To meet the growing need for emergency shelter and long-term transitional housing services for families impacted by domestic violence, Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence, while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, recently embarked on a $4.5 million Cornerstone Capital campaign to re-build its emergency shelter, and expand its transitional housing facility.
To commemorate the groundbreaking of the new emergency shelter facility, Laura’s House, in partnership with HomeAid Orange County, will host a ceremony on Thursday, March 10, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Portobello Road Resale Boutique, located at 23635 El Toro Road in Lake Forest.
“We are proud to partner with HomeAid Orange County in celebrating such an important milestone in our shelter re-build project,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “For many years now, this project has been a dream for our organization, and we are grateful to all of the individuals and businesses who are committing both their time and financial resources to make this dream a reality.”
In 2010, 269 individuals, including 152 children, received services through the Laura’s House emergency shelter program. The new emergency shelter will nearly double the number of beds, from 28 beds to 44 beds and 10 cribs, effectively increasing the shelter’s annual capacity by 93%, and enabling the organization to serve 175 additional clients annually. By expanding its emergency shelter, Laura’s House will also increase countywide capacity for serving individuals impacted by domestic violence by 15%.
The groundbreaking ceremony will begin with a light breakfast, followed by a flag salute from a local Boy Scout Troop, and then an inspirational invocation. The program will include comments by Margaret Bayston; Scott Larson, Executive Director for HomeAid Orange County; Laura Khouri, Chair, Laura’s House Board of Directors; and Wayne Pinnell, Chair, Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign. City and government officials from Lake Forest and surrounding cities are expected to attend the event.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, development and building partners for the shelter re-build project will be recognized and receive certificates of appreciation for their contributions to the success of this project. Among the more than 20 companies partnering with Laura’s House in the shelter re-build are Lutzky Associates Development, LLP; William Hezmalhalch Architects, Inc.; Huitt-Zollars, Inc.; GMU Geotechnical, Inc.; Option One Engineering; Salehi Engineering, Inc.; Western National Group Contractors; Style Interiors Design, Inc.; Fidelity National Title Company; Land Concern Ltd.; Focus 360; Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services; and, Philips & Associates.
“Through the Laura’s House shelter re-build project, HomeAid is excited to be a part of helping to fulfill the growing need for shelter services for families devastated by domestic violence,” said Scott Larson. “The strong partnerships that we have established with builders, contractors, developers and service providers will help to ensure that at the outcome of this project, women and children will be welcomed into a space that is both comfortable and conducive to helping them build lives that are free of domestic violence.”
Following the groundbreaking ceremony, Portobello Road will be hosting an open house to celebrate its move, a few doors down from its original location, and its second anniversary in Lake Forest.
About the Cornerstone Capital Campaign
The Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and expansion of transitional housing for shelter graduates. The campaign committee is chaired by Wayne Pinnell, who most recently served as the chair for Laura’s House board of directors. Honorary chairs of the Cornerstone Campaign are Bette and Wylie Aitken. Campaign committee members include Beth Adkisson, Chris Aitken, Jennifer Boyer, Laverne Friedmann, Randy Harmat, Wayne Pinnell, Casey Wolin and Brenda Zalke. The capital campaign has the full support of the Laura’s House Board of Directors..
For more information on the Cornerstone Campaign please call the Development Department at (949) 361-3775.
About Laura’s House
Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
