Friday, February 11, 2011

Laura's House Partners with HomeAid Orange County to Celebrate Groundbreaking its New Emergency Shelter for Families Impacted by Domestic Violence



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.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Tom Doyle Joins HomeAid Orange County Board of Directors


HomeAid Orange County announced the appointment of their newest board member, Tom Doyle, founder and principal of Whittlesey Doyle a full-service land brokerage and advisory firm based in Irvine, Calif.

A licensed California real estate broker and a graduate of the University of California, Irvine, Doyle has more than 20 years experience in residential and investment land sales to homebuilders and developers. Prior to establishing Whittlesey Doyle in 1996, Doyle was a principal with Province Realty Group where he developed brokerage service programs as well as creating marketing and advertising campaigns. From 1988 to 1994, he was vice president with First Interstate Bank leading the real estate division where he managed the disposition of more than $150 million in real estate assets.


A dedicated marathon runner, Doyle is a member of the UCI Alumni Association, Phi Delta Theta Alumni Association, Building Industry Association and ULI. In addition to Doyle’s philanthropic work with HomeAid, he is active with Orangewood Children’s Foundation.


Doyle resides with his wife and family in Cota de Caza, Calif.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

HomeAid Partner - The Teen Project Works to Provide Homes for Youth

In California 20,000 to 25,000 youth are homeless. More shocking statistics - 65% of foster youth emancipate without a place to live. HomeAid's 46th housing development built for The Teen Project provides a home and family support system for young women who have aged out of the foster care system. The average stay in the program is 24 months. The residents live in a stable environment with guidance and structure provided by professional staff. The ultimate goal for each young woman is to become a productive, independent and self-sufficient adult.


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

DealGooder™ HEARTS HomeAid

DealGooder.com


Have Fun. Do Good. Help Others. This is the core philosophy that drives DealGooder™. HomeAid is honored to be selected as one of their featured charities.

Beginning Monday, November 29 through Sunday, December 12 HomeAid will receive HALF of the profits from their sales.

Who is DealGooder™? It is a fantastic new website that features incredible daily discounts on fun things to do in Orange County like restaurants, spas, etc.

It is easy to be involved. Visit http://www.dealgooder.com/ and sign up for free. You'll be able to view unbelievable deals.

Our goal is to raise $1,000. We can do it with your support.

Find holiday gifts and treats for yourself. Invite your family, friends, co-workers, etc. to sign up for DealGooder™AND know that you are helping to raise funds to build housing for homeless families and individuals.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

TWR Framing - A commitment to excellence and a will to succeed.

TWR Framing has just released the first segment of their "Commitment to Excellence" video series. You'll see TWR Framing is a company committed to providing the best framing services to their clients while maintaining the highest level of integrity in their work.

HomeAid Orange County is honored and proud of their more than 20 year relationship with this outstanding company. HomeAid's service provider partners have experienced their commitment to excellence in the multiple HomeAid projects TWR has framed throughout the community. In addition to the major role they've played on many Project Playhouse builder teams. Because of TWR Framing's generous support hundreds of homeless families have been given the opportunity to have a safe and stable place to call home while they work to rebuild their lives.





TWR Framing : History from Andrew Oakes on Vimeo.



Friday, October 29, 2010

Congratulations to Hayes Martin Associates, Inc. - Takes Top Honors at 2010 SoCal Awards

Congratulations to HomeAid board member Sandy Keedy, President and Creative Director of Hayes Martin Associates, Inc. and her entire agency team on receiving multiple awards at the 2010 SoCal Awards presented by the Sales & Marketing Council/Southern California (SMC) of the Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC).

Read more here...


L to R: Tenoka Hudson, Michele Linaweaver, Rich Jamison, Sandy Keedy, Lori Takahashi and Camilla Wade

Monday, October 25, 2010

Laura's House Building New Emergency Shelter


HomeAid Orange County is proud to be part of the building development team working on Laura's House new emergency shelter. Read more about the project in Marie Ekberg Padilla's article in The Orange County Register