Foundation rallies industry leaders around Cordero House

The partnership to rebuild a local shelter for abused, at-risk teens is attracting a strong team of industry leaders.

Home Builders Foundation Director Mel Tashima Duncan recently announced the Foundation’s HomeAid rebuild of Cordero House has earned the support of the North West Society of Interior Designers, a noted group of design professionals who have committed to donate supplies and labor for the project.

Cordero House is operated by Portland-based Janus Youth Programs. The 5,071 square-foot facility, built in 1915, provides abused teens a home, community-based rehabilitative services and access to on-site education through Washington County. Like most HomeAid projects, Cordero House runs on a tight budget and could not afford to make the sorely needed expansion project a reality.

“Cordero House provides a safe and nurturing environment for young people trying to rebuild their lives,” Duncan said. “We’re excited about the continued strong support from the building community and HBA leaders, but there remains plenty of opportunity for our trades, suppliers, and additional contractors to get involved with this worthy cause.”

The expansion project includes two additional bedrooms and an accompanying bathroom/shower, a large family treatment room, significant overhauling of the kitchen/eating area, expansion of the rear porch area to accommodate a new therapist’s office and bathroom, a new covered porch and reconfiguration of two new building entrances.

The renovation will increase livable space and expand the family treatment space, by 993 square feet and increase the facility’s program capacity from 12 to 14 young people, without affecting operational costs.

The Home Builders Foundation directs the philanthropic efforts of Portland’s home building community. HomeAid, the Foundation’s shelter development program, plays a significant role in expanding the capacity of partner care providers to grow their programs, enhance livability and meet the needs of the thousands of homeless individuals and families in the Portland Metro Area.

The Foundation’s HomeAid program brings community resources to help repair and expand community shelters who otherwise would find the costs prohibitive if not impossible. The Foundation & HomeAid are the bridge between the home building community and homeless care providers.

HomeAid’s goal is to rely on community support, working to have at least 50 percent of each project’s materials and labor donated from various sources. Partners presently on-board to rebuild Cordero House include:  Energy Trust of Oregon, NW Society of Interior Designers, Chown Hardware, Central Air, Globe Lighting, Lamps Plus, Bradlee Distributors, Standard TV & Appliance, Miller Paint, Quadrant Systems, Jim Fisher Roofing, Chelsea Audio Video, Paragon Stone & Tile, United Tile, Red’s Electric, NW Tree Specialists, AACT Alarm Systems, H & S Drywall, ProBuild.

Project Builder Captain Jim Feild, owner of Progressive Builders NW, said he is still actively seeking more partners from the home building community.

“The need for temporary housing is an issue we care deeply about and one that the building industry can help remedy,” said Feild. “Our earlier projects, Haven House and Hearthstone, were huge successes. With this new project, Cordero House, we are looking forward to once again harnessing the building industry’s time, talent and materials to help these at-risk youth.