Building "Roots" in the Community
Building “Roots” in the Community
In the fall of 2010, HBF spearheaded a phased-renovation project for Bradley Angle’s emergency domestic violence shelter, Bonnie Tinker House, located in N Portland under the leadership of Rupp Family Construction. The renovation provided upgraded security and living spaces and an overall safe, warm, and inviting atmosphere for families served. In an effort to continue building our relationship with Bradley Angle, HBF took on its Healing Roots Center as an additional “Care” project for 2011 to build much needed shelving and improved security for donations of food and personal care products to their community outreach facility. HealingRoots Center is a drop-in facility located in an area with a high percentage of African American, Native American and immigrant residents. Healing Roots focuses on culturally specific services for African and African American women and their children and other cultural groups who are survivors of domestic violence. Access to computers, on-site mental health, alcohol and addiction support, culturally specific support groups, empowerment through creative art and referrals to housing, case management, health, legal and other services are provided. Through this safe haven in their own community, women heal and empower themselves to become advocates for their families, communities and themselves. “We’re thrilled to build a strong partnership with Bradley Angle for this project, and for years to come. Their services are essential to our community, vital to survivors of domestic violence,” said HBF Executive Director, Mel Duncan. “Our role is to leverage the resources of the home building community to repair and enhance their emergency shelter. Our synergy allows them to direct their resources to the domestic violence survivors that we both serve.” Jeff McKenzie, of JDM Construction, was the shelving project lead and enlisted the help of Spencer Hinkle, an instructor at Portland Community College, along with several cabinetry students. A big thank you also goes out to Neil Kelly for their help with the edge banding for the project and Parr Lumber for providing the shelving materials. “We are so appreciative of the support we've received from you all; these improvements directly impact and improve our ability to provide services to survivors of domestic violence,” says Missy Kloos, Community-Based Services Manager with Bradley Angle. This project was a perfect example of how the HBF works together with local non-profits to serve the community.