“Volunteers at Work” signs were visible all over the Portland Metro area on Saturday, November 12
th. For the sixth year in a row, teams of volunteers went out into the community armed with paintbrushes to make a difference in the lives of Portland’s homeless. The Home Builders Foundation organized teams of volunteers at six local shelters where we were able to provide much needed coats of paint for non-profit service providers that often have very small budgets for maintenance for their facilities. We had the added benefit this year of having a volunteer professional paint contractor at each of the sites to help oversee the teams and of course we are thankful for the generous paint and supply donations of our sponsors
Miller Paint, Rodda Paint and Parr Lumber.Bill Swenson of Miller Paint and ZB Chaberski of Forum Painting took on the long hallways of Kateri Park, which provides affordable housing to low-income families and individuals as well as the formerly homeless. Adam Havens led the Rodda Paint team at the Volunteers of America- Marie Smith Center which gives day shelter to low-income seniors, adults with disabilities, and those special needs that require personal care and health monitoring. Josh Voigt of Sundeleaf Painting helped with the work at the Portland Rescue Mission’s women and children’s shelter, Shepherd’s Door where they painted several resident rooms, a computer lab and a children’s play room. Jamie Pepiot with Pepiot Painting took on a large project at the Portland Rescue Mission’s Burnside Shelter, where a large group of 20+ volunteers painted several resident rooms and multiple doors in the facility. Nancy Long of Sisu Painting and a member of the Professional Remodelers Organization led a group of mostly professional painters at Jean’s Place, a women’s shelter that also provides education and employment training, mental health and life skills. They worked in some tight places, but the team was done in record time!Improving the lives of those who call a shelter “home” is what Painting a Better Tomorrow is about. It’s an opportunity for volunteers from the home building community to use their skills, invite their friends, and give back to those in our community who need it most. Since its start in 2006, volunteers have given over 8000 hours of community service through the Painting a Better Tomorrow event. If you’re looking for a way give back, please contact HBF Executive Coordinator Brenda Ketah for upcoming volunteer opportunities.
THANK YOU to the following teams/individuals who volunteered this year:
Alpha Phi Alpha, CIDA, Designers Edge Kitchen and Bath, Home Builders Association, Professional Remodelers Organization, Lakeside Lumber, Lawyers Title, Legend Homes, Miller Paint, Polygon Homes, Rodda Paint, Sussman Shank LLC and Washington Federal. 
