HomeAid Portland partners with CBRE for a "BuildDay" at Community of Hope

CBRE employees in Portland partnered with HomeAid Portland/Home Builders Foundation, for a "BuildDay" for Community of Hope, an organization dedicated to empowering single parent homeless families towards stability.Each year, hundreds of CBRE employees plan and participate in Shelter Program projects, like this one, across the country. The Shelter Program initiative is part of CBRE Cares, the company’s corporate philanthropy program. Approximately 15 Portland CBRE employees participated in the BuildDay, which provided a new deck and garden area for Hope House. Construction took place in May and involved weeding and planting new garden beds, construction of a new deck and awning, and adding new bark along the path towards the deck and in the garden. Internally, the CBRE team worked with contractors to replace the doors on all of the resident suites, providing a more stable, private environment for families in the shelter as they follow the path towards stability.“For the past two days, everyone has gathered on the deck for dinner and time together in the evening. It is a huge gift to have the kids playing outside and the moms getting to visit. Thanks again for all you have done. It is beautiful!” said Linda Jo Devlaeminck, Program Manager for Community of Hope.The BuildDay garnered significant support from the community as well. All plants, soil and bark were donated by Pacific Landscape Management, who also provided two workers to assist in the build. Lakeside Lumber offered wood for the deck at a significantly reduced cost, and donated the finish to stain the wood. Finally, Chamber Bros. and Pacific Crest Structures donated time and materials for the installation of the doors throughout the building.“The volunteers from CBRE Portland were fantastic to work with. It was a great partnership and we look forward with working with them again on future volunteer projects,” said Brenda Ketah, Project Manager for HomeAid Portland/Home Builders Foundation.“This is our second time participating in a BuildDay for Community of Hope,” said Scott Weigel, Portland CBRE Cares Chairman. “Our employees are very passionate about our city and happy to take any opportunity to give back to the community when we can.