Builders at Bat for HomePlate
While a construction crane beeped overhead, a Rick’s Custom Fencing and Decking crew drove posts into the ground this spring in front of HomePlate Youth Services new building in Beaverton. HomePlate Executive Bridget Calfee says the project is really coming together. “We couldn't have done it without Home Builders Foundation and the fantastic donations of time, plants, fences, etc.”! The building remodel will triple the organizations capacity to offer drop-in services for houseless youth.
Rick’s is a new partner for us at HBF, donating materials and a crew so cedar fencing will wrap around the new garden exterior of the former church building.
In the meantime, trucks rolled in with pallets of native plants and sod for the grounds. JB Seed and Pacific Landscape Services made a generous donation of materials. Additional funding came from a grant by the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, supplying permeable pavers and native plants to ensure the landscape protects the environment.
Lennar Portland wanted to volunteer at one of our projects, so HBF Project Manager Chris McDowell asked them to help landscape HomePlate.
McDowell prepped the Lennar staff, “We’ve been working on this project for close to six months, and we are clearly as you can see, close to the tail end. We build shelters for people experiencing houselessness and vulnerable populations…we reduce the costs for the shelters so they can spend more money on people they help”.
The 20-member team pulled on garden gloves, grabbed shovels, and got to work. Some had to hack their way through heavy soil to dig holes for the fledgling plants. Another team shoveled an enormous pile of bark mulch, bringing wheelbarrows into the planting area. Many hands make light work, and just before a big rain storm, it was quitting time. Lennar's Mallory Morettini tells us they were honored to help. "Knowing we can make a positive impact in the lives of the houseless youth of Beaverton is greatly satisfying. Yes. We were sore the next day, but it was all worth it!”
The landscape will also include cedar raised garden beds, built by students from the Reynolds Learning Academy. The students in this construction trades program had toured the site earlier this year, and completed the raised beds back at the classroom after receiving lumber from HBF. The program’s Director Angie Gilbert explains “We love helping you, what you do is important”.
Walsh Construction won the contract for the bulk of the $2 million project, with some of the interior features contributed by HBF supporters. Ridgecrest Custom Cabinets donated cabinetry, and Contract Furnishing Mart the green tile surround. Globe Lighting contributed several industrial -styled fixtures. Donated time and materials from the building industry save service providers between 30-70% on the portion of shelter projects HBF facilitates.
Late April, the adjacent building HomePlate will use for offices got a new roof. HBF thanks Bliss Roofing and National Women in Roofing, along with Owens Corning Roofing, Beacon Building, Interstate Roofing Inc, RoofLine Supply & Delivery, Lake Oswego Roofline Supply & Delivery and Dealers Supply. Like most of our projects, HomePlate is a collaboration between HBF and the many generous people in the Portland home building industry.
HomePlate Executive Director Calfee says she is very excited about the results “The site work was the last piece that is really making this dream a reality. It looks amazing and we can't wait to welcome youth into this wonderful garden space”. Washington County young people who are at risk, or who are houseless will enjoy the new grounds as they come to HomePlate for counseling, showers, food, and a sense of belonging. The youth served here contributed their design choices, selecting a soft gray paint, and soon, a purple front door to welcome them when the building opens. A dedication ceremony including our HBF partners is set for September.