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HomeAid Northern Virginia

Colin Davis, executive director at the Transitional Housing BARN, really wanted new playground equipment for the shelter that routinely houses up to 12 families at a time.

But with the seemingly endless costs associated with operating the shelter and meeting the needs of its families, his budget simply wouldn’t allow it. Rather than give up on his dream, he contacted HomeAid Northern Virginia, a non-profit that leverages the resources of the homebuilding community and its corporate partners to build and renovate homeless shelters, transitional houses, food banks, medical clinics, counseling centers, and other facilities that help homeless people.

Christy Eaton, executive director at HomeAid Northern Virginia, reached out to the local building community and quickly recruited Cunningham Associates and Game Time to bring in new play equipment, as well as Builder Captain Miller & Smith and a team of 23 trade partners to renovate the 15-year old building.

The $220,000 project, 77 percent of which was donated, ultimately included new playground equipment, a re-graded playing surface, a concrete bicycle track, landscaping and a remodeled deck. Inside, trade partners redesigned and renovated the kitchen, which included new appliances, flooring, countertops and cabinetry; replaced carpet throughout the facility, and repainted.

“Thanks to all of the contributions from HomeAid and its partners, our hope for a better playground snowballed into this massive, amazing, quarter-million-dollar project that completely exceeded our expectations,” Davis said. “It was a huge commitment of time and resources, and when you factor in the materials and the time and talents of all these people, you realize Miller & Smith’s and HomeAid’s amazing ability to leverage funds. We couldn’t have done it without them, and we’re so grateful.”

HomeAid Northern Virginia has completed 56 projects, with a total investment of $10 million, over the last 10 years in the Northern Virginia community.

To support the work of HomeAid Northern Virginia, designate your gift to #8244.