Our ninth and final Night at the Ballpark has passed, and it’s a feeling of such bittersweet happiness. Year after year, the event brought joy to the families who could – at last – enjoy a worry-free night out together. Kids get to go home with brand new backpacks for school. One year, our event lined up with the stadium’s “pets at the park” night, giving kids the extra joy of being around dogs and enjoying the extra therapeutic boost that animals have on so many of us. We’ve witnessed kids throwing out the first pitch, running the bases, high-fiving players and the team mascot, watching in awe as fireworks burst over their heads, and laughing with their families as they sat in the bleachers on a summer night. This year, we had an overwhelming response for tickets swelling to over 400 requests from 18 of our non-profit partners, and although the extreme heat kept some away, we still welcomed kids and their families, along with staff. It was another fantastic, albeit hot, night. Sadly, the Potomac Nationals are moving their operations further down the road, to Fredericksburg, which means this tradition has come to an end. We will be working to line up something similar for next year, and our memories of family fun will live on, as will our recognition that offering events like this can feel as important as providing safe, stable homes. Yes, the physical and emotional supports that a home offers cannot be overstated, but we must also recognize the value of the emotional boost that families experience when they have the opportunity to do something that a lot of us take for granted. These are the moments they’ll remember, and these are the kinds of moments they’ll strive to repeat and offer to their own kids in the future. Thank you to all who have made our Night at the Ballpark possible these past nine years. You’ve made a difference that will last a lifetime.
With Gratitude,
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It was our ninth and final year to host HomeAid Northern Virginia’s Annual Night at the Ballpark on Saturday, July 20, and after two years of rain complications, 125+ people braved the intense heat to join us and make priceless family memories at Pfitzner Stadium. As has become our tradition, we welcomed parents and kids, as well as individuals including adults and seniors, from local shelters and other non-profit programs for a Potomac Nationals baseball game followed by fireworks, with the first stop for most being our HomeAid booth, where kids got to select a brand-new school backpack from the hundreds that our supporters collected over the summer. Next, they moved on to enjoying free concessions from the ballpark stands; met the Nationals mascot, Uncle Slam; cheered on the Nationals; and ran the bases after the game.
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And, another shout-out to all our Backpack Donors – NVBIA’s Custom Builders Council, Van Metre, Thompson Greenspon, Walsh Colucci Lubeley & Walsh, and Buhl Electric Co., Inc.
Thank you for helping put smiles on the faces of all the kids who attended our event!
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HomeAid Northern Virginia, Builder Captain Touchstone Custom Homes, and 15+ trade partners have finalized the first phase and are ramping up on the second and third phases of a $100,000+ renovation project at a 5,184-square foot building owned by A-SPAN, an Arlington-based organization that seeks to eliminate homelessness in Arlington County and offer support and stability to the region’s most vulnerable. A-SPAN also provides free medical services for homeless Arlington residents at the Homeless Services Center (HSC).
The team’s three-phase project has primarily focused on repainting and replacing the flooring inside the building; building an office, handicapped accessible bathroom and community room in the basement where staff and clients can meet; and refreshing the exterior and installing a patio for tenants to enjoy.
“The building dates back to the 1950s and hasn’t had much work done to it over the years,” said Clint Woodson, manager at Touchstone Custom Homes. “The interior, especially in the hallways and foyer entrance, really needed attention, and we’re using low-maintenance materials to ensure that its upkeep is more sustainable for A-SPAN. The other work – in the basement and outdoors – will really make the facility more useful for staff and tenants, while also just adding some quality of life through landscaping, a garden, gathering space outside, and beautification work.
“We’ve been connected with NVBIA since about 2013 [where we learned about HomeAid] and have wanted to work on HomeAid projects, but as a smaller builder, we hadn’t found the right fit,” he added. “This project is right in our neighborhood and it really made sense to step up and help them out. We’re glad to be a part of it and look forward to finishing it up soon!”
Kathleen Sibert, president and CEO of A-SPAN, noted that the improvements will greatly enhance the organization’s ability to provide onsite supervision and support to their most vulnerable clients – days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
“Outside, the team is adding raised-bed gardens, a trellis to offer shade, a patio, bench seating, and landscaping,” she added. “All will offer much-needed therapeutic time. It’s really going to be amazing, and everyone working on the project has just been incredible. This whole effort is totally in keeping with our mission and what we aim to do with this property. Having a home to be proud of is so important for our clients who would otherwise not be successful finding housing due to medical or mental health issues and who rely on supportive housing situations. These apartments are leased in their own names, but being able to offer this level of onsite support and supervision will allow them to live more independently. We are so excited and grateful for this gift!”
Touchstone Custom Homes, HomeAid, and the team of trade partners hope to finish the project soon.[divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”1″ divider_color=”accent-color”]
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Join us on the links to compete, network, and support HomeAid!
Friday, September 20, 2019
7:00 a.m. Check-in
8:00 a.m. Shotgun start
Presented by John Darvish Construction and Darvish Interiors
HomeAid Northern Virginia’s 5th Annual Golf Tournament is fast approaching – on Friday, Sept. 20 at Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club – and there are only a couple foursomes left! Avoid disappointment and register today to join 144 players for one of our biggest summer networking and business-building events.
You can also get involved and be part of this prime networking day through sponsorships!
In addition to putting your company name front and center and helping support our mission of building and renovating homes for those experiencing homelessness in Northern Virginia, all of our golfers and sponsors can look forward to:
Breakfast sandwiches
For our golfers, we will also offer:
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When Steve Alloy of Stanley Martin Homes first joined the board of Alternative House in 2001, Northern Virginia’s only emergency homeless shelter for teens, he discovered it in disrepair because all of the money they were able to raise went toward programming for the kids. With his background in homebuilding, he remembered thinking, “This is crazy; I know a bunch of guys who can make this place feel more like a real home,” so he tried to organize a builder effort to renovate the teen shelter. Around the same time, Beazer Homes’ former Local President Don Knutson heard from the chairman of Beazer Homes – who at the time also served on the HomeAid America national board – that HomeAid America was hoping to start a chapter on the east coast.
And with that, eureka! Knutson and Alloy realized both dreams could come true; they could both renovate Alternative House and launch HomeAid Northern Virginia.
HomeAid America founded its first chapter on the East Coast here in conjunction with NVBIA. Of course, the success of every chapter depends enormously on the leverage found from having a deep bench of homebuilders and trade partners in the region who are willing to work on charitable projects – which is why chapters start as part of regional Building Industry Associations. In the 18 years since, HomeAid has grown to become an independent nonprofit, operating as a chapter of the national HomeAid America network yet maintaining close ties to NVBIA and its network of builders and trade partners, many of whom have worked on HomeAid projects. Together, the organizations have supported each other’s events and efforts: NVBIA remains a top funder of HomeAid – raising nearly $41,000 in 2018, while HomeAid also has an active presence at NVBIA events, which helps raise awareness. All of this has given HomeAid a strong base of support which has enabled HANV to complete 141 renovation and construction projects on homeless shelters and supportive housing facilities, valued at more than $16.8 million, and saving shelters 60 percent on construction costs.
Want to know more? Visit HomeAid America and NVBIA online!
Special thanks to the following NVBIA member builders that have supported HomeAid projects:
ACE Carpentry * Arlington Designer Homes * Augustine Homes * Beazer Homes * BOWA * Bozzuto * Brookfield Residential * CalAtlantic Homes * CarrHomes * The Christopher Companies * Craftmark Homes * Creekstone Communities * Drees Homes * Evergreene Homes * EYA * HITT * John Darvish Construction * Kettler * K. Hovnanian Homes * The Knutson Companies * Lennar Homes * Lincoln Property Company * M/I Homes * Madison Homes * Michael Harris Homes * Mike Garcia Construction * Miller & Smith * NVHomes * NVBIA Custom Builders Council * Old Europe Construction * Patowmack Homes * Pulte Homes * Richmond American Homes * Robinson & Thayer * Sagatov Associates * Schwartz Enterprises * Stanley Martin Homes * SugarOak Corporation * Toll Brothers * Touchstone Custom Homes * Van Metre Homes * Velasquez Contractor, Inc. * Winchester Homes
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Steve Alloy, president of Stanley Martin Homes, co-founded HomeAid Northern Virginia along with Don Knutson, during a time when NVBIA’s charitable committee gave away about $5,000 per year, and NVBIA members participated in charitable activities independently from the association. Realizing that if everyone could work together and pull in the same direction, they could take all the independent work that was being done and give it a much more pronounced impact. At the same time, communities around the region could realize how much the homebuilding industry gives back. It was with that philosophy that HomeAid Northern Virginia was born, and Steve has served on its Board of Directors ever since. This month, due to increasing work travel that precludes his ability to regularly attend HomeAid Board meetings, he has made the difficult decision to step down and create space for others. Thank you, Steve, for your passion, commitment, guidance, and contributions over the last 18 years. We know we will all continue to learn from you!
Q: What do you think one of the most important “ingredients” was to HomeAid’s early success?
A: The most important early success factor was engaging the production builder presidents and executives. The initial board consisted of leaders who had influence in their organizations and who had relationships with the owners of many of the large trade partners. This allowed HomeAid Northern Virginia to be seen as a “priority” for a very large number of companies. And, as each company touched a HomeAid project, they had an outstanding experience and gained a really strong commitment to continuing with HomeAid Northern Virginia and even expanding their volunteer activities.
Q: HomeAid has rolled out some new initiatives over the years; what are your views about these supplemental programs that are outside of the “build and renovate” houses focus?
A: I am a big supporter of these types of initiatives. Since HomeAid is the official charitable arm of NVBIA, these efforts enable people who may not be able to directly work on a renovation/expansion project the ability to still connect with activities to help people in need. This not only increases engagement across our industry, but it also allows us to positively impact an ever-larger number of people in need.
Q: What have you found most challenging about homelessness in Northern Virginia?
A: As I have studied and worked on this issue, the disappointing recognition is that we cannot actually fix it. We can make a huge difference and help more people, but unfortunately there will always be people who for a variety of reasons experience homelessness. The good news is that we can help people transition to housing more quickly and, as importantly, provide better, more dignified facilities that help ease the challenges people confront.
Q: During your time on the Board, what are you most proud of?
A: I am most proud of the scale of the impact of HomeAid. We started HomeAid with a small group of volunteers and one project. Today, HomeAid has a large board, dedicated staff, and a strong reputation for making a difference in our communities. It is both amazing and wonderful to see how far the organization has grown and the extraordinary impact it has had on so many people’s lives.[divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”1″ divider_color=”accent-color”]
HomeAid Doing Our Part in Chapter Expansion Efforts
Kristyn Burr, HomeAid Northern Virginia’s executive director and CEO, joined Robin Arnett, HomeAid America’s chapter development director, at the National Association of Home Builders’ management conference in Baltimore, Md. The event, held July 23-26, gave Burr and Arnett the opportunity to educate attendees about HomeAid’s mission, share information and promote chapter expansion efforts, and answer questions about the organization from both a local and national perspective. It was a great opportunity to spread the news of HomeAid’s efforts and meet potential future supporters! HomeAid America was a conference sponsor.
Care Package Collection
The Women in the Building Industry will be collecting items to put into care packages to hand out to the homeless community.
Items to be collected include:
You may drop off items at the HomeAid office (3684 Centerview Drive, Suite 110B
Chantilly, Virginia) throughout the month of August. Members of WBI will get together to assemble the packages on August 26th between 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Additional dates to follow with distribution to the homeless community.
For further questions on this event or to assist with the care packages, please contact Jenn Keesling at JKeesling@vanmetrehomes.com.
Team Building by Bowling!
With new faces in the halls of HomeAid Northern Virginia and NVBIA headquarters, it was time to get everyone together for some team building fun! Staff from both organizations met up at Bowl America in Chantilly last week, enjoying the chance to get to know one another in a completely relaxed environment. While staff frequently work together on joint industry efforts, this was the first time in a long time that the only task at hand was some good spirited competition and conversation.
NVBIA Crab Feast – Thursday August, 22, 2019, 3:30 p.m., The Farm Brewery at Broad Run (Collecting diapers for HomeAid Northern Virginia Builders for Babies Initiative!)
K Hovnanian Golf Tournament – Friday, September 13, 2019, Westfields Golf Course, Clifton, VA (All proceeds benefit HomeAid Northern Virginia!)
5th Annual HomeAid Golf Tournament – Friday, September 20, 2019, 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Raspberry Falls Golf & Hunt Club, Leesburg, VA
NVBIA Oyster Roast – Thursday, September 26, 2019, 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 1801 Potomac Shores Parkway, Dumfries, VA (Collecting diapers for HomeAid Northern Virginia Builders for Babies Initiative!)
NVBIA Great American Living Awards (GALA) – Thursday, October 10, 2019, 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, McLean, VA
NVBIA Food Truck Festival – Wednesday, October 23, 2019, 3:00 p.m., Ferguson Enterprises, Chantilly, VA
HomeAid Northern Virginia 18th Annual Gala & Auction – Saturday, November 9, 2019, 6:30 p.m., Lansdowne Resort and Spa, Leesburg, VA
In this newsletter:
Executive Director & CEO Corner
Celebrating Summer, Family, and America’s Favorite Pastime
Touchstone Homes Leads First HomeAid Project at A-Span
Golf Tournament Nearly Sold Out – Only TWO Foursomes Remain!
NVBIA and HomeAid: Partners Since Day One!
HomeAid Co-Founder Steve Alloy Takes a Look Back
