As you will read about in this issue of Building Hope, we began the new year with one of my favorite activities: celebrating the completion of another meaningful project with a ribbon cutting ceremony. At $21,445 which was 100% donated by our Builder Captain, Trade Partners, and HomeAid, this project focused on renovating and updating a single-family home owned by Good Shepherd of Northern Virginia, highlighting our ability to deliver impactful results across varying project sizes.
If there’s one thing, I’ve learned during my time at HomeAid, it’s that our projects can create life-changing outcomes for the people they serve. The mom and teenage sons will now be living in a beautiful space they will get to call home. A place where they can build new memories, find comfort, and begin to heal. Starting their year in a space that provides stability and dignity offering them more than just a roof over their heads; it will provide a foundation for hope and a sense of belonging. This home represents a fresh start in an environment that feels safe, welcoming, and supportive.
The dedication, commitment, and generosity that our Builder Captains and trade partners continue to pour into these projects. That reality was no different at today’s ribbon cutting, as Builder Captain Lennar, which has completed four projects with us since 2012, once again ensured that 100% of the project’s cost was donated in full. That, in turn, allows Good Shepherd to focus their precious resources where they’re needed most.
I’m excited for the year ahead and having the opportunity to start it off in such a positive, impactful way is such a wonderful gift to the entire HomeAid team. Thank you for continuing to work with us, support our mission, and make these moments possible. Happy New Year!
With gratitude,
Bryan Guidash, managing shareholder, Prince William County, Virginia Office, Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C., has been named 2025 president of the HomeAid National Capital Region Board of Directors. One of Guidash’s earliest experiences with HomeAid came when he joined a small group to deliver essentials to a “tent city” in Prince William County, an experience that had a large and immediate impact. “I realized that HomeAid was something I should be a part of,” he said. “I had been looking for a way to get more involved in my community and give back, and taking part in something that had such immediate and clear results caught my attention.”
It confirmed in his mind that he had made the right choice to join the Board, eventually serving as Secretary in 2023, Vice President in 2024, and now as President.
“I didn’t see myself taking on a leadership role like this, but the more I got involved, the more I realized there’s more I want to do here,” he added. “My predecessors have done a tremendous job, they’ve set a great example, and I plan to continue on the path they have led us. I would like to explore some ideas about making our Board even more efficient and increasing individual commitment and participation. As part of that change, I’d love to see more opportunities for volunteers to serve on committees and participate in some of the other programs and initiatives we offer to our nonprofit partners. That way, we could potentially have another layer of service to complement our Board. Along with that, I’d love to see HomeAid continue to grow and strengthen, while growing the Builder commitment in leadership roles. There are so many opportunities, and I’m honored to lead HomeAid in 2025.”
Guidash will be joined on the Executive Board by John Darvish (John Darvish Construction), vice president/president-elect; Worth Jenkins (DRB Homes), secretary; Rick Cole (The Long Companies), treasurer; Alicia Skoug (Drees Homes), At-Large Member; and Tom Twomey (Stanley Martin Homes), immediate past president.
When you register for GolfAid, to be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., you’ll be doing a whole lot more than networking with top builders and trade partners, teambuilding with colleagues, and enjoying TopGolf Loudoun’s 34 climate-controlled bays. In addition, you’ll be helping HomeAid transform spaces and providing nonprofits with the essential resources they need to better assist our neighbors, grow their critical programs, and have a lasting impact on the people they serve.
Sign up today and join us in raising awareness and making a difference in our community – and yes, take advantage of the fun and business-building that comes with this always-fun event! To ensure that we’ll offer what suits you best, we’re again offering two types of registrations – one for golfers, which offers full access to everything the event has to offer including three hours of unlimited golf, and one for networkers, which offers access to great food, drinks, and networking (no golf).
All funds raised will directly support upcoming projects. Help us give new hope to those experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including kids, single moms, veterans, intellectually disabled adults, and countless others who are coming out of crisis and need a hand up.
Today HomeAid National Capital Region, Builder Captain Lennar, 10 trade partners, and nonprofit partner Good Shepherd of Northern Virginia, cut the ribbon on the front porch of our most recent project at Mary’s House of Hope. The renovation project – 100 percent of which was donated by HomeAid and partners – served to transform the three-story, four-bedroom home into a safe and dignified transitional home for women and their teenage sons for years to come.
The $21,445 project included updating the bathrooms, a fresh coat of paint, new lighting, luxury vinyl plank flooring, an improved staff living space, and an enhanced exterior with landscaping and a cleared area for a community garden to encourage family connections.
This marks the 3rd project HomeAid has completed for Good Shepherd of Northern Virginia, which seeks to see individuals and families set free from homelessness; to live in safe, affordable, and permanent housing; and to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency.
Thank you, Lennar and trade partners, for donating your time, expertise, and materials to this important project!
Metro Stone Works, a family-owned and operated countertop company founded in 2003, has been working with HomeAid since 2017. The company, which specializes in custom fabrication and installation of natural stone, has helped transform eight homes with HomeAid, Builder Captains, and other trade partners and has given countless individuals a beautiful, dignified place to call home. This month, we sat down with Owner Nicholas Powers to find out a little bit more about the company’s willingness and interest in providing their expertise, labor, and resources to so many of HomeAid’s nonprofit partners.
Q: What has inspired Metro Stone to keep working with HomeAid?
A: A few of the builders we work with are involved with HomeAid, serving as Builder Captains on the projects. I believe our first project was with Richmond American, and since then, we have teamed up on many more, and we will continue to say, ‘Yes!’ on any and every projected we are asked to do. There is huge gratitude in contributing to these projects; being able to see the ‘before and after’ at any project is amazing! It’s awesome how everyone involved works together and, most importantly, how it makes others’ lives better.
Q: If another trade partner was considering getting involved with and supporting HomeAid, what would you tell them?
A: I would 100 percent recommend supporting HomeAid in any way possible. My involvement is just a tiny fraction of what goes into HomeAid projects, but even so, the joy of seeing the end product and how it improves lives is priceless.
Q: What have you been most surprised to learn about homelessness since your involvement with HomeAid began?
A: Honestly, just some of the statistics of how many in our area struggle with homelessness or the threat of homelessness is eye-opening. We’re honored to be able to help, and we’ve found it incredibly rewarding to work with HomeAid.
Thank You
A grateful round of applause to everyone who so generously donated to our Home Essentials Drive this year! Together, we collected hundreds of items for families and individuals moving out of homelessness and into housing. Thank you Groupe, K. Hovnanian, Lennar, Miller and Smith, Mosaic Tile, and Sun Design for making a difference this holiday season!
Save the Date(s)!
We’re filling our calendars for 2025, and we’d love it if you’d fill your own with the same dates! Please make plans to join us – and mark your calendars now for some of our biggest events of the year:
GolfAid – March 13, 3:30 -6:30 p.m.
Builders for Babies Diaper Drive – May 11-June 15
Builders & Friends BBQ – June 26, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
HomeAid’s Golf Tournament – September 19, 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Gala & Auction – November 15, 6:30-10:00 p.m.
What Are Care Days?
Have you been intrigued to hear about Care Days – hands-on volunteer service days during which volunteers come together to give back to local HomeAid nonprofit partners – but you’re not really sure whether it’s the right fit for you? Be sure to check out this recent video we created, where you’ll see Care Day volunteers hard at work and hear directly from nonprofit partners on why their work matters. Want to learn more? Contact Tammy Glasser!
GolfAid
Thursday, March 13, 2025
3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
TopGolf Loudoun
20356 Commonwealth Center Dr.
Ashburn, VA 20147
