Builder Captain Schwartz Enterprises, led by long-term HomeAid Northern Virginia Board Member Barry Schwartz, and nine trade partners have just put the finishing touches on the final HomeAid project of the year, with a $15,000 renovation of one of Cornerstones [formerly Reston Interfaith] townhomes.

Improvements to the two-bedroom townhouse condominium, used as transitional housing for no- or low-income families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, included: repainting the entire interior; replacing carpet, wood laminate and ceramic tile throughout; replacing the hot water heater, bath and kitchen faucets and showerheads, toilet shut off valves and exterior hose bibs; installing new door hardware; replacing all smoke- and carbon monoxide detectors, ground fault breakers in bathrooms, exterior outlets and all interior light fixtures; inspecting the HVAC system and replacing all grills and registers; refreshing the front and rear yard mulch beds and replacing the foundation plantings; and cleaning the entire home top to bottom.

“We accepted this assignment just a few weeks ago,” said Schwartz, “and even though the building industry is very busy with end-of-year deliveries, we and our team of trade partners felt it was equally important to move a family into this home in time for Thanksgiving. So with just a few weeks’ notice, our team—without hesitation—jumped on this project and completed it a week before the holiday. It was an amazing opportunity to give back to a homeless family that would otherwise have nowhere to go.”

“This project will help a single working mom and her young children gain stability, as we will now be able to provide her with case management services to assure her ability to retain housing, employment betterment if needed, and other basic financial services and referrals for food, clothing, medical and dental need,” said Tim McMahon, vice president of housing for Cornerstones. “Barry Schwartz and his company again came to the foreground in graciously assisting us for the benefit of our clients … Barry and team are certainly community champions!” 

“We of course also have a great relationship with HomeAid,” McMahon added, “that has allowed us to repeatedly turn to them for help when we have a new unit coming online or when one turns over and we need some help. They’re an incredibly responsive organization, and we’re very grateful.”