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Laura’s House Partners with HomeAid Orange County to Celebrate the Grand Opening of its Emergency Shelter

Laura’s House Partners with HomeAid Orange County to Celebrate the Grand Opening of its Emergency Shelter

Posted on November 17, 2011

On December 1, 2011, local government officials, business leaders, Laura’s House board members, project partners and the community will gather at Portobello Road in Lake Forest for a special ceremony commemorating this important milestone

LADERA RANCH, Calif., Nov. 17, 2011 – Laura’s House today announced that it will celebrate the grand opening of its emergency shelter for families impacted by domestic violence, in a ceremony to be held in partnership with HomeAid Orange County on Thursday, December 1. The event will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at Portobello Road Resale Boutique, located at 23635 El Toro Road in Lake Forest.

The Emergency Shelter Rebuild Project is part of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, a fundraising initiative that was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and the expansion of the Laura’s House Step Ahead transitional housing for shelter graduates. To date, more than $3 million has been raised toward the campaign goal. During the final phase of the campaign, which will begin in January 2012, Laura’s House will raise the final $1 million that is needed to fund the purchase of the building in which it will house its Transitional Housing program.

“HomeAid Orange County has done an amazing job in helping us realize our long-held dream of a new emergency shelter facility, and transitional housing for our Step Ahead program,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “We are delighted to partner with them in celebrating such an important milestone, and we are also grateful to all of the individuals and businesses who have committed both their time and financial resources to make this dream a reality.”

Construction of the Laura’s House emergency shelter has been completed, and residents are expected to move in following the Thanksgiving holiday.

In 2010, 269 individuals, including 152 children, received services through the Laura’s House emergency shelter program. The new emergency shelter will nearly double the number of beds, from 28 beds to 44 beds and 10 cribs, effectively increasing the shelter’s annual capacity by 93%, and enabling the organization to serve 175 additional clients annually. By expanding its emergency shelter, Laura’s House will also increase countywide capacity for serving individuals impacted by domestic violence by 15%.

The grand opening ceremony will begin with a light breakfast, followed by an inspirational invocation by Honorary Co-Chairs Bette and Wylie Aitken. The program will include comments by Margaret Bayston; Scott Larson, Executive Director for HomeAid Orange County; Laura Khouri, Chair, Laura’s House Board of Directors; and Wayne Pinnell, Chair, Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign. City and government officials from Lake Forest and surrounding cities are expected to attend the event.

During the grand opening ceremony, development and building partners for the shelter re-build project will be recognized and receive certificates of appreciation for their contributions to the success of this project. Among the more than 30 companies partnering with Laura’s House in the shelter re-build are Lutzky Associates Development, LLP; William Hezmalhalch Architects, Inc.; Huitt-Zollars, Inc.; GMU Geotechnical, Inc.; Option One Engineering; Salehi Engineering, Inc.; Western National Group Contractors; Style Interiors Design, Inc.; Fidelity National Title Company; Land Concern Ltd.; La Jolla Pacific; Morrow Management; Paskerian, Block, Martindale and Brinton, LLP; Focus 360; Constructor’s Bonding, Inc.; Firesafe Planning Solutions; Mestre Greve Associates; Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services; Phillips & Associates; PMC Consulting; Robert Rooks Photography.

Subcontractors and manufacturers who have partnered with Laura’s House include Aliso Air, Inc.; Capital Drywall; Boral Roofing; CPS Security Solutions; Fiber Care Baths, Inc.; Gateway Plastering; GE Appliances; Milgard Windows; Olsen Pavers; RSI Cabinetry; Smart Systems Technologies; Terra Tile; TLS Laboratories; Titan Sheet Metal, Inc.; Walker Windows; and, Yo Fire.

“HomeAid has enjoyed partnering with Laura’s House to expand its emergency shelter and transitional housing facilities to fulfill the growing need for shelter services for families who are devastated by domestic violence,” said Scott Larson. “The strong partnerships that we have established with builders, contractors, developers and service providers have helped to create a warm and welcoming environment where women and children can build lives that are free of violence.”

Following the grand opening ceremony, Portobello Road will be hosting an open house and will be open to the public.

About the Cornerstone Capital Campaign The Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and expansion of transitional housing for shelter graduates. The campaign committee is chaired by Wayne Pinnell, who most recently serves as the chair for Laura’s House board of directors. Campaign committee members include Beth Adkisson, Chris Aitken, Jennifer Boyer, Laverne Friedmann, Randy Harmat, Wayne Pinnell, Casey Wolin and Brenda Zalke. The capital campaign has the full support of the Laura’s House Board of Directors. Honorary chairs of the Cornerstone Campaign are Bette and Wylie Aitken.

More information on the Cornerstone Campaign can be found at www.laurashouse.org or by calling (949) 361-3775.

About HomeAid Orange County The founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between services providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date, the organization has completed 47 developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families. www.homeaidoc.org

About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.

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On December 1, 2011, local government officials, business leaders, Laura’s House board members, project partners and the community will gather at Portobello Road in Lake Forest for a special ceremony commemorating this important milestone

LADERA RANCH, Calif., Nov. 17, 2011 – Laura’s House today announced that it will celebrate the grand opening of its emergency shelter for families impacted by domestic violence, in a ceremony to be held in partnership with HomeAid Orange County on Thursday, December 1. The event will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at Portobello Road Resale Boutique, located at 23635 El Toro Road in Lake Forest.

The Emergency Shelter Rebuild Project is part of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, a fundraising initiative that was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and the expansion of the Laura’s House Step Ahead transitional housing for shelter graduates. To date, more than $3 million has been raised toward the campaign goal. During the final phase of the campaign, which will begin in January 2012, Laura’s House will raise the final $1 million that is needed to fund the purchase of the building in which it will house its Transitional Housing program.

“HomeAid Orange County has done an amazing job in helping us realize our long-held dream of a new emergency shelter facility, and transitional housing for our Step Ahead program,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “We are delighted to partner with them in celebrating such an important milestone, and we are also grateful to all of the individuals and businesses who have committed both their time and financial resources to make this dream a reality.”

Construction of the Laura’s House emergency shelter has been completed, and residents are expected to move in following the Thanksgiving holiday.

In 2010, 269 individuals, including 152 children, received services through the Laura’s House emergency shelter program. The new emergency shelter will nearly double the number of beds, from 28 beds to 44 beds and 10 cribs, effectively increasing the shelter’s annual capacity by 93%, and enabling the organization to serve 175 additional clients annually. By expanding its emergency shelter, Laura’s House will also increase countywide capacity for serving individuals impacted by domestic violence by 15%.

The grand opening ceremony will begin with a light breakfast, followed by an inspirational invocation by Honorary Co-Chairs Bette and Wylie Aitken. The program will include comments by Margaret Bayston; Scott Larson, Executive Director for HomeAid Orange County; Laura Khouri, Chair, Laura’s House Board of Directors; and Wayne Pinnell, Chair, Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign. City and government officials from Lake Forest and surrounding cities are expected to attend the event.

During the grand opening ceremony, development and building partners for the shelter re-build project will be recognized and receive certificates of appreciation for their contributions to the success of this project. Among the more than 30 companies partnering with Laura’s House in the shelter re-build are Lutzky Associates Development, LLP; William Hezmalhalch Architects, Inc.; Huitt-Zollars, Inc.; GMU Geotechnical, Inc.; Option One Engineering; Salehi Engineering, Inc.; Western National Group Contractors; Style Interiors Design, Inc.; Fidelity National Title Company; Land Concern Ltd.; La Jolla Pacific; Morrow Management; Paskerian, Block, Martindale and Brinton, LLP; Focus 360; Constructor’s Bonding, Inc.; Firesafe Planning Solutions; Mestre Greve Associates; Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services; Phillips & Associates; PMC Consulting; Robert Rooks Photography.

Subcontractors and manufacturers who have partnered with Laura’s House include Aliso Air, Inc.; Capital Drywall; Boral Roofing; CPS Security Solutions; Fiber Care Baths, Inc.; Gateway Plastering; GE Appliances; Milgard Windows; Olsen Pavers; RSI Cabinetry; Smart Systems Technologies; Terra Tile; TLS Laboratories; Titan Sheet Metal, Inc.; Walker Windows; and, Yo Fire.

“HomeAid has enjoyed partnering with Laura’s House to expand its emergency shelter and transitional housing facilities to fulfill the growing need for shelter services for families who are devastated by domestic violence,” said Scott Larson. “The strong partnerships that we have established with builders, contractors, developers and service providers have helped to create a warm and welcoming environment where women and children can build lives that are free of violence.”

Following the grand opening ceremony, Portobello Road will be hosting an open house and will be open to the public.

About the Cornerstone Capital Campaign The Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and expansion of transitional housing for shelter graduates. The campaign committee is chaired by Wayne Pinnell, who most recently serves as the chair for Laura’s House board of directors. Campaign committee members include Beth Adkisson, Chris Aitken, Jennifer Boyer, Laverne Friedmann, Randy Harmat, Wayne Pinnell, Casey Wolin and Brenda Zalke. The capital campaign has the full support of the Laura’s House Board of Directors. Honorary chairs of the Cornerstone Campaign are Bette and Wylie Aitken.

More information on the Cornerstone Campaign can be found at www.laurashouse.org or by calling (949) 361-3775.

About HomeAid Orange County The founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between services providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date, the organization has completed 47 developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families. www.homeaidoc.org

About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.

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