Laura’s House announces a challenge grant from Bette and Wylie Aitken and George and Julia Argyros
Posted on December 5, 2011
Through the grant, the Aitkens who serve as honorary co-chairs of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, and the Argyros’s will each match donations toward the campaign, up to $100,000
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Dec. 1, 2011 – Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence, while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse, today announced a that it has received a challenge grant from local philanthropists Bette and Wylie Aitken and George and Julia Argyros. The grant is part of the $4.5 million Cornerstone Capital Campaign, an initiative launched by Laura’s House in September 2010 to raise money to rebuild its emergency shelter, and expand its transitional housing facility for families impacted by domestic violence.
“Laura’s House is grateful to the Aitkens and the Argyros’s for supporting Laura’s House in rebuilding or emergency shelter and expanding our transitional housing program,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “Over the course of the campaign, the Aitkens have generously served as honorary co-chairs of the campaign, and been instrumental in helping us raise the much needed funds to provide families who are fleeing from abusive homes, with a safe and comfortable place to begin rebuilding their lives free of violence. George and Julia Argyros have also served as steadfast supporters of our organization, and with their help, as well as that of the many other individuals and businesses who have committed both their time and financial resources to this project, we are finally able to make this dream a reality.”
To date, more than $3.5 million has been raised toward the campaign goal. During the final phase of the campaign, which begins in December, 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.
During today’s commemorative grand opening celebration for the emergency shelter rebuild project, the Aitkens and the Argyros’s will be acknowledged for their contributions to the Cornerstone Capital Campaign. This grand opening ceremony is being held in partnership with HomeAid Orange County at Portobello Road Resale Boutique, located at 23635 El Toro Road, Ste. F in Lake Forest.
The grand opening celebration will also recognize development and building partners for the shelter re-build project, who will each 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.
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%.
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 served as the chair for Laura’s House board of directors. Campaign committee members include Chris Aitken, Jennifer Hannigan Boyer, Laverne Friedmann, Randy Harmat, Wayne Pinnell, Kurt Ross, 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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