November 18, 2009
Collaboration is key to our work at Good Shepherd Housing. (In fact, we embody these principles in our mission statement.) I can point to a recent, and very successful, example of collaboration in our partnership with HomeAID Northern Virginia, a nonprofit organization supported by the local homebuilding community and dedicated to renovating homeless shelters and homes.
Some years back, Good Shepherd purchased two 30-year-old townhouse units in Lorton. Since then, both of these have provided safe and suitable housing to our client families. At the same time, the units were beginning to show their age—especially in the roofs for both units and in the exterior fencing and interior railings at one of the units.
HomeAID Northern Virginia was able to help us with needed renovations for these units. Through its alliance with John Darvish Contruction, an Ashburn-based roofing contractor, we were able to have the two roofs replaced over a period of two days.
In addition, another HomeAID participant, CarrHomes, a Fairfax-based home builder, replaced the interior stair and guard railings, making both extra secure for our tenants. CarrHomes also helped to replace an exterior fence, which had been in much disrepair for some time. Take a look at the photo of our spanking new fence!
Finally, Piedmont Energy Analysis conducted an energy audit on the two units. We hope to take its recommendations on energy efficiency to the next level by replacing the windows with thicker and stronger glass.
It was through the efforts and generosity of HomeAID Northern Virginia— through what was a great collaborative effort with its home builders and contractors—that our tenants have better and more fit accomodations. We thank them for their work. We can only hope that future partnerships with nonprofit organizations like HomeAID Northern Virginia will materialize.
