Building Industry Creates "Magical Makeover" at Concord's Crisis Nursery

Online, May 26, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Concord--What started as Concord's De La Salle High School's (DLS) 'Healing Spaces' program to renovate a room or two at the Bay Area Crisis Nursery (BACN) in Concord has inspired a full home makeover by the building industry charitable group HomeAid and homebuilder Brookfield Homes. The project is inspiring, uplifting news for the two battered sectors, the non-profits and the home building industry, and is perhaps even a harbinger of more prosperous times ahead. The makeover is valued at over $50,000 dollars and is a true gift from the building industry to the small non-profit focused on children from high-stress families.

DLS's Healing Spaces program focuses on high school students executing small, local renovations as service projects. Sensing a greater need, however, Healing Spaces Manager Sharon Gerlach enlisted the help of HomeAid (www.homeaidnc.org). HomeAid was created and is supported by the building industry to address and solve the problem of homelessness. The HomeAid model mobilizes members of the building industry to donate labor, materials and expertise, allowing the service provider to concentrate on funds for services.

Inspired by the Nursery program, Brookfield Homes (www.brookfieldnorcal.com) joined the project's team as well. "When we heard of the Healing Spaces project at the Bay Area Crisis Nursery, we knew it was something we wanted to be a part of," stated John Ryan, president of Brookfield Homes Bay Area. "Brookfield Homes works hard to offer great homes to today's homebuyers, and an essential part of that is building community. We couldn't be happier to contribute to this community by helping to create a new and comfortable place for children in need. It was a truly inspiring experience for all of us."

As a key builder of Windemere in San Ramon as well as several upcoming neighborhoods in San Jose and Dublin, Brookfield contributed site management, supplies and labor to the cause. Helping locally and giving back is important to Brookfield Homes, one of the nation's largest homebuilders.

With all hands on deck, the project consisted of a full renovation of the interior of the home, including a new kitchen, appliances, two baths, interior doors, flooring, painting, window treatments and more. The project began Monday, April 16 and was completed by the end of April.

The Bay Area Crisis Nursery (www.bacn.info) provides temporary care for children of families that are overwhelmed by crisis or stress. With the main BACN facility housing up to 20 children a day, ages five years and under, a second home Dahlstrom House provides care for children six to 11 years of age. Dahlstrom House is the recipient of the cooperative makeover.

The purpose of the Bay Area Crisis Nursery is to prevent abuse and neglect of children by providing support to families who are in stress or crisis. Our primary service is providing a warm, loving, homelike environment for children from birth through 11 years of age by offering 24-hour residential care. This service is free, confidential and voluntary.

For more information about BACN's services, how to volunteer or donate, call 925-685-6633 or visit www.bacn.info.

To learn more about Brookfield Homes, please visit BrookfieldNorCal.com or call 925-743-8000.