The $370,000 grant is part of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, a $4.5 million fundraising initiative supporting the expansion of the Laura’s House emergency shelter and Step Ahead Transitional Housing facility
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Oct. 6, 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 it has received a $370,000 grant from the Children & Families Commission of Orange County (CFC).
The CFC grant is in support of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, a $4.5 million fundraising 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 partnering with HomeAid Orange County in the shelter rebuild project. To date, the campaign has raised more than $3 million.
“The Children & Families Commission’s goal is to ensure all children are healthy and ready to learn when they enter kindergarten,” said Sandy Barry, Chair of the Children and Families Commission of Orange County. “We know that a basic component to a child’s success is a safe and stable home environment and our partnership with Laura’s House will help bring critical programs and services to children and families who need it most.
“Laura’s House is grateful to the Children & Families Commission of Orange County for supporting us in the expansion of our emergency shelter and transitional housing facilities for women and children who are fleeing violent homes,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “Their support, along with the generosity of many other private donors, foundations and corporate sponsors is making it possible for our organization to better meet the growing need for domestic violence counseling and shelter services in Orange County.”
Incidents of violence in Orange County are on the rise. During 2010, 25% more women, 60% more children sought an end to the violence they experience in their home lives, when compared to the previous year. During that same year, Laura’s House provided emergency shelter services to 269 individuals, including 152 children. The new emergency shelter effectively increases the shelter’s annual capacity by 93%, and enables 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%.
“HomeAid is pleased to help Laura’s House in achieving its long-held dream of expanding its emergency shelter and transitional housing facilities," said Scott Larson, Executive Director, HomeAid Orange County. "We are committed to leveraging our strong partnerships with builders, contractors, developers and service providers to help organizations like Laura’s House provide shelter to those who are temporarily homeless. We are excited for the women and children who will be welcomed into a space that is both comfortable and conducive to helping them build lives that are free of violence."
Among the 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.
More information on the programs and services offered by Laura’s House is available at www.laurashouse.org.
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 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.
# # #