Renovation and Expansion at

HOPE House Youth Shelter
 

12 March 2008 - TW

HOPE House Youth Shelter in Crestview, FL has been undergoing renovation for several months now, including some expansion that will give the shelter a great deal more space.

HOPE (which stands for Hope Of Potential Empowerment) House was opened by Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) ten years ago to serve runaway youth in Okaloosa, Walton and surrounding counties. It also became a short-term shelter for youth in foster care in 2002.  Last year, the LSF youth shelter assisted 180 youth between the ages of 10 and 17.


FIRST PHASE: MORE THAN EXPECTED

The first phase of renovation took place last summer with what started out as a simple plastering project to replace aging and loose stucco on the two story building.

Bea Sutton, Dietary Specialist at HOPE House, took on the job of finding a contractor and receiving estimates for the work.  When she spoke with Eric McCormick of Jemco Plastering, Inc. of DeFuniak Springs, FL, he stated that he would donate the entire job.

“Eric related to Mrs. Bea that his father was a minister with a big heart who taught him by example to share his blessings with others,” said Cynthia Freshour, LSF Outreach Specialist for the area.

But once work crew began removing the old stucco, it became obvious that this project was going to require a lot more effort than expected.

Under the old stucco, “they found damage from termites in the columns decorating the front porch and said, ‘No problem, we will replace them.,’” reported Ms. Freshour.  “When they found some rotten wood around a couple of windows, they again said, ‘No problem, we’ll take care of it.’  When they discovered that the fascia needed to be replaced, they again said, ‘We will take care of it.’”

But these new and unexpected discoveries were going to require new materials, so Bea Sutton got back on the phone to find them.  Baker Metal Works & Supply of Baker, FL donated the fascia.  Ace Hardware and Lowes both donated building materials, and the Crestview Color Center donated paint, "making all the new problems quickly solvable,” said Ms. Freshour.

That still didn’t quite end the story, however.

“In another act of generosity, Eric McCormick looked at the wood siding upstairs on the second story and asked if it would be okay with us if they just went ahead and put stucco on the entire building, to create a better flow in the appearance and decrease future maintenance efforts and cost,” reported Ms. Freshour. “This time, WE said ‘No problem!’”

In the end, the simple stucco replacement project turned into much, much more, with donated costs covering more than $35,000 for the entire project!
 

SECOND PHASE: DREAMS COMING TRUE

The great cooperation for the stucco projected provided some incentive among HOPE House staff members to begin dreaming about having more space for youth and programs at the shelter.

“HOPE House had a very roomy screened porch on the side of the building that we have always believed would make a great dayroom,” said Ms. Freshour, “if we could just figure out how to get it closed in.”

So Bea Sutton again went to work during the fall contacting local engineers and contractors to begin designing the new space.  Work began in December and is expected to be completed in March.  When completed, the enclosed porch will give HOPE House a new day room for clients, as well as a new conference room and office space.

And when it comes to making dreams a reality, the resulting list of donated time and materials from Bea Sutton’s contact efforts was described by Cynthia Freshour as nothing less than “a miracle.”

Jim Weeks, from Weeks Engineering, volunteered his time to engineer the project and worked with the county to ensure that all building codes would be met and Kevin King with Custom Homes Remodeling of Crestview pulled the permit for the framers to start working. Eric McCormick from Jemco Plastering again sent his workers to frame in the enclosure and will donate the stuccoing when the time comes. Harrington Electrical Contracting is donating the labor for the electrical work.

Gordon Mechanical is donating the labor to do the duct work, with supplies donated by Remsco, Inc. Huff Companies will be donating the finishing work on the walls and ceiling. Supplies are also being donated by Crestview Wholesale, Hodge Brothers Lumber, Lowes, Southeastern Fashion Door, Gatlin Lumber, 84 Lumber of Milton, United Lighting & Supply Co., and Northwest Florida Window and Tint. KMS Phones will be donating the four phones needed, cable for the computers, and labor. Emerald Coast Building Materials of Valparaiso is donating the drywall. Nolan Company of Ft Walton Beach, Rexel Electrical & Data Com Applies of Ft Walton Beach and Dixie Electric of Pensacola are donating the electrical supplies.

Cynthia Freshour looks at this list of donors and can only say, “When God pours out blessings on you, be prepared to get really drenched in them!”

Many thanks to all those generous people who are helping to bring dreams into reality for the youth at HOPE House Youth Shelter.

Click on each picture above for a caption and a larger image.
 

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