Nancy and John (their names have been changed) live in the Sonrise Shelter, a private, faith-based nonprofit that provides solution-based ministry and assistance to the homeless and near homeless in the Houston metro area. On two Saturdays, April 12 and May 3, the Remodelers Council, an organization of the Greater Houston Builders Association, worked to improve the lives of Nancy, John and the other homeless individuals who have found a temporary refuge at the Sonrise Shelter. Ryan Boyles, with GB General Construction, led the RMC volunteers as they added a new entry room, which will be used to admit clients. They completed much-needed improvements, such as walls, lighting, electrical, flooring and paint to the living areas. Several Remodelers Council members enlisted their families as volunteers. A family working to help the homeless becomes a powerful force. “I’m not exactly sure what to say about the entire experience,” said Jordan Kirkpatrick, college student and daughter of member Jennifer Wall. “Helping build and paint a home for those people was almost like rekindling that sense of hope in their lives.” Kirkpatrick said, “I wanted to do so much more for them, to give them the clothes off my own back and to provide them the home life and family that I have been given.” Larry Abbott’s 15-year-old son, Noah, was surprised. “To see so many regular, everyday people in so much need of help,” he said. Noah, with instruction from his dad, Gil Boyles and Dan Bawden, “learned how to apply mass amounts of paint in a short time.” Describing his experience, Harrison Rivera, 16, son of Tamra Rivera, said, “Helping with the painting to make the shelter look fresh made me hope the residents will enjoy it. Knowing they would like it, made me feel good inside and know my contributions made a difference in someone’s life. I left there with pride.” It is with this pride the Remodelers Council wants to thank its members for volunteering materials and services, including: Craftsmanship by John; Dal-Tile Corp.; Ferguson Bath, Kitchen and Lighting Gallery; Fort Bend Publishing Group; GB General Contractors Inc.; Gullo Construction Inc.; Houston Direct Electric; Ibarra Painting; Ideal Consulting Services, J and I Construction; Legal Eagle Contractors, Co.; Lone Star Building and Construction Services; MaxiTile; Patrick Roofing; Remodeling Concepts Inc.; Sherry Pruitt Construction LLC; Stephen’s Home Repair Inc.; Detering Co. of Houston; BMC Building Materials; Bison, A Stock Building Supply Co.; and Third Coast Builders. This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. The Remodelers Council is dedicated to promoting professionalism and public awareness of the remodeling profession through education, certification and service to the Houston community. For information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net. To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, visit www.ghba.org. ]]>
