TUSTIN, CA (July 2003) Special to: Builder & Developers Magazine Submitted: June 26, 2003 for July, 2003

Oltmans Construction puts final touches on 7,500 square foot concrete slab, the first new construction at the Tustin Marine Corp Air Station. The Village of Hope, developed by HomeAid Orange County will serve homeless families and will be operated by care provider, Orange County Rescue Mission. The Village of Hope is the largest shelter development in Orange County history and is slated to be a model for future closed military bases nationwide.

Village of Hope Builder Captain, Whittier-based Oltmans Construction recently poured the long anticipated first foundation using supplies and labor donated by Holliday Rock, American Rebar, Rebar Engineering, Minegar Conco Pumping, and J&D Finishing Co. This particular slab pour is generating a great deal of enthusiasm as it serves not only as the literal foundation for the project, but also provides tangible evidence of the initial stages of a dream long in the making. Orange County Rescue Mission president, Jim Palmer and numerous supporters have waited more than seven long years to see the fruition of their collective vision. For them and all of those who have given so much, the installation of this seemingly simple 7,500 square foot collection of concrete and steel is exciting indeed.

The utilization of various trades and suppliers, like those donating to this segment of the project's construction, is the core of the partnership model used to process all of HomeAid's shelter developments, and is the reason that more than 6,000 Orange County homeless men, women and children were provided with shelter in 2002. Without the collaboration approach to shelter development typically led by the project Builder Captain – who in turn recruits consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, and associates – there may well be little or no facilities available to house programs such as those provided by the Village of Hope's care provider, Orange County Rescue Mission.

The Village of Hope banner is proudly displayed on Red Hill in Tustin as a beacon for those homeless families needing a place to begin again.

When completed, the Village of Hope, a 130,000 square-foot facility designed by Gensler and Axcess Architects will house a kitchen; dining areas; a donation intake warehouse; and an 8,000 square-foot auditorium, along with support office space designed to serve as the nucleus for the site. Additionally, the renovation of the top two floors of the existing barracks will provide living quarters in configurations of single and family spaces, while the ground floor will accommodate medical offices, dental offices, vocational training, and childcare.

Located on Red Hill near Barranca Street in Tustin this multi-purpose development is by far the most ambitious undertaking in HomeAid's successful history. Established by the leadership of the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California in 1989, HomeAid is charged with the mission of building and renovating shelters for temporarily homeless Orange County residents. The ultimate goal of the Building Industry's charitable outreach is to add to the number of available beds that will eventually serve a variety of populations including abused children; victims of domestic violence; women in crisis pregnancy; adults living with HIV/AIDS; the mentally challenged; and those families and individuals who find themselves homeless as a result of job loss or catastrophic illness.

There are nearly 28,000 homeless men, women and children - many of them the working poor - trapped in destitute motels; living in cars; or making their homes in cardboard boxes on affluent Orange County streets. These people face many challenges and issues, and although each person's story differs in circumstances, experiences, and life choices, many common threads are woven into their plight. Not the least of these issues is a dire need for shelter - a safe place where they can begin again.

The Village of Hope along with the 34 other completed HomeAid Orange County shelter developments are making headway in addressing this growing need, but there is still a very long way to go. For information on how you can help, or learn more about the Village of Hope, please call HomeAid Orange County at (949) 553-9510 or visit the website at www.homeaidoc.org, or contact the Orange County Rescue Mission at (714) 258-4450 - www.villageofhope.org.