Lyon a supporter of both the Village and the Ranch projects was interested in assessing the Village of Hope programs led by Jim Palmer president of the Orange County Rescue Mission, the nonprofit that will ultimately provide programs for the Mustard Seed Working Ranch located in Warner Springs. An area of interest for Lyon focused on the prospect of cultivating a relationship between military factions and at risk youth.

Located on Red Hill near Barranca Street in Tustin, the Village of Hope, led by Builder Captains commercial builder, Oltmans Construction; William Lyon Homes; Lennar Communities; and John Laing Homes consists of a 130,000 square-foot multi-use facility designed by Gensler and Axcess Architects that houses 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 top floor renovation of the existing barracks will provide living quarters for homeless men, women and children in configurations of single and family spaces, while the lower floors will accommodate medical offices, dental offices and vocational training.

Unlike most other shelter developments The Village of Hope, slated for completion in the fall 2005, will provide living areas where families can stay in tact as they move from homelessness toward self-sufficiency.

This shelter development, slated to become a national model of successful base re-use planning is the result of a multi-entity collaboration. The dynamic partnership efforts of care provider, the Orange County Rescue Mission; HomeAid Orange County and its team of Builder Captains; the Building Industry Association; the City of Tustin; and a host of other individual and corporate contributors is a clear demonstration of how to utilize private and public partnerships to successfully redevelop closed U.S. military bases to help the homeless.

For information call (949) 553-9510 or visit www.homeaidoc.org