BrightView + Landsea Homes: Support for Valley’s Foster Youth
Outdoor space has become a hot commodity, especially since early 2020, when the world shuttered for some time as we learned to navigate a global pandemic. And nowhere is open, outdoor space more valuable than when it’s accessible to those living in tight quarters.
Knowing this, and understanding our desire at HomeAid Phoenix to partner with organizations serving youth and children experiencing or at risk for experiencing homelessness, we were excited about the opportunity to work with Foster Arizona for our most recent Care Day Project.
Foster Arizona is a local non-profit organization focused on educating, empowering and encouraging Arizonans to positively impact the lives of young adults transitioning out of foster care.
And at HomeAid Phoenix, we’re hopeful that this Care Day Project connection — which utilized the skills and expertise of building industry professionals and volunteers — does just that.
Why?
An estimated 25% of youth who age out of the foster care system will experience homelessness within the first few years of leaving the system. There is a large need for safe places where young adults can gain stability living independently while learning real-life skills needed to be successful long-term.
As part of its mission, Foster Arizona offers transitional housing for youth who qualify. One residence in particular, a triplex in Mesa that can serve up to 12 young men at any given time, needed a dose of thoughtful design and upgrades.
The outdoor space for the triplex had seemed unfinished.
“There was an opportunity to create some more thoughtful outdoor space,” said David Rummel, HomeAid Phoenix board member and senior project manager at BrightView. “It might not seem like a big deal, but really it is when you have 12 guys in this one space.”
To pull off a reimagined outdoor space, HomeAid Phoenix tapped into the generosity of the Valley’s homebuilding industry, bringing BrightView and Landsea Homes on board for the project. BrightView managed the landscape design and technical aspects, while Landsea Homes harnessed the power of volunteers to plant greenery, assemble newly-donated gas grills and help place about 20 tons of landscape rock around the property.
The addition of gas grills, a new bike rack, pavers, patio furniture and new trees infused the space with more opportunity to gather outdoors — something the residents were hoping for.
“This project really transformed a space that was needed but wasn’t quite working for these young men, We’re grateful to the professionals and volunteers, the time and effort given, and the new connection we’ve made with HomeAid Phoenix. This thoughtful project shows the young men living in this triplex that people care about them and their welfare, and that is an invaluable takeaway.”
