Back to Article List
AAGD Community Service Committee challenges members
AAGD Community Service Committee challenges members
Step up in 2008!
In an earlier issue of AAGD Rooflines,AAGD’s Community Service Committee presented The Family Gateway Center as our Community Service Project for Spring 2008. Shortly after our article appeared, we were informed that a decision had been made for the building we had selected – to be sold sometime in 2008. The pending sale of the building placed this organization outside our selection criteria. Therefore, we have shifted our focus to another outstanding organization in need of our attention.
The recipient of our community service efforts in 2008 will be the Reconciliation Outreach Ministries in Dallas, Texas (www.rodallas.org). Reconciliation Outreach Ministries is a member in good standing of the Evangelical Counsel for Financial Accountability (ECFA). These organizations qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status, and receive tax-deductible contributions to support their work.
It is the mission of Reconciliation Outreach to establish and maintain a strong Christian community within inner cities, and to provide a safe and loving environment for healing lives, restoring families and individuals to a productive lifestyle. Their passion for the poor is changing lives and changing our city by teaching stewardship and hard work to break the cycle of poverty and dependence.
The efforts of the 2008 AAGD Community Services Committee will focus on three residential homes owned and operated by Reconciliation Outreach. The occupants of this transitional housing must complete a nine-month residential program for men and women who have life controlling problems such as addiction, homelessness, criminal history and behavioral dysfunctions. The program provides intensive rehabilitation within a supportive therapeutic faith-based community that is designed to increase self-respect, self-sufficiency and to regain control over their lives.
There are three homes located on North Peak that service the transitioning program participants. Each home is single-story, and in need of interior and exterior renovation. The homes hold some historical value, but are not subject to the approval of the Dallas Historical Society.
Homes located at 1513 and 1517 N. Peak are both in need of new roofs, including decking. This represents the single most expensive line item for each of these two homes. Other exterior repairs include siding and trim replacements, window replacements, building skirt replacements and exterior paint.
The home located at 1521 North Peak is on a corner lot. Minor repairs and new paint will make an immediate and dramatic improvement to the property and surrounding neighborhood.
There is no lawn irrigation currently. Adding irrigation and plant material will improve the property considerably.
A wooden ramp used for wheelchair access at 1517 North Peak is rotting and clearly not to ADA code standards. Our scope includes the construction of a new ramp at this location.
Additionally, the storefront of the administrative buildings located at the intersection of Bryan and North Peak are in need of minor repairs and painting. This phase of work is ideal as a group effort by volunteers.
While the repairs may seem aggressive in size, they are typical of the types of projects faced by multifamily operators. With proper coordination, we know that we can achieve our goal of completing these repairs. Some items, such as the roofing, will require the assistance of professionals. We will be looking to our industry suppliers and professionals to dedicate the time and materials necessary.
Behind the houses we found a small play area in need of upgrading. A general clean-up followed by the installation of additional playground equip-ment or sandbox and security lighting will greatly improve the quality of life of the program participants.
In asking our membership to assist, we suggest that a property can adopt a “square of roofing” at $250 each; or that they may help cover the cost of paint at $75 per five-gallon bucket. Property members can adopt a new window or door if they are not able to physically volunteer. Ultimately, we will schedule a weekend when we can all assemble and participate in painting, fence repairs, landscape improvements, etc. It promises to be an event worth attending. You’ll be hearing more about it over the next month.
Needs/Wish List
Roofing
(Tear-off, new decking, flashing, drip edge, boot jacks)
1513 North Peak
1517 North Peak
Carpentry
1513 North Peak
1517 North Peak
1521 North Peak
Painting
1513 North Peak
1517 North Peak
1521 North Peak
Landscaping
(All three homes can be irrigated as one)
Irrigation
New plantings
Paint Picket Fencing
Playground Area
Equipment upgrades
Play area mulch
New sand box
Security lighting
Other Needs
HVAC condensers
ADA Ramp
Clearly, the needs here are great. Fortunately for Reconciliation Outreach, so is our commitment. If you have questions, comments or want to be the first to contribute, please contact us at the numbers listed below:
Jim Goodman
Co-Chairman
Community Services Committee
214-707-7339
Mark Frazier
Co-Chairman
Community Services Committee
214-724-6611
Steve Carpenter
Apartment Association of Greater Dallas
972-385-9091
Back to Article List
