Builders Care survives and provides despite hard economic times [The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville]

Dec. 28--Inez Green is so thankful that Builders Care was there for her that she wants to give the nonprofit a gift herself.

Despite a bad economy that has reduced the number of major renovations done by the charity arm of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, Builders Care volunteers fully rebuilt the 82-year-old woman's Jacksonville home.

Now the once boarded-up house -- where she spent days sitting on its porch after a May fire, then nights with family and friends -- is reborn.

"You don't know what it means to be out of your house. All of the children grew up in this house. I was just so hurt," Green said. "When I really get myself back together, if there is anything that I can volunteer and do for Builders Care, I am going to do it. I can learn how to paint."

That desire to help others has kept an organization that used to do 100 full home renovations a year alive as those numbers dropped significantly in recent years.

In fact, the volunteer spirit is even more apparent these days, said executive director Chris Simons, one of two paid staffers in an office that once had 12. They are "picking up steam with a much skinnier staff" as they do lots of smaller renovations on top of major projects, like the current rebuild of a home on Vernon Street.

"Volunteerism has gone up since people don't have the ability to write the check like they used to," he said. "We still live in a caring community, and they will come out on volunteer days and give their talent if they can't give their treasure. We still need funding, of course we do. We still run a construction company. You can't accomplish that without volunteers."

The Builders Association founded Builders Care in 2001. The community outreach program saw builders, suppliers, subcontractors, bankers and real estate agents

volunteering to help elderly, disabled and disadvantaged people who could not afford construction services. The work was funded by state programs, grants, fundraisers and community donations. It works with organizations like Legal Aid, Urban Jax, the Independent Living Resource Center, Jacksonville's disabled services and code enforcement offices and Meals on Wheels to find people who need help.

But as the housing industry faced a recession slump, so did Builders Care. Faced with about 10 telephone calls a day from people requesting help, Simons said some have to be turned down. While some receive help like a new roof or wheelchair ramp, others are referred to church, public or civic groups or are put in a database for the future, he said.

One who received help was Green, whose home of more than half a century was so damaged that insurance would only cover some repairs and none of her furniture or clothing.

Then builder Frank Crumley, who remembered her working in his school cafeteria when he was young, saw her crying in a credit union. She had just learned her insurance wouldn't cover much, so Crumley called Builders Care, Executive Director Chris Smith said.

And they did wonders, Green said.

Making a foundation

Other recent renovations include 49-year-old Mark Lamb's home. Paralyzed by an infection, the former mechanic, body builder and church deacon's Arlington home was redone in September to be wheelchair-accessible. Doors were widened, the front patio turned into a architecturally pretty ramp, the bathroom rebuilt so Lamb could get his wheelchair in, and a rear deck added for him and his dog.

It was "truly a blessing," said his wife, Tracy.

"It's beyond words. I literally would not be able to have my husband home if they had not come to our rescue and literally pulled us out of a hole," she said.

"He was a very active, outgoing person, and now he can't do anything. So just being able to be home and do the few things he can, like go outside watch the dog and maneuver and not be stuck, is just huge."

Lamb's home was done with the help of Universal Design Solutions and the University of North Florida's construction management department.

Builders Care volunteers have begun a new project in Grand Park, a total rebuild of a "blighted" green cinder-block home donated from an owner in Pennsylvania, Smith said.

Volunteer contractors were removing its old roofing last week after rotted carpet, sinks and other old features in the two-bedroom house were removed. A new driveway, walkway, furniture and appliances will be installed after repairs are done to its walls and roof. The agency is seeking a local family to move in by late winter and make a low monthly payment.

"Our mission is to provide no-cost construction for seniors and disabled citizens, but we can also help a young struggling family get on their feet since a home is a good foundation for a community," Simons said.

The ground-up renovation is less than a block from another home that received a new roof, air conditioning, windows and bathroom -- one of 1,000 Builders Care projects done in the past decade, Smith said.

dan.scanlan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4549

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