Photo: Cal Winslow, CEO; Brandon, Honor Home Resident; Riverside County Supervisor Chuck Washington; Todd Bourguignon, Lennar; Greg McGuff, Lennar Regional President and Rancho Damacitas Board of Directors
The Lennar-led Honor Home project was completed and opened on Friday, March 23, 2018. The Honor Home is a part of the Project Independence, a program of the local nonprofit Rancho Damacitas Children & Family Services targeting young adults with a history of foster care and child abuse.
Under the leadership of Lennar, over 40 Trade Partners, companies, and community organizations came together to build a house where deserving young people can live in a stable home with resources to help them get on their feet and achieve independent adulthood. The 3,200 square foot home features 5 bedrooms with a private bathroom and a separate two-bedroom apartment housing the live-in mentor.
Greg McGuff, Regional President of Lennar and Member of the Board of Directors of Rancho Damacitas, was the visionary for the Home and worked hard to bring it to completion. “We are so excited to see these young people walk down the path toward success.” McGuff commented during the event. Also attending the celebration was Riverside County Supervisor, Chuck Washington and Mayor of Murrieta, Johnathan Ingram, representatives from the Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce, and many other trade partners and supporters.
The Honor Home will have the capacity to house five young adults.
Residents are selected based on their ability to complete the lower level of the program by successfully maintaining employment, continuing their education, and managing their personal finances for the past year. Brandon, one of the youth present during the Honor Home Dedication and one of the first residents, is a currently studying Political Science and recently found a full time position with a local company. Brandon was thrilled with the opportunity to meet Supervisor Washington, Mayor Ingram and other Council Members and looks forward to the opportunity to learn more from their experience. Brandon will continue to pursue his career and work full time while living at the Honor Home.
Financial support to complete the home was provided by Lennar, DeLuz Women’s Club, Murrieta Development, In-N-Out Burger Foundation, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Exit Alliance Realty, Southwest Healthcare Auxiliary, and many other caring individuals all committed to helping former foster youth receive opportunities to grow and thrive. The project was also possible thanks to the generous support of over 40 Trade Partners including PCS Professional Cabinet Solutions, Blake Roofing Inc., OC Hills, Up On The Roof, Inc., Ortega Construction, and Leonard Roofing, Inc..
Founded in 1983, Rancho Damacitas is a local nonprofit that offers four unique programs targeting at-risk families and young adults empowering them become self-sufficient, thriving, and contributing members of our community. The Project Independence program was started in
2012 and currently has three homes housing 14 young adults all 100% employed.
For more information on Rancho Damacitas, please visit http://www.4kidsfirst.org/ or call (951)302-2317.