Sandcastle Homes Teams with HomeAid on ‘Caring Safe Place’ Project

Sandcastle Homes teamed up with HomeAid Houston to remodel a transitional living facility for A Caring Safe Place, an agency that provides crisis intervention services for men living with HIV who are also victims of drug abuse, abandonment and abuse.

“We are grateful to HomeAid and of course Sandcastle Homes who graciously volunteered to serve as the Builder Captain. These renovations will assist the agency in furthering its mission to provide life impacting services to vulnerable populations within the homeless community.”Reverend Stanley Phill, A Caring Safe Place

Mike Dishberger, Sandcastle’s CEO and co-owner, was the project’s builder captain and also worked with his purchasing manager, Nicole Keown, to provide renovations that included remodeling the kitchen with new countertops and backsplash and installing new appliances, new driveways and parking areas. The team also repaired and replaced portions of the flooring, applied fresh paint, both interior and exterior, and made repairs to the roof and trim work. A dedication ceremony was held May 2 to honor the vendors and trades.

Speakers at the dedication from A Caring Safe Place were Rodney Wilson, 2017 board president; Stanley Phill, executive director; and a special address by A Caring Safe Place resident. From GHBA, Casey Morgan, CEO and from HomeAid, Bette Moser, executive director. Builder Captains Mike Dishberger and Nicole Keown also spoke and presented appreciation awards to the vendors.

Also on hand were Houston City Council Member Mike Knox and Shandenia Gay from Council Member Amanda Edward’s office.

Additional guests from the City of Houston were: Keith Bynam, assistant director; Melody Barr, assistant director; Dean Carter, compliance manager; Brenda Takahashi, CHDO administration manager; Krystal Schultz, relationship manager; Roman Martin, management analyst; Billati Olaoye, management analyst; Maria Garcia, administrative assistant; and Lester Whiteing, marketing.

“We are honored to have been selected as one of the charities for HomeAid Houston’s 2017 renovation projects,” said Reverend Stanley Phill with A Caring Safe Place. “We are grateful to HomeAid and of course Sandcastle Homes who graciously volunteered to serve as the Builder Captain. These renovations will assist the agency in furthering its mission to provide life impacting services to vulnerable populations within the homeless community.”

A Caring Safe Place has experience developing, constructing, and operating a Transitional Living Program as well as a Permanent Supportive Housing Program. They have been providing housing for the homeless since 1997. The transitional housing program provides services for homeless, HIV positive men with histories of substance abuse who are at least 18 years or older with a desire to live drug and alcohol free, while actively working to improve their present lives and their future. Clients may participate in the program for up to 24 months and they receive Case Management services, participate in support groups, individual and group counseling sessions, day treatment and those able to work, participate in the job training program.

About the Author

Terry Swenson

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A writer and a photographer, Terry Swenson is GHBA's director of public relations.