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Texas Builder Earns Top Honor for Community Service
 Desert View Homes of El Paso, Texas, was awarded the 2005 Gold National Housing Endowment Builder Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Service during the recent International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.
Desert View Homes is the first builder to receive the award, which was established last year to honor builder, developer and remodeler members of NAHB for their exceptional philanthropic endeavors. In honor of Desert View Homes, a $10,000 donation was made to a charity selected by the company, the El Paso Association of Builders Construction Trades Education Corporation.
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Desert View Homes created a community-based program of studies in the building trades that included classroom work ... |
“Receiving an award like this, particularly in its initial year, is a great honor,” said Randy O’Leary, CEO of Desert View Homes. “Working on these various service projects has truly unified our staff and our El Paso community. And while the benefits have been tangible to the recipient families, an impact just as tangible has been felt by our volunteers, whose contributions made a real difference.”
The builder developed two approaches to providing service to the local community. One focuses on the educational and economic conditions in El Paso, and the other addresses specific social issues in the community. Both forms of service are channeled through non-profit organizations that Desert View Homes created.
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... and job site training that takes students through the entire home building process. |
Partnering with El Paso Community College, Desert View Homes created a program of studies in the building trades, a 16-course module taking students through the entire home building process. The students actually build a house from the ground up, with supplies and materials provided by Desert View Homes. In turn, profits from the sale of the house are used to provide scholarships for additional students to attend the classes. Graduates also have the opportunity to be placed into the work force and 50% of their wages are paid by a federal government grant for a six-month period.
To address social issues in the El Paso community, Desert View Homes established El Paso Families First, an organization that seeks to help families in all aspects of their lives. Part of its services include outreach that assists 20 to 30 families monthly with food and clothing. These families also receive financial help with expenses such as medical bills, furniture, rent, and special occasions.
“Our members are active, committed citizens in their local communities and often their charitable involvement goes unnoticed,” said Gary Garczynski, chairman of the National Housing Endowment, NAHB’s philanthropic arm. “Desert View Homes exemplifies this philanthropy in its truest form. This award shines a positive light on a builder bettering his community, and at the same time provides a source of inspiration for others and delivers a positive message about our industry.”
Seven other builders were honored with silver, bronze and honorable mention Builder Achievement awards during the presentation.
The awards were established through a grant to the endowment by Isaac Heimbinder, vice chairman, president and COO of Kimball Hill Homes, based in Houston.
For the complete list of winners, click here.
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