Builders Care - Tony Boselli Foundation Project

Builders Care and Engle Homes
Team up with the Boselli Foundation

Although Builders Care helps families in need, the focus this time turned to the community. The Russell Bill Cook Park Community Center was revamped in August by Builders Care, Engle Homes, the Northeast Florida Builders Association Masonry Council and trades partners. Children in the community can now come to the center after school and get homework help.

The Boselli Foundation will run the community center, located at 3300 Jones Street. The center will be open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m, open to the community from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., and closed from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m so children can be tutored.

"We were all blessed to be part of a great project. It's important that private sectors in the community give back, instead of just relying on the government to help," said Andy Chambers, president of Engle Homes. "The community needs to take back the community," he said.

The NEFBA Masonry Council and many other companies came together to work on the new community center.

"This is a perfect example, outside of city government, of how regular contractors can get together and help the community," said Robert Carlton, general manager for Carlton-Walker Masonry.

This is the second time that Builders Care has teamed up with Tony Boselli, founder of The Boselli Foundation, to work on a center. In addition to renovations on the original building, a new wing was added, equipped with a library, classroom, common area and a computer room.

"It's exciting to get the second Youth Life Learning Center opened. It will help us accomplish what our mission is, and that is to help children in Jacksonville become champions," Boselli said. He also said that he would like to build another community center this year.

Rita Williams, owner of Merchandising Plus, added the finishing touches to the center. "It was one of the best experiences we ever had. Builders Care is a hard working group and it was a pleasure to work on something that will benefit the community," Williams said. Builders Care hopes to refurbish at least two more community centers this year.
Written by: Dalia Mousa - dmousa@builderscare.org

Link to Media Coverage

Masonry Council Video
Click the link (above or left) to see a special video of the project from the Northeast Florida Builders Associaton's Masonry Council about this great community service project.

Photos from the Jobsite (Newest on top):

	Mayor Peyton Signs the Budget To celebrate the completion of the second Boselli Foundation Youth Life Learning Center at Russell Bill Cook park, the Mayor chose the park to sign and enact the new Jacksonville City Budget complete with all the media coverage.
	Grand Opening - Bring on the Kids! The local media turned out as the key players in the project assembled to officially open the new facility and to see the preparations that came together to ready it for its mission... to give the children of the community a chance at a bright future.
	It's a Wrap! August 8, 2008 - Touch-up and interior design were the order of the day as media representatives reported on the COMPLETION of the second Boselli Foundation Youth Life Learning Center! Activities included polishing, buffing and and finishing the small details.
	Beginning to Finish August 7, 2008 - Engle Homes' design team from Merchandising Plus arrived with truckloads of interior design items. What fun they had as they worked to bring a sense of home to the center so students would be comfortable and focused on their studies!
	Lots of Tradesmen... A LOT Accomplished! August 1, 2008 - Electrical, Heating and Air, Trim Carpentry, Cabinetry, Landscaping... It's hard to think of a trade that wasn't working away at this quick-build to prepare for the start of school and the activities and tutoring that will take place.
	Finish Work Begins! July 30, 2008 - The finish work began today with the start of interior trim, cabinet installation and paint preparation. Our trade partners worked with each other by performing construction services in the their areas of expertise.
	Taking Shape July 26, 2008 - You could begin to see the form and function of the newest Boselli Foundation Youth Life Learning Center as tradesmen worked at completing the masonry and roofing.
	Masonry, Roofing, Trusses July 24, 2008 - Heavy equipment whirred and clanked as workers placed trusses and repaired the existing room decking. Engle Homes' trade partners showed their expertise and made quick work of the day's activities.
	Exterior Paint & General Cleaning and Preparation July 23, 2008 - A small, energetic group of volunteers gave a full day to the Boselli Foundation's new Youth Life Learning Center. Exterior paint was a challenge, covering deep green with white is demanding!.
	Masonry Work and Roof Demolition - July 22, 2008 Members of the NEFBA Masonry Council and other subcontractors made a dramatic difference on the site as they erected exterior and interior walls and proceeded with roof demolition.
	Meet and Greet at the Park - July 19, 2008 Amidst the construction, the Boselli Foundation, Engle Homes and Builders Care held a "Meet and Greet" so we could get to know the community we wish to serve and begin enrollment for the newest Youth Life Learning Center!
	Getting Started - July 16, 17, 2008 Demolition and foundation work highlighted the flurry of activity as we got a running start of the second Tony Boselli Youth Life Learning Center. Dust and mortar were flying and workers made great progress on the project!

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