Friends of SafeHaven of Tarrant County

Our People Friends of SafeHaven of Tarrant County

by Donald A. Steer, AIA

On March 26, 2015, VLK Architects was presented the “Friends” award at the annual SafeHaven of Tarrant County volunteer banquet at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth. SafeHaven is a non-profit organization that is focused on providing prevention, education and assistance to families of domestic violence. This award was exceptionally meaningful to VLK associates, Lauren Brown and Whitney Tong, and me because it represented a sincere appreciation and acknowledgment of our efforts in the reconstruction of SafeHaven’s Fort Worth shelter and the roof replacement of their Arlington shelter.

VLK Architects has had a long-standing relationship with SafeHaven going back to 2000. We have assisted them in many endeavors including design services for the kitchen and dining room expansion at the Fort Worth shelter, modifications to Berry Good Buys, their resale store, and coordination of the installation of synthetic turf and playground equipment at the Arlington shelter. Leesa Vardeman, a Principal at VLK, is currently on the Board and the Chair of the Facilities Committee.

As employees of VLK, we are encouraged to volunteer our time to any charitable cause. We are even given paid time off to volunteer at a charity of our choosing. In this situation, we were given the opportunity to contribute our full range of services to help them through challenging times. We were given the authority to provide the same level of attention that we would for any other client. The Arlington shelter was in dire need of roofing replacement and repair. Clinton Schiver and I volunteered to perform a roof study with the goal of using the evaluation and expectation of probable construction cost for fundraising. Through the assessment we determined that the facility had an immediate need to replace the asphalt shingles and the existing flashing between the roof and the adjacent EIFS (exterior insulated finish system) covered exterior walls. The building was experiencing significant water infiltration and substrate deterioration. Left Don Steer receiving the “Friends” award for VLK.

In the process of pricing the roof replacement, we reached out to a local roofing contractor, BRI Roofing, with whom we have had a long-standing trusted relationship to assist with an estimate. Through our initial conversations, Mike Beeter, BRI President and CEO, extended an offer to replace the asphalt shingled roof at no cost to SafeHaven. Because of BRI’s generous donation, we were able to expand the project scope to replace not only the asphalt shingles, but also the lowslope roofing, exterior trim, and refinish/repair the EIFS. VLK was also involved in the repair of a fire sprinkler line burst which took place in the Fort Worth shelter during an extreme cold spell. It caused significant water damage to the classrooms, child activity rooms, and several shelter bedrooms, rendering them unusable. Immediate attention was required to get a portable classroom building on-site, so that classes could continue during the renovation.

VLK assisted SafeHaven in the production of design documents necessary for insurance adjustment, bidding, permitting, and construction. The renovation was an opportunity to create an up-to-date learning environment with flexible spaces to serve the variety of age groups housed within the shelter.

Volunteering our services to SafeHaven was a very rewarding experience. It provided us a first-hand view of the needs and challenges that face this supportive organization on a daily basis. We were able to contribute our unique talents and skills in a way that helps combat domestic violence by providing a welcoming, warm, safe, dry space for the victims. Being recognized and honored with the “Friends” award was more gratifying than any architectural award I have ever received. I look forward to our continued relationship with SafeHaven and will look for new opportunities to continue to help.