Today we’d like to introduce you to Don Adamson.
Hi Don, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 1989, in Orange County, California, a small (but passionate) grassroots group of individuals in the building industry began on a journey to tackle one of our nation’s biggest problems: homelessness.
Why? Because each and every day in communities across our country, individuals and families are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and they had a solution.
Together, through construction, community engagement and education, they established HomeAid with a bold vision to be a vital force in creating safe and dignified housing for those most vulnerable in our community – those without a home.
What began as a simple remodel of two small farmhouses to end homelessness for families grew into a collaboration across this country of local and national builders, trades, suppliers, financial institutions, and community partners, completing over 1,000 developments and effectively ending homelessness for over 500,000 people.
Nearly 4 years ago, I was approached to become the Executive Director of a new affiliate of HomeAid, HomeAid Utah. In the last 4 years, HomeAid Utah has leveraged $471,829 of donations to over $1.1 million dollars in value. We have a reputation of stretching donor dollars 241% (on average). So far, the donations and contributions made to HomeAid Utah have helped several organizations including The Red Barn Academy, The INN Between, The Food and Care Coalition, Family Promise, The Road Home, Life Start Village, and The Family Support Center. Many individuals and families have been touched by these organizations, and lives have been changed.
Through HomeAid’s unique ability to maximize relationships between the building industry and local service providers, HomeAid has become a national pioneer in developing housing and programmatic facilities for those experiencing homeless. Many projects are planned and will begin in the coming months and years. And as a result, a future where individuals and families are able to overcome homelessness and build a new life became a reality.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Despite having a front-row seat to so much generosity from builders, suppliers, trades, businesses, and the Utah community, we have encountered some challenges as we work to end homelessness across our State.
With the housing and construction markets booming in recent years, it became more challenging to source materials and skilled labor for HomeAid shelter projects. Fortunately, with a dedicated, influential Board of Directors and HomeAid partners, we have been able to eventually source our needs to finish meaningful projects although with occasional delays. Now with the economic decline and inflation we are currently experiencing, there may be downward pressure not only on skilled labor and materials donations but also on financial donations as businesses pivot to adapt to secure themselves. Unfortunately, those same pressures are affecting the need for more services and deeply affordable housing as jobs are being cut and family finances are pushed to their limits.
We’ve been impressed with HomeAid Utah, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
HomeAid takes a unique approach to ending homelessness. Our focus lies in three words: construction, community engagement, and education. Each of these are critical components to fulfilling our mission and clearly demonstrate how HomeAid exists to serve those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Building quality & dignified housing is essential to our mission and we understand that it takes a community to build and rebuild a community. Homelessness cannot be solved with housing alone. Support is essential to ending the cycle of homelessness. We are empowered by helping one another through education.
Without our dedicated board of directors, trade partners, and corporate relationships HomeAid would not exist. We rely on relationships. Our collaborative approach is effective and lasting.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
The early days of the pandemic were cause for great concern. Some of our shelter construction projects also had to go on hold, mid-project because of the health concerns related to vulnerable residents. We feared donations would dry up as people scaled back on business and personal expenditures to prepare for the uncertainty of the situation. In the end, we had a very generous company, Academy Mortgage, who recognized our worries and pledged a generous matching campaign #theacademymatch. Their support was critical in engaging others to donate and allowed us to continue our efforts and forge ahead to fight homelessness in our community. We continue to promote that we can all succeed through collaboration. #collaborateforsuccess
Contact Info:
- Website: homeaidutah.org
- Instagram: @homeaidutah
- Facebook: @HomeAidUtah
- Twitter: @HomeaidUtah
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvDn0XDzViNSKPBzuuYSF6A
- Other: https://www.homeaidessentialsutah.org/
Image Credits
Robin Pendergrast
Getty Images
