by David Chapman
Staff Writer
It may take a village to raise a child, but almost 100 volunteers helped the Youth Crisis Center raise parts of its Touchstone Village Friday as part of a massive coordinated civic effort.
Volunteers from City Council, the Northeast Florida Builders Association, the University of North Florida and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department were among just some of the groups who spent the day hanging drywall in the buildings of Touchstone Village — a three-building, $6 million expansion to the Youth Crisis Center that broke ground last March.
“There were a lot of people out here from all walks of life who helped build this (Touchstone) Village,” said Tom Patania, YCC president. “When the volunteer project was brought to me, I thought it might have been too ambitious ... but they made it happen and it means so much.”
Touchstone Village will provide transitional and independent housing along with career guidance for youths between 16 and 21 who are out of foster care and have no family support system.
Developer Greg Matovina of Matovina & Co. coordinated the project and estimated that the work and supplies donated saved close to two-weeks worth of project time and $100,000.
“I think it’s great that so many people came to support a really worthy cause,” said Matovina. “People love to get a day out of the office for something beneficial like this and make a difference while getting their hands a little dirty.”
Council member and NEFBA Executive Director Daniel Davis along with Council member Don Redman were two of the volunteers who got their hands dirty on the job site.
“It’s definitely fun to get out here for this,” said Davis. “Activities like this are great for team building.”
For homebuilders who participated, it was a welcome positive moment amid what’s become a down real estate and building market.
“It (market negativity) does kind of wear you down, but days like this are great,” said NEFBA President Glenn Layton of Woodside Homes. “To see a lot of caring individuals come out and create a positive day, it’s special.”
More than 20 JFRD members participated — all on their off days — said Randy Wyse, president of the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters Local 122 Union.
It wasn’t JFRD’s first build, though, as Wyse and others have participated in numerous home builds with NEFBA’s charitable arm, Builders Care.
“We’re always happy to help,” said Wyse, who then joked, “We’re serving the people of Jacksonville when they’re paying us and serving them when they’re not.”
The expansion is on schedule to be completed in its original timeframe of June, said Eric Clayton, project manager for Varnes Contracting, the general contractor for the project.
The efforts aren’t forgotten, said Clayton, and make a difference for the people who will most need the facility.
“It’s about giving back to the community and helping these kids who need it and haven’t had the greatest start in life,” said Clayton. “They’re the ones we’re all doing this for.”
For more information about YCC and Touchstone Village, go to www.youthcrisiscenter.org.
356-2466