In The Community
Keller Williams and House of Magnets
Team Up to “Lend a Helping Hand”
Thursday, May 13th was a day to remember at several HGH community group homes – thanks to work crews from Keller Williams La Mesa and The House of Magnets in El Cajon. The two civic-minded companies joined forces for the second annual RED (Renew, Energize and Donate) Day, a time set aside for all Keller Williams real estate offices throughout North America to make a lasting impact in their communities.
One HGH house in Santee received a big boost in curb appeal, as a crew from Keller Williams removed high-use water landscaping and replaced it with drought tolerant plants. The crew also added a vegetable garden and fruit trees. “It was a great treat to have such a wonderful group of volunteers donating their time and resources!” said Nashay Browning, who supervises the Santee home. “Our residents will be thrilled to spend more time in their yard, picking fruit and working on their garden.”
The House of Magnets joined in the fun as well. The company provided three volunteer teams that washed windows at 12 different houses. This was the House of Magnets’ second year to partner with Keller Williams Realty for the annual community service event. In addition to assisting their East County neighbors, the decision to support HGH was a personal one as well.
“The mission and accomplishments of Home of Guiding Hands is well known in San Diego and close to my heart,” said House of Magnets’ Internet Director Mike Atkinson, who has a daughter with special needs. “As my daughter gets older, I foresee the need in her life for independent living opportunities. HGH has helped so many over the years to experience living in a community setting and training for essential life skills.”
RED Day is held in honor of Mo Anderson, Vice Chairman of the Board of Keller Williams International, and reflects her constant commitment to the culture of the company.
“Because you have opened your hearts, the world knows how much Keller Williams cares about the communities we live in,” she said. “Your blessing to others is immeasurable.” She celebrated her 73rd birthday on May 13, 2010.
Nashay Browning, QMRP administrator for the Santee home remarked: “It was a great treat to have such a wonderful group of volunteers donating their time and resources! Our residents will be thrilled to spend more time in their yard, picking fruit and working on their garden.”
San Diego County’s beautiful year-round weather and numerous events and attractions provide multiple learning and leisure opportunities for Home of Guiding Hands’ (HGH) residents.
The Community Activities program is an important component of HGH’s Residential Services LinkENTIAL PAGE] which provides round-the-clock training, care and support via 27 neighborhood homes located throughout San Diego’s East County area. The staff at each home encourages maximum community interaction for the residents in their care.
“The program enhances quality of life for our residents and at the same time uses the community as a training environment to build independent living skills, self confidence and self esteem,” said HGH Executive Director Carol Fitzgibbons.
HGH’s 2008-09 Community Activities program is generously sponsored by SDG&E, a Sempra Energy utility. Program activities can include visits to local museums, theatre productions, theme parks such as SeaWorld and Disneyland, and the San Diego Zoo. Trips to local shopping malls and venues such as Seaport Village, parks, movie theatres, and the beach are also common.
HGH’s residents are not the only ones that benefit from this program. “The presence of our residents in public and social settings helps promote awareness and greater understanding of those who live with intellectual and physical challenges – creating a more educated public that is sensitive and accepting of persons with disabilities,” explained Fitzgibbons.
The Community Activities program allows HGH’s residents to participate in and learn from the San Diego community in which they live and supports personal growth.
The program offers the following benefits for HGH’s residents (to name a few).
- Improves self esteem and confidence in social and public situations
- Increases speech and verbal expression
- Fosters a sense of belonging to a larger community/society
- Encourages the development of personal choices/preferences
- Increases utilization and awareness of community resources
- Increases interaction with the public/society
- Enhances cultural awareness and education
- Promotes an active and healthy lifestyle
Special Thanks to SDG&E for its Grant Support
of the 2008-09 Community Activities Program!
 
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