LA/Ventura HomeAid Teams with CB Richard Ellis in National Launch of "Get Out and Give Back" BuildMonth

LOS ANGELES, CA, December 04, 2010 (Press-News.org) Camarillo's RAIN Transitional Living Center (RAIN TLC) is benefiting from a new joint initiative by HomeAid America and CB Richard Ellis (CBRE). HomeAid, a leading provider of housing for today's homeless and CBRE, the world's largest commercial real estate services firm, launched their first "Get Out and Give Back" BuildMonth in September, to assist with building and housing projects for the underprivileged and homeless across the nation.

HomeAid's Los Angeles/Ventura counties chapter was one of 14 HomeAid chapters that participated in "Get Out and Give Back," with RAIN TLC the chosen non-profit of their joint effort with CBRE. "RAIN TLC is an outstanding and very active facility," said Jennie Cowart, executive director of HomeAid LA/Ventura. "That activity level translates to ongoing needs for refurbishment, so we were delighted to have our chapter's commitment to RAIN TLC get this great boost from CBRE as part of the first BuildMonth!"

More than 30 volunteers from CBRE's Camarillo office worked with HomeAid and its volunteer staff and trade partners on RAIN TLC, painting the exteriors of two buildings and planting new landscaping. Following completion of official BuildMonth activities were donations of clothing, toys and furniture for the families who make their home at RAIN TLC while they pursue job training, employment and permanent residence.

Cowart recognized several area businesses for their contributions to BuildMonth event. Among them: Avia Industries, Inc. of Canoga Park, whose professional painters assisted the volunteers; Nick Williams & Associates in Tarzana for a donation of rose bushes to enrich landscape enhancement; Sherwin Williams for paint and painting supplies; and Pardee Homes for its donation of furniture.

Sheila O'Carroll, CBRE Camarillo Office Operations Manager, noted that the BuildMonth initiative with HomeAid America is in accord with her company's goal of aligning its giving endeavors with its core business of real estate. "This new program aims to build on company and individual contributions to our communities," she said. "By partnering with HomeAid, we are providing real estate-based solutions to assist those in need of a helping hand, and we were delighted to be part of the work at RAIN TLC."

O'Carroll added that HomeAid is one of two organizations CBRE has chosen to implement Shelter Program, which is part of its corporate philanthropy program CBRE Cares.

The BuildMonth program with CBRE exemplifies the successful coalitions of HomeAid with a spectrum of real estate professionals, according to Joyce Mason, president of HomeAid/Los Angeles Ventura Board of Directors and vice president of marketing for Pardee Homes, a co-founder of HomeAid LA/Ventura. "HomeAid has benefited enormously from the spirit of giving that infuses our industry," she said. "An amazing diversity of companies help the HomeAid cause with the skills and resources we rely on to pursue our shelter programs, and we sincerely thank CBRE and the entire team that turned out for RAIN TLC!"

About HomeAid--HomeAid is a leading national non-profit provider of housing for homeless families and individuals. HomeAid works in partnership with the Building Industry Association (BIA) to build and renovate transitional housing, and with service agencies that provide secure shelter, support and skills to families and individuals, helping them regain self-sufficiency. Through the generosity of builders, their trades and their suppliers, HomeAid has completed 200 housing projects nationwide at a cost of more than $160 million, of which $75 million has been donated by the building industry. HomeAid's facilities offer 1.8 million bed-nights annually through a network of 20 chapters in 15 states. HomeAid has 36 additional projects in development. For more information call 1.888.3HOMEAID or visit www.homeaid.org. For HomeAid Los Angeles/Ventura, call 818-889-9494 or visit www.homeaidlaven.org.

About CB Richard Ellis--CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world's largest commercial real estate services firm (in terms of 2009 revenue). The Company offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. It has approximately 29,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers worldwide. CB Richard Ellis has been named a BusinessWeek 50 "best in class" company for three years in a row. Please visit www.cbre.com and www.cbre.com/cbrecares.