​In 2019, the Ulman House opened its doors to young people traveling to Baltimore to seek cancer treatment from some of the country’s best hospitals. During this original construction, the Home Builders Care Foundation was there to lend its assistance. 

Now, after two years of operating the 9-unit home-away-from-home for cancer patients and their caregivers, the unfinished lower level of the building is being fully built-out and once again, HBCF is stepping up to play a key role in construction. 

The expanded space will help keep vulnerable residents and caregivers safe and comfortable during their hospital visits. The improved space will include a multimedia room, a few small offices for remote work, and a larger conference room. The big open space will also have a mini-kitchen and a lounge area for residents and staff to spread safely out when needed. We are proud to continue our partnership with the Ulman Foundation and look forward to showing you photos of the completed space when complete!

​Ten Nonprofits in Ten Jurisdictions Receive Vital Funding
 
(Fulton, Maryland) – The Home Builders Care Foundation (HBCF), the official charity of the Maryland Building Industry Association (MBIA), has donated $100,000 to ten (10) hard-working nonprofits as part of its 2021 Covid Crisis Recovery Initiative to help local emergency aid programs.
 
The initiative targeted assistance to key local organizations, each serving a county, city or local jurisdiction within HBCF’s overall service area, that have been instrumental in providing intensified emergency services to Marylanders in need as a result of the pandemic.
 
“As our regular HBCF charitable construction projects have taken longer to get started due to covid disruptions, our board of directors made the decision to take immediate steps in the first part of 2021 to aid thousands of Marylanders in need. Over the past few months, our board has allocated resources to support emergency food and shelter programs, boost utility and rent relief funds, promote mental health services to low-income students and families, and also help ensure that vital case management services continue” stated HBCF Director Patti B. Kane. “Most of these nonprofits have received vital government funding to do their pandemic relief work, but most of that funding is tied to particular assistance programs. Our contributions provide flexible funding that can used in a variety of ways to support vulnerable households.”
 
The core mission of HBCF is to give back, by utilizing the skills and resources of building industry members, with a focus on shelter-related construction for the homeless and others at-risk. The efforts of the Home Builders Care program help community non-profits and local governments meet the challenges of caring for our neighbors in need.
 
“2020 has not been business as usual for our charitable construction program as the pandemic has postponed many of the projects in our pipeline.” commented HBCF President John M. DeZinno, a Senior Vice-President of Howard Bank. “Through our $100,000 Crisis Recovery Initiative, we sought to supplement our provision of transitional shelter by helping safeguard other essential services that are greatly needed during these challenging times. We are hopeful that our contributions will have an impact in each community we serve.”
 
The initiative helped reach thousands of Marylanders in need:

• by supporting FOOD and SHELTER programs 
• by boosting UTILITY and RENT RELIEF funds
• by ensuring CASE MANAGEMENT services are extended
• by supplementing RAPID RE-HOUSING AID programs 
• by promoting MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES to low-income students and families

HBCF is pleased to announce that the following ten nonprofits recently received $10,000 contributions from our building industry charity:
​

• Anne Arundel County – The Light House, a community homeless prevention support center in Annapolis

 

• Baltimore City – The Food Project, a program of U Empower of MD, that focuses on food insecurity and youth unemployment in South West Baltimore

 

• Baltimore County – The Fuel Fund of Maryland, providing energy assistance for low-income households

 

• Carroll County- The Human Service Providers (HSP) of Carroll County, a community action agency that meets the unique needs of county residents struggling with poverty   

 

• Eastern Shore- The Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank, that distributes food to eight counties.  

 

• Harford County- The Harford Community Action Agency who help families experiencing financial hardships in meeting their housing, food, energy/heating, and/or budget and counseling needs

 

• Howard County- Columbia Community Care, a true no-barrier, grassroots, volunteer-driven neighbor-helping-neighbor program that fights hunger and isolation

 

• Montgomery County - Identity Inc., whose services help thousands of impoverished Latino youth and families stave off hunger, homelessness, disconnection and despair

 

• Prince George’s County – The United Communities Against Poverty who care for homeless families at the 150 bed Shepherds Cove Shelter and provide many other life-changing and empowerment programs

 

• Southern Maryland - The Southern Maryland Food Bank and Outreach Services that works with pantries, shelters, group homes and soup kitchens in the Tri-County area.

 
 
Upon receiving a grant award, Jo Ann Mattson, the Executive Director of The Light House, stated “This support with go a long way toward ensuring that our most vulnerable neighbors have the food, shelter, case management and hope that they so desperately need...this help is now more important than ever as we continue to see an unprecedented increase in those seeking our services.”

Videos from all of our beneficiaries are posted on our YouTube page.

Last month, HBCF announced a $100,000 Crisis Recovery Initiative to help emergency aid programs throughout Maryland. The initiative is targeting assistance to key local nonprofits that have been instrumental in providing intensified emergency services to Marylanders in need as a result of the pandemic.

While the HBCF mission focuses on shelter-related construction for the homeless and others at-risk, we also believe that one of the goals of our charity is to help community non-profits and local governments meet the challenges of caring for our neighbors in need.

“2020 has not been business as usual for our charitable construction program as the pandemic has postponed many of the projects in our pipeline.” commented HBCF President John DeZinno. “Through this $100,000 crisis recovery initiative, we are aiming to supplement our provision of transitional shelter by helping safeguard other essential services that are greatly needed during these challenging times. We are hopeful that our contributions will have an impact.”

10 jurisdictions targeted - $10K each - all the areas served by MBIA and HBCF.

10 nonprofits identified - all instrumental in providing intensified emergency services to the needy as a result of the pandemic.

Doing our part NOW to help reach thousands of Marylanders in need:

• by supporting FOOD and SHELTER programs
• by boosting UTILITY and RENT RELIEF funds
• by ensuring CASE MANAGEMENT services are extended
• by supplementing RAPID RE-HOUSING AID programs
• by promoting MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES to low-income students and families

Read more about who we are helping.

​In order to fulfill our mission, Home Builders Care depends on dedicated builders, suppliers, contractors, professionals and volunteers from MBIA - willing to donate expertise, lend a hand, and inspire us to do more. Each year, as a way to gratefully acknowledge our supporters, Home Builders Care recognizes select individuals and organizations for their significant contributions in support of our efforts to help the poor and disadvantaged in our communities.

This year we are proud to recognize Pella Mid-Atlantic with the Tom Sawyer Award for their hands-on help and expertise in 2020 with the main house renovation project at Patriot Point, a retreat center for our nation’s wounded, ill and injured service members and their families. The award will be presented on April 15 at Pella's new showroom on the Eastern Shore. The presentation will be part of MBIA's board meeting. Tune in to watch it live! And check out the 2020 video above to see Pella's good deeds in action! We are grateful for their incredible generosity.

The Home Builders Care Foundation (HBCF) board of directors is pleased to announce that our charity has been reaccredited by the nationally recognized Standards for Excellence Institute®.

The accreditation promotes the highest standards of ethics, effectiveness, and accountability in nonprofit governance, management, and operations. HBCF first earned the seal in 2011.

Learn more about why the standards matter.

An Apartment Building in Bethesda Receives Critical Upgrades Thanks to Tri Pointe Homes and their Trade Partners.

The Maryland based based team at Tri Pointe Homes is paying it forward. Last month they began a major renovation project at a special facility for the homeless in downtown Bethesda.

A decade ago, Cordell Place once was a four-story office building. Today is has 32 individual furnished apartment units, each with a half-bath. On each floor, and shared by 8 residents, there are shower rooms and a common full size kitchen. Secure access, a concierge, on-site case management staff and other services complete the well-managed property run by the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless. But after 10 years of operation, improvements are needed in the building's four heavily-used kitchens.

Taking on the project, Tri Pointe reached out to their suppliers and subcontractors and lined up all the needed trades, materials and other assistance - with nearly all of it donated outright. The team worked amid COVID-19 restrictions and ensured the safety and well-being of not only the vulnerable persons who live and receive care at Cordell, but also the project workers, Cordell staff and other volunteers. To limit interruptions to residents, the team not only worked to keep at least two kitchens open at all times, but they also restricted the number of workers on site each day. The result is amazing and the residents and staff are thrilled with the new space.

The Home Builders Care Foundation's is hopeful our annual Bull & Oyster Roast will be held in person later this year! The event features the presentation of our 2021 Robert L. Mitchell Founders Award to Mr. Thomas S. Bozzuto, a past-president of the Association. Named after the Founder of the Home Builders Care program, the Mitchell Award is presented in recognition of a lifetime of leadership and commitment to community outreach and charitable efforts, particularly in Maryland and through HBCF.

We are working on a date in September. Sponsorship information and more event details coming soon!

​Right before the weather turned cold, Pleasants Construction stepped up to help the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless by donating the replacement of failing asphalt at the Seneca Heights Apartments (SHA), an award winning program in Gaithersburg.

SHA provides permanent supportive housing to 40 formerly homeless single adults and 17 families with children. The program empowers clients to achieve housing stability and other self-directed goals through 24/7 support from clinical and non-clinical staff. Thanks again to the Pleasants Construction crew!

Did you know that the Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors? 

Did you also know that every 3 minutes, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer? Many of whom can be saved with a bone marrow transplant?

With that in mind we'd like to give a big THANK YOU to the many members (including the good people at the Rachuba Group - pictured above with HBCF Board Member Chris Rachuba) who showed up to Maple Lawn on March 11 to help save lives by giving blood and getting a cheek swab to become part of the bone marrow registry.

Our most recent drive helped the mission of two exceptional charities - the American Red Cross (National Capital & Greater Chesapeake Region) and There Goes My Hero. Throughout the pandemic, the mission of these organizations continue to be life-saving.

If you missed the drive, you can still help!

Donate Blood -> Find a BLOOD DRIVE near you (link to Red Cross)
Register for a chance to save a life through the bone marrow registry (link to There Goes my Hero)

​The HBCF-owned Maryland Center for Housing in Maple Lawn is a great centralized location in the Baltimore-Washington DC Corridor. Do you want to be our neighbor in Howard County?

We have some office space available for lease. For more information, please contact Chris Bennett at MacKenzie Commercial Services, LLC. 410-953-0352 or cbennett@mackenziecommercial.com or visit this website and download the brochure.

(Fulton, Maryland) – The Home Builders Care Foundation (HBCF), the official charity of the Maryland Building Industry Association (MBIA), recently announced a $100,000 Crisis Recovery Initiative to help emergency aid programs in Maryland.
 
The initiative is targeting assistance to key local nonprofits that have been instrumental in providing intensified emergency services to Marylanders in need as a result of the pandemic.
 
HBCF is pleased to announce that the Eastern Shore Branch of the Maryland Food Bank is a selected recipient of a $10,000 grant from Home Builders Care. Located in Salisbury, the Eastern Shore Branch distributes food to some of the most food-insecure counties in the state: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester.
 
Jennifer Small, the Senior Regional Program Director for the Maryland Food Bank Eastern Shore Branch stated that the branch and its partners have seen a 40% increase in the number of individuals requesting assistance due to the pandemic. She also noted that in order to meet the needs of the community, the Food Bank has had to purchase 400% more food products this year than last year. She and Michael Hooks, the operations manager for the food bank, were on hand to receive the contribution last week.
 
The mission of HBCF is to give back by utilizing the skills and resources of building industry members with a focus on shelter-related construction for the homeless and others at-risk. The efforts of the Home Builders Care program help community non-profits and local governments meet the challenges of caring for our neighbors in need.
 
“2020 has not been business as usual for our charitable construction program as the pandemic has postponed many of the projects in our pipeline.” commented HBCF President John DeZinno. “Through this $100,000 crisis recovery initiative, we are aiming to supplement our provision of transitional shelter by helping safeguard other essential services that are greatly needed during these challenging times. We are hopeful that our contributions will have an impact.”

###
 
Founded in 1984, the Home Builders Care Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the official charity of MBIA, serving 85% of the state of Maryland as well as the District of Columbia.  Find out more at: www.hbcf.org. 
 
The MBIA is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade organization and a chapter of the National Association of Home Builders. MBIA represents the interests of over 1000 member firms and more than 100,000 employees, including home builders, remodelers, developers and affiliate professional and service providers in the Maryland Counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's as well as Baltimore City, the Eastern Shore and Washington, DC. Online at www.marylandbuilders.org.

Home Builders Care has identified a handful of nonprofits where gift cards are needed to bring joy to low-income children and families this holiday season.   Click to learn more. 

The American Red Cross has a constant and ongoing need for blood and platelet donations. Will you answer the call to help?

While good news about a vaccine is on the horizon, there is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus. 

Now more than ever, the Red Cross urgently needs the help of blood and platelet donors and blood drive hosts to meet the needs of patient care.

The Home Builders Care Foundation and the Maryland Building Industry Association are teaming up on Dec. 3. to host a blood drive at its Maple Lawn office headquarters. Donating blood is essential to community health.

• Appointments are needed 
• Vital safety protocols will be in place with Red Cross healthcare professionals 
• Sign up today to save a life.

Sign Up LINK: www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=MBIA

Congratulations Rich!

​The Home Builders Care Foundation is honored to present our 2020 Robert L. Mitchell Founders Award to Mr. Richard Thometz, a current Life Director of MBIA and a former Foundation board member. Very much deserved!  Rich has long been active with the Association with his three companies, Hailey Development LC, Efficient Home LLC and The BurnBrae Companies.

Named after the Founder of the Home Builders Care program, the Mitchell Award is presented in recognition of a lifetime of leadership and commitment to community outreach and charitable efforts, particularly in Maryland and through HBCF.

A total of 12 tribute videos were made in honor of Rich.  a total of 80 sponsors contributed, raising over $90,000 for our charitable construction program.  Amazing!    Thank you so much to our sponsors!

​

The latest project of the Home Builders Care Foundation is helping families working towards stability after a crisis has left them in need of a hand up. 

We are providing needed improvements at a safe haven home that is part of a special transitional housing program led by a group of congregations in Prince George’s County. A Home Builders Care Turn-Key Project Grant will provide residents with more secure doors and windows, as well as bathroom and kitchen protections so that families are able to focus on their recovery rather than worry about safety issues.  
 
A few years ago, nine places of worship came together to form the Bowie Supportive Housing Corporation (BSHC), a program designed to provide stable housing to the working poor. With two houses offering five bedrooms each, BSHC is able to help about four to six families at a time. BSHC member congregations work together to provide counseling, financial and educational assistance and more to help residents transition into independent living during their 12 to 24 months in the program.

Home Builders Care is proud to be able to provide help in supporting vulnerable families.

Learn more about what our partnering nonprofits say about the Turn-Key Project Grant Program