More than 100 volunteers gathered in Logan Heights on Friday to refurbish a home owned by the Alpha Project, an organization that provides housing and programs for the homeless.
The volunteers built a backyard garden, repaired fences, and gutted and replaced the home's kitchen and ventilation system. The volunteers, from a digital advertising company, were participating through the nonprofit HomeAid. HomeAid spent six months coordinating the project with the volunteers and the Alpha Project.
Alexis Parker, executive director of HomeAid, said refurbishing the Alpha House home was one of the largest projects any chapter of HomeAid has ever done.
Currently, the Alpha Project house is a sober living facility for up to eight men, but early next year, it will become a home for single women.
Amy Gonyeau, chief financial officer of Alpha Project, said creating a home for women is something they've wanted to do for a long time.
"We serve women in all of our programs, but this will be designated for women, and we'll actually be able to turn it into a program now," Gonyeau said.
The Alpha Project has been helping San Diego's homeless for 26 years, but this is the first time volunteers from the community are helping with labor and materials free of charge. The men who live in the Alpha Project house currently will be re-located before the women move in.
