Women Construction Forum Participates in Community Project Benefiting Safe Harbor Non-Profit
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Nine members of the Women Construction Forum recently participated in a project build benefiting local non-profit Safe Harbor, a non-profit that offers a continuum of services for survivors of domestic violence and their children across four counties of Upstate South Carolina. The forum is comprised of 15 professional women in the construction and building agencies whose vision is to “help build up women and their voices in the construction arena by empowering, engaging, and mentoring women entering the industry.”
The project — initiated just after the coronavirus shut down many parts of the US and left non-profits in the lurch — included building a new, custom-designed reception desk that will serve in the entranceway of the new Greenville location of Safe Harbor Resale Shop. The desk, constructed out of 2 X 4’s and pallets, was a collaborative initiative between several women in the group along with Resale Shop staff. The rustic multi-color pallet concept was created to enhance Safety Harbor’s existing industrial and rustic design throughout the shop.
Women and companies involved: Rachel Veltri, Morgan Keefe Builders; Gwen Sollenberger of Bunnell Lammons Engineering; Andrew Sollenberger, Fresh Water Systems; Laurie Gregory, Creative Builders; Christi Powell, 84 Lumber Company; Tori Wallace-Babcock, Mashburn Construction; Lauren Dorrity, Johnson Group – ACA; Natasha Sexton, Sexton Design & Development; Wendi Carson, Consulting Construction and Design: and Angela Gardner, Hill Electric.
“Safe Harbor has been giving to the women and children of our community for a long time and I am thrilled that we were able to do something special to give back to them.” said Rachel Veltri.
“As women in the construction industry, we were able to apply our experience, connections, and education towards something that we value; an organization that helps empower women.” noted Gwen Sollenberger.
“As a national, female-owned business, 84 Lumber is always looking for ways to support and empower other women in the industry,” said 84 Lumber WBE/MBE and Commercial Sales Market Manager Christi Powell. “We are proud that we were able to contribute to this important project, and I hope to have more opportunities to work with this great group of women in the near future.”
“I love being able to give back to our community, and the fact that I work for a company like Hill Electric that aligns with my values, is icing on the cake.” added Angela Gardner.
“On behalf of Safe Harbor, we’d like to thank the Women Construction Forum for designing, building, and creating such a beautiful register area to fit our new space,” said Katie Rockwell, Executive Director of Safe Harbor. “These ladies thought of just about everything, including a trash can that can slide in and out of the lower cabinet area. This is such a beautiful piece and gives our shop such a unique and rustic feel, and is a thoughtful gift from such a talented group of women.”
About Safe Harbor Resale Shop
Safe Harbor Resale Shop is a not-for-profit, donation only resale shop. The shop relies solely on the community bringing in donations. More than 85 percent of the money that is made at the shop goes back into funding Safe Harbor. Clients who are in the care of Safe Harbor shop in our store. The resale shop takes donations and uses them when clients move out of a shelter and into their own place. Things like couches, chairs, TVs, dishes, rugs, clothing, and shoes are all items that can be taken to a client’s new home.
Donation hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm. You can find the donation door behind the resale shop on Caldwell Street. Visit store 2830 Wade Hampton Blvd. #27, Taylors or website www.safeharborsc.org
