A campaign to help families facing homelessness in the San Antonio area is getting kicked off with the donation the net profits of a $1.1 million home in the new Smithson Ridge neighborhood in Bulverde.
The area, which is known for spectacular views of the Hill Country, is being developed into a high-end subdivision with the help of Burdick Custom Homes.
Art Burdick came up with the plan and his designer, Sean Jenkins, came up with the drawing of the magnificent Mediterranean-style abode, complete with $100,000 swimming pool.
"There are many different ways to contribute, so we just looked at what our talents and ability are and decided this is what we are going to do and, hopefully, it will be profitable and successful for SAMMinistries," said Burdick, who plans to twist a few arms to bring the price of some of the materials down to widen the profit margin.
Navarra Williams, president and CEO of SAMMinistries, says the proceeds will go toward the $8 million Help, Hope, and Home Campaign.
He says the proceeds from this donation is a good start: "Normally, somewhere between $75,000 and $125,000, which would be a very significant gift (and) would help about 150 families stay in their homes with our homeless prevention program," he estimated on the home's net profit.
Burdick has assisted in a number of campaigns for Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, and said he joined this one when he realized that so many children are counted among the homeless in San Antonio.
"They have to move all the time and they have to relocate from one school to another. They lose their friends. What type of trauma does that create and anxiety it causes little kids (by making them wonder), 'Where we are going to be next?'" he said.
The home will be finished in approximately 10 months.
Burdick Custom Homes donated the lot outright toward the project.
According to SAMMinistries' fact sheet, in 2012, its homelessness prevention efforts kept 583 families from becoming homeless and 41 percent of those served were children.
The Help, Hope and Home Campaign provides services like workforce development and education assistance for those on the verge of homelessness.
It also provides transitional housing.
For more information on the campaign and the donation, visit www.samm.org.
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