Architecture for Humanity

The Golden Circle Senior Center was leveled by the February 29, 2012, tornadoes which swept through Harrisburg, Illinois.

Through subsequent receipt of a construction grant and insurance money, the Center has raised $800,000 - most of the way to their $1M goal to rebuild a permanet center serving 150-250 people each day.

Still, $1 million doesn't leave much room for amenities.

With the funds Architecture for Humanity has raised from private donations since the disaster, we will be issuing a grant to the Architecture for Humanity Chicago Chapter to work with residents of Golden Circle and provide services that would not otherwise be afforded through funds the Center has raised for construction.

In the coming weeks, representatives of the Chicago chapter will conduct design charrettes with members of the Golden Circle community and identify specifically how to maximize use of the funding available through Architecture for Humanity.

Through the intense, informative collaboration of the charrette, the Chapter can isolate what would most benefit the senior center, and take the necessary steps to outline how to make it possible. Chicago architect and Harrisburg native George Cain has agreed to apply his expertise toward executing the project, along with the Chapter.

We're anxious to see this initiative take shape as Golden Circle begins to rebuild, and will endeavor to collect more funding to grow the size of the grant. The larger the award, the more we can accomplish.

May 2012. As the conversations on the ground shift from "disaster relief" to "long-term recovery," we take a look at how our operations fit into the scheme. See the update below featuring our Program Coordinator for how the rest of 2012 and beyond will shape up for the Rebuilding Center. For Port-au-Prince residents, don't miss Leslie Voltaire's presentation at tonight's Meet n Greet (details below).

News

Upwards! Update on Elie Dubois and Pele schools - brought to you by Students Rebuild
Feature: Haitian transitions - catching up with our program coordinator, back at HQ after two months in Haiti

Comings & Goings

We welcome researcher Jessie Towell, and new HQ intern Cara Williams, and bid a fond farewell to volunteer Nazanin Merehgan, and the 2nd wave UMN students - thanks for your incredible work!

Design Opportunities & Program Needs

Directuer, Planification et conception - Development Director - Construction Manager - Structural Engineer - Haiti Volunteer

Events
Haiti Meet n Greet - Friday, May 25, 5:30 - 7:30
One Third of Haiti lives in the urban sector of Haiti's Western Department (Ouest). A combination of exploding population and negative economic growth has led to urban migration, misuse of habitable spaces and the threat of hasty design responses. M Leslie VOLTAIRE, architect and urbanist, will present "Land Use and Community Planning."
Contact rolandeaugustin@architectureforhumanity.org for more details.