Today SimonSays . . . Anything Is Possible with clear Vision, Commitment and Faith.

My Personal Epiphany:

On August 6, 2007 Conduit signed on with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to do what was seemingly the impossible . . .

The mission was simple: To construct 30 homes in 84 Days from foundation to drywall and paint-ready and hand off to former President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn Carter and 7,000 volunteers from around the globe to finish the job for the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007.

Although I had the confidence to complete our part of the mission it was not until the 3rd week into the project that I personally met one of the new residents. As I walked into one of the units during it’s rough framing stage, I said hello to a woman that was sweeping fallen sawdust from the ground and I noticed she was pregnant. I also noticed she had both a twinkle and a tear in her eye. I was immediately concerned and asked if there was anything wrong. With a glowing smile she turned to me and said she was so happy because this was going to be her new home for her new baby. She was overjoyed because she was going to have a safe place for her baby to live. She said it had always been her dream to own a home.

At that very instant I realized this project was far greater than just building another structure. I had my epiphany. And from this point forward the mission took on a life-force of it’s own. I realized Conduit was brought into this circle not only to aide in the construction of the buildings but to facilitate and be the conduit for people to realize their individual dream of homeownership.

This experience has been a collaborative effort from countless committed people working shoulder to shoulder through the smooth and rough times with, “NO Plan B”. We had vision, we had leadership and most of all we had faith. We are headed down the home stretch (no pun intended). We have 3 Days to go and yesterday, at the 11th hour, we passed the final inspections that would have kept the mission from moving forward. From here it looks like we’re going to make it. 45,000 feet of drywall to go and on the 28th of October, Jimmy Carter and his team will takeover the tool box to finish the job.

In my 34 years of working in the construction industry this has been the single most awesome professional experience in my career and I must confess, a life changing event.

In less than 84 days two independent sites (San Pedro & Vermont) went from vacant lots and piles of dirt to LEED Accredited Residence that will soon be a home to 30 hard working deserving families. All homes have been constructed keeping green building practices at the forefront in keeping with California’s mission of building a sustainable earth-friendly future. The Green Building Elements for JCWP 2007 includes:

ENERGY EFFICIENT DESIGN

• Meets or exceeds by 10% the California Title 24 energy efficiency requirements
• Dual-glazed low-emissivity windows
• Increased building insulation values in walls and roof
• Insulation of hot water lines
• Solar Panel Energy
• Tankless or high-efficiency water heaters which use less energy than conventional water heaters
• Lighting with greater than 40 Lumens per Watt

RECYCLED OR RECYCLABLE BUILDING MATERIALS

• Carpet and carpet padding made from recycled content
• Building insulation made from recycled content
• Fly-ash in concrete to reduce cement usage and to recycle coal byproducts

POLLUTION REDUCTION

• Filtered and/or clarified water runoff from parking areas prior to entering storm drain
• Air filtration system for improved indoor air quality
• Recycling of construction waste at approved recycling facilities
• Storm Water Protection Plan to minimize construction debris entering storm drains
• “Grasscrete” driveway surface

WATER USAGE EFFICIENCY

• Ultra low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets
• Low-water usage plants
• Water-efficient irrigation

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING

• Native habitat
- Drought-resistant plants
- Native plant species, procured locally, that support native wildlife (such as native birds, butterflies…)
- (National Wildlife Federation certification as “Neighborhood Habitat” which provides adequate native food, water,
cover and places for raising young for native wildlife)
• Tree Population
- Protection of existing mature trees
- Planting of new trees

Thank you Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles and the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007 for collaborating with Conduit Development and allowing us to be part of the solution of providing decent and safe living conditions for families in the effort of ending the overwhelming need for housing in Los Angeles County.

Vermont work site – Weeks 1-10. Double click to enlarge images:

If you too would like to be a part of this solution please go to www.habitatla.org to learn more.