Building Relationships That Build New Lives: HomeAid and First American

For more than three decades, HomeAid has believed that some of the most meaningful change happens when people and organizations bring their unique strengths together in service to others. That spirit of partnership was on full display this week when I had the opportunity to spend time with leaders from First American Title’s Homebuilder Services Division.

I was invited to share the HomeAid story, where we started, the work taking place across our network today, and where we believe we can go together in the years ahead. HomeAid began in Southern California nearly four decades ago with a simple idea: engage the homebuilding industry to help nonprofits create safe, dignified places for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Today, that idea has grown into a national network of 20 affiliates, bringing builders, trades, suppliers and other industry partners together with organizations serving people in need.

But one of the things I wanted the First American team to understand is that their company isn't simply a supporter of that work. Their people are part of it.

First American leaders are serving HomeAid at the national level and with affiliates across the country—including Phoenix, Orange County/Los Angeles, Orlando, North Texas, Colorado, Austin, Inland Empire, Northern California, Portland, Puget Sound, Southern Nevada, Utah, Houston, Sacramento and San Diego.

Several of those leaders were in the room with me this week. That gave me the opportunity to recognize Anne Law, Traci Warda, Sean Henry, Tricia Hazen, Jason Young and Jon Samson for their direct leadership with HomeAid.

More importantly, it allowed us to celebrate what happens when corporate partnership becomes personal commitment.

We also shared a video created for the upcoming HomeAid Austin gala featuring Debbie Horridge of First American, who serves as HomeAid Austin's Board Chair. Debbie's leadership is another great example of how First American employees aren't simply supporting HomeAid from the sidelines, they are helping lead the work in their communities.

And the conversation is already creating new connections. Following the presentation, James Hayes, an Area Manager Director for First American Title Homebuilder Services in Virginia, expressed interest in becoming involved with HomeAid National Capital Region. Those moments are exactly how a national partnership becomes local impact.

I was also able to share the scale of what our affiliates and partners are accomplishing together. HomeAid has now completed nearly 1,700 projects and Care Days, created more than 21,000 beds, served more than 1.8 million people, and has dozens of additional projects in development. But behind every one of those numbers is a person, a veteran, a mother and child escaping domestic violence, a young person leaving foster care, a senior, a person with a disability, or a family that simply needs a safe place and an opportunity to begin again.

That is why partnerships like the one between First American and HomeAid matter. Companies bring resources, expertise and relationships. But people bring something equally important: leadership, commitment and a willingness to get involved.

Thank you to Anne Law, Chris Zrepsky and Michelle Phillips for bringing us together and creating the opportunity for this conversation. And thank you to the many First American leaders across the country who have chosen to invest their time and talents in HomeAid.

There are tremendous challenges ahead as communities across America address homelessness and housing instability. But spending time with this group reminded me again why I remain optimistic.

When good people and strong organizations decide to work together, we can build more than housing. We can help people build new lives.