In December 2008, SVP Sean DeMartino was approached by SI Goldman CEO John Martin with a concern about housing at the Coalition for the Homeless. Together they went to the Women’s Residential and Counseling Center to get a closer look. The 2,000 square foot space was in disrepair. The goal was simple – figure out a way to work around the bunk beds which could not be moved out of the room. Then complete the renovation in very short order. The original goal was to finish the project in a single weekend so as to not displace the mothers, infants and children. The job was actually completed in 12 hours. “I am so proud to be associated with a team that rose to the occasion selflessly, with very little concern for their own time and sweat equity, and came running to assist,” Sean said. Dave Gust rounded up John Butler and his two daughters; Ethan Peters and his girlfriend; and James Warren (JW) who enlisted Phillip Gault and Leon Robinson (Porkchop) from a jobsite crew. John Martin and his son were there along with a crew from SI Goldman. Key subcontractors from the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge project rose to the occasion and made it possible to pull off the project. Carlos West, Dave O’Bryan and the staff at Florida Business Interiors provided the tile flooring, materials and labor. The tile can be mopped daily, which is a vast improvement over the old carpeting. Scott Keen and Donny Pittman from Commercial Coatings provided paint and labor to repaint the walls and lockers. The large bunk beds and lockers had to be moved from side to side while the tile was being installed, so everyone got involved. “These companies are true partners. They were there for us on the job, and they pitched in to help the Coalition because it was a project they believed in,” said Sean. The Coalition for the Homeless is the largest provider of homeless services in Central Florida. Their mission is to return residents to self-sufficiency through counseling, job training and educational programs.