Fresh paint lifts spirits and brings community center to life

Doing more with less is a common struggle in today’s tough economy. Nonprofit organizations, in particular, are feeling the pinch. But thanks to the Finishing Contractors Association of Chicago (FCAC), one organization is boosting morale and saving much-needed dollars.

The nonprofit Family Matters in Rogers Park recently welcomed 12 members of Painters’ District Council 14, who donated their time and skills to give the facility a big makeover. They painted common areas, including the basement, first and second floors, and stairwells, in fresh, cheerful colors.

“This is a huge gift,” says Tawanna Brown, deputy director for Family Matters. “The beautification on the inside reflects how we feel as a community. This is a second home for many people, and having that reflected aesthetically is important to us.”

Established in 1987, Family Matters provides diverse programs for children, teens, and young adults and families to support them in achieving their goals. The focus is on academic achievement, leadership development, social and emotional learning, and health and fitness. The organization works with about 250 young people each year.

“Most of the youth at Family Matters are from lower-income families,” Brown says. “Families tell us they appreciate having a safe, positive place where they can come together and find equal acceptance, encouragement and challenges.”

Many of the FCAC contractors who volunteered for the project are unemployed, so they know firsthand how difficult it can be to scrape by with scarce resources. One member who led the effort to rally volunteers believes it’s important to reach out to others who are coping with challenging circumstances.

“I believe in helping others, especially at a time when so many people are struggling to make ends meet,” says Al Barraza, a painter for 12 years. “Everyone has been touched by this economy — from neighbors and friends to family and co-workers.”

It took 31 gallons of paint and several hours to make the Family Matters center look fresh again. Now, the young people who rely on its resources have a warmer and more welcoming environment. And they can take heart in knowing that their community cares.

For more information about the FCAC and its philanthropic projects, contact Clark Johnson at clarkj@finishingchicago.com, 630/737-1581.

FCAC contractors make life brighter for Chicago’s homeless

Chicago’s homeless come to Cornerstone Community Outreach Center for shelter, hot meals and life-enriching programs. Now, thanks to the Finishing Contractors Association of Chicago (FCAC), their surroundings are brighter and more inviting.

About 20 FCAC contractors volunteered their time and professional skills to give the inside of the shelter a dramatic facelift in October. It took two full days and 46 gallons of donated, high-quality paint to freshen common areas throughout the five-story building. The shelter is now even more welcoming for the more than 300 residents who make it their temporary home.

“It really lifts their spirits,” says Sandy Ramsey, Cornerstone’s executive director. “The residents usually stay here for only about three to four months, but we want them to feel as comfortable as possible.”

After making minor cosmetic repairs to the walls, FCAC contractors got to work in the shelter’s hallways and stairwells. These areas had not been painted in several years and featured a patchwork quilt of colors. These surfaces now have a unified and soothing look with soft white and honey-colored paint.

“The common areas really needed a makeover,” says Clark Johnson, the FCAC’s marketing director. “You can see an immediate difference. It looks so much more pleasant and bright.”

Skilled at working in occupied buildings, the contractors were respectful of residents’ privacy, working quickly and quietly. They also accommodated dozens of visitors who came to see the work as it was in progress, moving out of the way when needed.

“As successful members of the community, we have a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate and contribute to the common good,” says one FCAC contractor who participated in the project. “Cornerstone Community Outreach provides a critical service and has an amazing program. We’re glad to be in a position to help make life a little better for the people who rely on this vital organization.”

The shelter, which opened in 1989, relies on volunteers for day-to-day operations as well as improvement projects. Without the FCAC donating skilled labor, the facility would likely not have been painted for some time, and certainly not professionally, Ramsey says.

The initiative was part of the Benjamin Moore^® Color Across America project, which involved paint makeovers for shelters across the country.

The FCAC connects residential, commercial and industrial customers with the right painting, wallcovering and drywall finishing contractors throughout the greater Chicago area. FCAC contractors are licensed, bonded and insured, and they are 10- and 30-hour OSHA-trained.

For more information about the FCAC and its philanthropic projects, contact Clark Johnson at clarkj@finishingchicago.com, 630/737-1581.

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