Heart BEAT Building Heart in Housing
Fall 2017
A B AT C F O U N D AT I O N N E W S L E T T E R
MACV PROJECT
Ground Breaking June 27, 2017
The Rachel Project —Before & After It was an emotional reveal as Rachel Dickinson stepped into her newly remodeled basement for the first time! The BATC Foundation, Special Spaces, and build partner Ispiri were happy to present her with an amazing space that she will be able to use for years to come. Two years ago, Rachel experienced a series of health events that led to a diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease and a type of malformation of the spine. For more than two years, Rachel’s world has consisted of hospitals (her longest stay was 86 days!), doctors and multiple surgeries. Because of her illness, Rachel is homebound much of the time and has missed a lot of school. One of the things that got Rachel through this tough time was creating art. The BATC Foundation, Special Spaces and Ispiri designed Rachel’s new basement to feature plenty of space for her to create.
The BATC Foundation began talking with the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) in late 2015 in regard to building a home. This project has had more than its share of challenges over the past two years, but construction is finally underway. This beautiful new home will be occupied by veteran headed families who are transitioning out of homelessness. MACV currently operates more than a dozen homes for single adults, but this home will be MACV’s first that will provide housing for veterans together with their families who are experiencing homelessness. Lennar stepped up and has designed a beautiful five-bedroom home, with
a master bedroom on the main floor for handicap accessibility. The style of the home matches the character of the east St. Paul neighborhood with an inviting front porch and complimented with a detached garage. The BATC Foundation and MACV held the groundbreaking ceremony together with build partnerLennar Minnesota, to launch this exciting new build project on June 26. Representatives of the BATC Foundation, build partner Lennar, MACV, Saint Paul City Council member Jane Prince and Senator Foung Hawj all made remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony.
Once completed the home will be owned and operated by MACV and used to house veteran-headed families for many years to come. While in the home, residents will work with MACV case managers to overcome their housing, employment, and legal barriers. This critical program gives homeless veterans the support and confidence to once again find success for brighter futures. Your chance to see this beautiful home will come with this Fall’s Parade of Homes as it will be featured as a “special kind” of Dream Home open to the public.