NWiR SoCal Council and Roofing Community Come to the Rescue

Since 2017 the SoCal Council of National Women in Roofing (NWiR) has been a dedicated supporter of the Alexandria House and the great work they do to provide safe and supportive housing to women and children as they transition to economically stable and permanent housing. The SoCal council and friends refused to let a fire and Covid-19 stand in the way of their support in the shelter’s time of need…

On March 21, 2020, the Alexandria House was ravaged by an electrical fire.  Fortunately, all staff, residents and their children were able to safely exit the house unharmed, but the house sustained extensive electrical and roofing damage, much of which was not covered by their insurance. The cost to repair the d areas alone totaled $24,000.00, but the entire roof was in disrepair which would amount to a staggering $70,450.00 cost.

Where to look for help:  Alexandria House Director, Michele Richards, turned to the people she knew she could count on in the past, and contacted Maria Alcala, NWiR SoCal Chair, to see if they could help.  Maria and the SoCal Council sprang into action and contacted their long-time friends and colleagues in the roofing industry for help:

  • IKO Roofing Shingles: who graciously agreed to donate 60 squares (6,000 ft) of shingles.
  • Pete Latta, of In-O-Vate Rapid Ridge immediately provided the ridge.
  • Ben Hanfling, V.P., Bay Cities Metal, Gardena, donated all the metal required to complete the project.
  • Final Touch Construction, Fontana, CA generously donated the labor bringing in ALL of his roofers.

The Work Begins: Even Covid-19 restrictions in the state of California would

not deter the roofing community’s call to action!  The Alexandria House project begins February 25, 2021.

Thanks to the NWIR SoCal Council and the generosity of their roofing industry partners: IKO, Innovation Rapid Ridge, Bay Cities Metal, and Final Touch Construction, the entire roof will be repaired and a safe environment will be restored for the women and children living at the Alexandria House.  It takes a community to restore a home.

***Founded in 1996, Alexandria House is a transitional residence and house of hospitality. They provide safe and supportive housing for women and children in the process of moving from emergency shelter to economic stability and permanent housing.