AEC Cares June 5 Day of Service Fueled by Commitment to Sustainability

Volunteers will renovate home for boys in Washington, D.C., during one-day “building blitz” with support from presenting sponsor ConstructConnect

Washington, D.C., June 4, 2024 – Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 5, the annual AEC Cares Day of Service will renovate Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s Residential Empowerment Adolescent Community Home (REACH) – a residence in Capitol Hill for boys ages 12-17 who are awaiting trial and in need of additional support – with a focus this year on incorporating sustainable building products.  

AEC Cares, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that brings together members of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries, is made possible by the donations of generous sponsors and donors, including founding member and primary organizer ConstructConnect. This year’s AEC Cares project reflects the organization’s continued commitment to transforming spaces and lives through the efforts of nearly 100 volunteers as well as pro bono design and general contractor team members.   

As part of the project, the newly redesigned home incorporates sustainably sourced building products, including donated, repurposed furniture from ConstructConnect, overstock flooring, provided by Spartan Surfaces and other home furnishing provided by partner Community Forklift. Additionally, the project includes Low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint used throughout the property made possible by product donations from PPG and products with low embodied carbon count, such as ACT tiles donated by CCE Specialties, Inc. 

 Reflecting the circularity of today’s sustainable construction movement, AEC Cares Project DC not only incorporates materials that can go through multiple life cycles, but also avoids the use of single use plastic bottles on the construction site and includes giveaways that are made from recycled content.  

Renovation efforts will focus on enhancing a homelike environment for the young residents of REACH while also creating spaces to support the home’s mission to provide an alternative to institutionalization through individual, group, and family counseling, educational remediation, life skills coaching, and self-esteem building. 

“Like others in the industry, AEC Cares is committed to diverting as much waste as possible from ending up in landfills, including designing and building in a way that uses recycled materials,” said President of AEC Cares and ConstructConnect Chief Product Officer Jennifer Johnson. “We are thrilled to be able to incorporate sustainable building principles as we work to make Sasha Bruce Youthwork’s REACH property a more hospitable environment for its young residents.” 

Other industry partners including YKK AP America Inc., Andersen Windows & Doors, Levolor, Mapei, Material Bank, PPG, RAB, ROCKWOOL Insulation, Sika USA, Spartan Surfaces, and USG as well as pro bono team members Whiting-Turner, Ian Walker, CRB, CannonDesign, Perkins Eastman, WDG, Teass Warren Architects, and Stantec. 

To learn more, visit AECCares.com. 

About ConstructConnect
At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information that construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our keen insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, building product manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions, streamline preconstruction workflows, and maximize their productivity. Our newest offerings – including our comprehensive, AI-assisted software – help our clients find, bid, and win more projects. Visit ConstructConnect.com to learn more.  

About AEC Cares
AEC Cares is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation led and supported by founding partner ConstructConnect as well as generous sponsors, donors, and volunteers. Bringing together architects, contractors, manufacturers, and industry professionals, AEC Cares works to create positive change through meaningful projects that benefit a new community every year. To learn more, visit AECCares.com. 

About Sasha Bruce Youthwork  
Sasha Bruce Youthwork is proud to celebrate its 50 years of empowering youth. We believe that stronger youth and stronger communities are simply better together. Through a holistic approach to care, Sasha Bruce has been disrupting the cycle of homelessness for over 6,500 young people and their families while creating opportunities for them to thrive in the greater Washington, D.C., region. Learn more about how we are building stronger communities at SashaBruce.org.