SHOUT OUT TO OUR VOLUNTEERS & PARTNERS

THANK YOU to all our volunteers and partner organizations that have supported our work this past year! 2007 has been an amazing year for AWB with many projects completed and others moving forward toward construction — everyone who has involved has been very grateful for our efforts and expertise. We wanted to give special thanks to all the volunteers who helped with the Washington flood response – see below under project news for a full list of volunteers. There are too many people to list by name, but we wanted to give special recognition to the Sri Lanka Orphanage team, led by Evan Bourquand and Ben Dalton, and thanks to Miller/Hull for donating firm time to enable Evan and Ben to devote so much time to the project!

PLEASE HELP US GROW

Please consider making a year-end donation to AWB– any amount helps! You can donate here. We are a 501(c)3 organization, so any contribution is fully tax deductible. Another great way to support us is to designate part of your United Way contributions to AWB-Seattle. We can be chosen on the United Way Pledge Form under “My Choice” “D. Optional: Gifts to other 501(c)3 nonprofits”.

EVENT NEWS

ALL MEMBER MEETING – JAN. 10TH

Come join us for an all member gathering and see what was accomplished in 2007 and look forward to 2008. The meeting is at Piecora’s (1405 E Madison St) at 6pm.

ARCHITORTURE – CARVE FOR A CAUSE 2007

On a cold October night, people gathered to witness a bizarre spectacle – architects, designers, and friends staring at grotesque and misshapen pumpkins. The carved pumpkins did not survive to see Winter, but they contributed to a great fundraiser. Architects in town contributed over $4,000 to AWB-Seattle – and perfect timing – as this funding recently helped AWB to quickly organize volunteer teams to perform damage assessments following the recent floods (see below). Thank you all who participated and made this a great event. Keep an eye out for next year and sharpen the knives.

PROJECT NEWS

photos by Shannon McConnell

WASHINGTON STATE FLOOD RESPONSE Centralia, WA
Approximately 25 volunteers attended the ATC 45 Wind and Water Damage Assessment Training offered both in Seattle and Tacoma. AWB/AIA thanks the legendary Ben Emam who volunteered his time and wisdom to instruct these courses over the December 8th weekend. Volunteers then deployed to Centralia, WA the following week asssiting the City of Centralia in assessing damaged buildings for homeowners. Thank you to all the volunteers: John Hansen, George Braslaw, Ron Turner, Bill Swanson, Owen Richards, Kate Cudney, Tom Mulica, Roger Stocker, Dan Podoll, Marianne Pulfer, Shannon McConnell, Nate Harrold, Chris Webb, Coffield King, Dan Nelson, Don Brubeck, Fred Redmon, Dave Clark, Rachel Minnery, Ben Emam, Scott Boyer and special thanks to Stan Bowman for helping to coordinate the effort.

The assessments are complete; however, volunteers are still needed to work in the community assisting the City with documentaion of rebuilding efforts for the city’s emergency permitting process. Volunteers would interview homeowners and document the work that building owners are completing. If you are interested in helping out please contact Rachel Minnery rachelm@awb-seattle.org

RABOUR VILLAGE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER Rabuor, KENYA

In September, AWB completed schematic design for the vocational school which will provide skills training for youth in Southwest Kenya. In October, Rabuor Village Project, (www.rabourvillageproject.org ), a Seattle-based non-profit, held a fund-raising auction and raised a significant portion of the funds for the vocational training center. In January 2008, AWB will be moving forward with design and documentation for the center – if you are interested in joining the design team, please contact Tom Mulica (tmulica@orarchitects.com). Phased construction is proposed to start in summer of 2008.

AWB / HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECTS Greater Seattle Area

Westway – AWB is participating in a workday on January 19th, 10am – 3pm. We will be working with highschool and college students to do some plantings, fix fences, and potential brainstorming on the entry to the community. For more information, or if you are interested in participating, please contact: Rachel Meyer, rachelm@bergerpartnership.com or 206.325.6877

Roxbury - As Habitat works on some utility and civil issues, things are gearing up for a workday some time in February – stay tuned for more info!

AURORA BRIDGE SUICIDE BARRIER Seattle, WA

AWB is serving as Design Representative for the organization Seattle FR.I.E.N.D.S. (FRemont Individuals, Employees, and Non-Profits to Decrease Suicides) in the process of designing a suicide barrier for the Aurora Bridge. Please stay tuned for an open forum/ workshop on the barrier in late January and a charrette open to all in mid February! We hope to see many of you here! For more information contact please check out the Seattle FRIENDS website (www.seattlefriends.org)or contact Marc Pevoto marcpevoto@johnstonarchitects.com or Rachel Minnery rachelm@awb-seattle.org.