Giving Back to Houston

Giving Back to Houston

By Jane Page Crump

Jane Page Design Group

 

I encourage my staff to give back to the community by being involved with non-profit groups. Presently, everyone on my staff is volunteering with the Covenant House Texas organization where they help with birthday parties and special events such as the Valentine dance for the young Covenant House individuals who would not have a birthday party or even attend a Valentine dance without the efforts of others wanting and willing to help. Laura Timanus and Amanda Crump recently were responsible for the table decorations at the annual Covenant House Gala and have been on this committee for several years. Covenant House Texas offers homeless and/or abused teenagers a safe haven while helping them with their problems.

  

 I have been involved with non-profit groups for most of my life and have enjoyed every minute of it. Helping those who are in need of help is very satisfying. I just joined the Houston Habitat for Humanity board and I am looking forward to giving my time and efforts to their incredible work in Houston.

  

 I am also on the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance Board. This organization promotes the maintenance of Houston’s architectural history, both commercial and residential. If you are ever aware of a historical building that is facing decay or demolition, please contact the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance website at www.ghpa.org.

 

 Whether it’s helping the youth at Covenant House, laying a brick for Habitat for Humanity or contributing to the restoration of a Houston’s architectural and cultural heritage for the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, giving back to Houston ultimately means securing a beautiful future in Houston which is where I proudly call home.

  

If you have any interest in volunteering at any of the mentioned non-profit groups mentioned

 

www.covenanthousetx.org

 

www.houstonhabitat.org

 

www.ghpa.org

 

Design For Aging

According to an ASID survey of U.S. homeowners, most Americans (82%) want to remain in their homes as they age, even if they should require assistance and care. What's more, AARP research shows that more than half (52%) of American homeowners age 45 and older are interested in receiving information about remaining in their homes as they get older.
  - http://www.asid.org/designservices/basics/accessible/aging/

“Aging in place” is a term used in the design world to describe making a home easily accessible as people age. In today’s society, there are many housing alternatives to living in your own home such as retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. Recently, however, companies have designed and manufactured new pieces of furniture and household appliances in order to make it easier for the aging society to stay in their current homes as they age. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the design of your home being compromised by the look of hospital-like furniture.

At Jane Page Design Group, whether we are designing a new home or remodeling a space, we make sure to inform our clients of the importance of ADA accessibility. Some clients require their whole house to be wheelchair accessible, where as others prefer to have one room accessible in order to support an aging friend or family member. For example, many of our clients ask to make their bathrooms accessible. When our firm designs a bathroom, there are many aspects we take into consideration. We make sure all of the doors are 36”W with lever handles, which makes the space wheelchair accessible, and makes the doors easy to open in the instance that the client loses the ability to grip with their hands. Instead of having a curb on the shower, we make the floor slope slightly to the drain, in order for the client to access the shower in a wheelchair if needed. Grab bars are usually not needed right away, therefore, we block out the appropriate areas in the walls to allow for the client to add grab bars when necessary.

                                         - Kendra Benson, Jane Page Design Group