Santa Francesa house dedicated at St. Jude's

Last year US Home pledged to complete construction of Santa Francesca, an independent living facility at St. Jude's Ranch for Children in Boulder City.

The ranch houses abused, abandoned, neglected and other at-risk children from infancy to 21 years.

Last Wednesday the builder made good on its promise as the transitional home for residents age 15 and older was dedicated before numerous representatives of US Home and its subcontractors, local dignitaries, supporters of the organization and other invited guests.

The single-story structure measures 6,400 square feet and will house 14 young adults, each in a private bedroom with bath. An independent living coordinator and an independent living specialist will share the home, which also features a kitchen, lounge and patio.

All of the home's furnishings were provided through the combined efforts of area residents Richie Clyne and Sue Sullivan in addition to Robert Deiro and Associates. Each "graduating" resident will be given their bedroom furnishings to help them start their new life when they leave the program. The donors have pledged to refurnish each bedroom as its occupant leaves.

Santa Francesca's beginnings were not so rosy.

Five years ago, a benefactor had pledged to fund its construction, yet after the foundation and framing were in place, the funding ended. The turn of events shattered the dreams of the 14 young adults who had hoped to live there, as well as those of the people who would teach them about living on their own. The unfinished structure sat undisturbed for 4 1/2 years.

In fall 2002, Mike DeSilva, president of US Home's Las Vegas division, was preparing for the company's inaugural Swing For Life charity golf tournament. A beneficiary had yet to be named.

DeSilva and Jim Turner, division vice president, sat down with the staff at St. Jude's.

"Mike and I told them we hoped to be able to donate $50,000 from the fund-raiser," Turner said. "They told us about the unfinished Santa Francesca building, and asked if we would have any objections if they used the funds to continue construction.

"We just knew that one way or another we could finish it. Swing For Life would be more than just a fund-raiser; it would be our promise to the children at St. Jude's that we were committed to making Santa Francesca a reality."

The December 2002 tournament raised more than $200,000, but with an estimated total cost of nearly $530,000 to complete construction, more help was needed. That's when more than two dozen of US Home's building partners stepped forward with donations of time and materials.

"Our building partners are incredible," Turner said. "In addition to their original financial commitment for our fund-raiser, they have all donated additional goods, services and the labor necessary to make this happen."

DeSilva agreed.

"This was a labor of love for all of us at US Home and for all of our vendors," DeSilva said. "Santa Francesca is a lasting tribute to the overwhelming generosity of everyone involved."

At the dedication, the Rev. Steve Mues, chief executive of St. Jude's, addressed the crowd, as did DeSilva and Turner. Krystal, an 18-year-old resident, thanked everyone who helped bring Santa Francesca to fruition. She will be among the home's first occupants in January.

Topping off the ceremony was DeSilva's presentation of a $175,000 check to Mues to fund Santa Francesca's day-to-day operations.

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