Salvation Army’s Transitional Living Center Project Successfully Completed

After almost two years of hard work, The Transitional Living Center (TLC), the ASID San Diego chapter community affairs project for 2003-2005, is now complete. The Salvation Army’s TLC houses homeless mothers and their children, and is located in Kearny Mesa just south of the Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Twelve committee members, including the Director of Community Affairs Kathleen Kita-Palmer, have spent countless hours creating warm and nurturing interior designs for the apartment and community areas. Their goal was to design pleasing and functional interiors to inspire these mothers and children to achieve their personal and professional goals while staying at the center.

The project involved the remodel of one prototype apartment, two community rooms, computer area, children’s play area and hallways. The existing spaces functioned poorly, felt cold, dark and somber and consisted of a compilation of Salvation Army furniture. The worn-out, stained carpeting, glossy baby blue walls and black leather sofas had to go!

Creating a sense of uniformity and warmth was paramount and a complete design program, including a new color scheme, was first on the agenda. The old, tired furniture was taken away and the flooring ripped-out. New carpeting, vinyl flooring, paint, lighting, furniture, window treatments, art and accessories were strategically placed throughout. The overall look is now very warm and consistent, and the spaces are infused with more light and color especially when compared to the previous design scheme!

In one of the community rooms a new children’s area was created. What a transformation! What a bright and happy space it is now! ASID Industry Partner, artist Lee Zasloff painted a beautiful mural of a whimsical tree, accented by friendly animals and insects. In the other community room a new computer area is portioned-off and has three new desks and coordinating burgundy chairs complete with an office panel for privacy. This area is perfect for job searches and personal business.

This project would never have been realized without the generosity of many people inside and out of ASID. More than 70 individuals and companies have generously donated time, money and/or products to this wonderful project. A huge thank you goes to all those listed below!

First and foremost, the Community Affairs Committee, which was the backbone to the success of the TLC’s remodel include: Jaimi Anghel, Allied Member ASID, Allison Beach, Student Member ASID, Nastaran Ghomi, Architectural Consultant, Rosario Gomez-Cochrane, Allied Member ASID, Raymond Hanson, ASLA, Sandra Jimenez, Allied Member ASID, Marty Joyce, Manufacture’s Rep., Kathleen Kita-Palmer, ASID (chair), Ginny Lodge, Vicky Lodge, Allied Member ASID, Katy Mellon, Allied Member ASID and Etta Osborn, Allied Member ASID (co-chair). Without this strong and committed team, the TLC project would not have come to fruition.

Without the contributions from our wonderful Industry Partners, the transformation would have never occurred. The Committee salutes the generosity of the following IP members: Goalmaker, Inc., Janks Construction Inc., J.W. Floor Covering Inc., Lisa Davis Upholstery, McKay Photographics, Outrageous Rugs, Raymond Hansen Inc., Rug Palace, San Diego Silk Floral Exchange, Winfield Floor & Window Coverings and Zasloff Art & Design. Thank you for your support!

Other philanthropic companies that have made product and/or labor donations include: KBM Services, KB Homes, Modern Technology Innovations, Benjamin Moore Paints, 3 Blind Mice and IKEA San Diego.

Many big-hearted ASID members have donated money and are too numerous to list, but those who contributed $50 or more include: Jan Bast, ASID, Norma Byrd, ASID, Jean Collins, ASID, Karen Fink, ASID, Barbara Grigsby, ASID, Donna Hendrix, ASID, Jane Johnson, ASID, Maura Johnson, ASID, Estelle Lipsick-Alpert, FASID, Sandra Osborn, ASID, Marsha Paine, ASID, Marsha Sewell, ASID, Damian Tuggey, ASID, Jeanne Wheaton, Allied Member ASID, Vicki Wilson, ASID and Laura Wireman, Allied Member ASID. Every dollar was needed and well spent – thank you.

Because of the design community’s incredible support, the TLC project is a wonderful success. The common areas function better and look brighter, feel warmer and have a calm sense of uniformity. In fact, the director of the center, Pam Peterson, has noticed the women and children seem happier then before the remodel, and the children have become more courteous as a result of their newly designed spaces they call home. The TLC project was a success from every standpoint.