The 2014 House for Hope is located at 3021 Newberry Lane in the Provenance community.

The House for Hope is a long-standing project between Community Renewal International, KSLA News 12 and the Homebuilders Association of Northwest Louisiana. Now in its sixth year, the fundraising effort features an annual raffle for a new, luxury home with proceeds directed to Community Renewal’s Friendship Houses.

Friendship Houses are strategically placed sanctuaries in low-income, high-crime neighborhoods. Operated by live-in Community Coordinators, these miniature community centers are facilitated in actual homes, giving local children easy access to resources provided in a safe, homey atmosphere. Friendship Houses offer afterschool programs that feature tutoring, GED classes, service projects, computer training, art and music lessons, family events, and much more. By focusing on building the character and education of each child, Community Renewal International works to build a better Shreveport-Bossier City.

The House for Hope raffle allows a new Friendship House to be opened every few years, growing the outreach significantly to include new areas of need.

The raffle, scheduled to be drawn June 30, offers 7,000 tickets to be purchased at $100 per ticket. Various prizes have been donated this year, including a 50-inch flat screen television given by Sound Minds, a gas grill given by Fireplace Specialties, a Microsoft Surface tablet given by BancorpSouth Mortgage and a $500 Visa gift card. Also one lucky winner will walk away holding the key to the grand prize – a dream home.

Each year, the president of the Homebuilders Association of Northwest Louisiana receives the task of building that year’s House for Hope. This year, Justin Sevier, managing partner of Vintage Construction Group was the builder. An offshoot of the highly successful Vintage Realty Company, VCG is committed to giving clients the homes they envision through detailed custom plans, quality materials, qualified staff and personal involvement with each project.

The 2014 House for Hope is located in a neighborhood that features over 90 of Vintage Construction Group’s homes – Provenance Community. The community is modeled after the nationally trending “traditional neighborhood developments.” Featuring a variety of home sizes and styles, Provenance offers something for everyone; whether newlyweds, a young family, empty nesters or retirees.

“No two homes are the same, and I think a lot of people are attracted by that,” Sevier said.

Provenance Community has luxury amenities including a neighborhood clubhouse and pool and over 10 acres of parks and ponds, with more in development. Another special element of Provenance Community is the commercial area. Just a short walk from the homes, the Windrush Village Marketplace gives residents convenient access to a variety of shopping and dining options. The marketplace currently includes two acclaimed restaurants, a primary medical facility, a fire department, a bank and an investment firm, a dry cleaners and a post office. In October, a veterinary office will join the community, and that is just the start of the vision for the Windrush Village Marketplace.

Valued at approximately $340,000, the 2014 House for Hope is a three bedroom, three bath home with 2,040 square feet. Beautifully appointed, the house features granite countertops, wood floors, designer-selected paint and accents and an outdoor kitchen. From the lights to the faucets to the closets, each detail was considered and thoughtfully planned. One fun highlight is in the master bath – a whirlpool tub (donated by Kohler), which contains its own set of speakers to give surround sound as you soak. Another special note is the Solatube skylight in the master bedroom’s closet – this state-of-the-art installation provides natural, sustainable light, along with reduced energy usage.

“We have had tremendous participation from local sub-contractors and suppliers, as well as the larger national brands,” Sevier said. “Everyone that we’ve approached has helped out in some way.”

This special home will not only bring joy to the recipient of the “golden ticket,” but will serve a greater purpose in our community.

“I am so thrilled to be involved in such a great project – Community Renewal International does so much for our community, and the Friendship Houses have truly had a wonderful impact in their areas,” Sevier said. “I am so happy that Vintage Construction Group can be a part of this effort.”

The House for Hope can be viewed as part of the Parade of Homes, May 31-June 1 and June 7-8. Tickets for the Parade of Homes route can be purchased at any local Brookshire’s grocery stores or any participating Parade Home for $5 each.

– Kayleigh Plette

For more information on the House for Hope or to purchase tickets, call 425-3222 or visit www.houseforhope.us.

For more information on Community Renewal International and their Friendship Houses, visit www.sbcr.us.