April is National Volunteer Month! For the past 40 years, one of ODA Architecture’s core values has been to give back to the community. We support many organizations and charities with our time and resources. This month, our newsletter is dedicated to celebrating the nine charities that we support and who are near to our hearts. These incredible organizations make people’s lives and our community a better place. As architects, we love designing physical shelters for people. “Shelter” can take many forms, but is often a psychological refuge from hunger, despair, disabilities or uncertainty. ODA Architecture has been fortunate to help create sanctuaries for many less fortunate individuals that need a hand.
To celebrate ODA’s 40th anniversary, every employee has pledged 40 hours of service before our November milestone. We thank the following nine organizations that ODA has been privileged to assist and praise the amazing work these organizations tirelessly provide in creating shelter for their communities.
Celebrating their 20th year, Victory Junction is a camp for kids with serious and chronic illnesses. This special place, in Randleman, North Carolina, allows the campers the freedom to explore, have fun and “just be kids”. The camp is a retreat from the kids’ daily home lives, where they are not able to participate in the fun activities that most kids enjoy, but often take for granted. With all venues completely accessible to all campers, Victory Junction allows the kids to swim, ride horses, fish, explore a tree house, perform, canoe, compete in sports and go zip-lining.
The mission of Roof Above is to unite the community to end homelessness, one life at a time. Roof Above was established out of a collaboration of Urban Ministry Center and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte. Both organizations have been long recognized as community leaders in fighting homelessness. Their vision is that every person should have the safety, stability and dignity of “home”. ODA has had the privilege of assisting this organization with creative design time and volunteering to help them serve 1,200 people per day.
Humane Society of Charlotte (HSC) works to improve the community by creating new, loving families, and building a world where there are no more homeless or unwanted animals. For every animal we can connect with a new family, another animal in need comes to HSC’s shelter. HSC is a community resource committed to delivering effective, innovative services that strengthen the human animal bond and improve the lives of companion animals and the people who care for them. Our vision is for Charlotte to be a humane community, for animals and people, and one in which we all live harmoniously.
Bright Blessings is a volunteer-led organization that impacted 28,487 homeless and impoverished children in 2023. Bright Blessings has the core programs of Bless-ABirthday, Bless-A-Baby, Gifts of Literacy and Gift of Care. Bright Blessings has partnerships with 30 local agencies and school districts to provide books and meals for underprivileged children.
Celebrating its 33rd anniversary, the Allegro Foundation is an organization that champions children with disabilities. Allegro’s philosophy emphasizes the total learning process by combining cognitive and muscle memories together to stimulate sequential and conceptual learning, problem-solving skills and communication. Allegro Foundation helps children with building motor skills, physical coordination and eliciting strong emotional and psychological changes in the body.
Nourish Up formed with the merger of two long-standing non-profits that have a rich history of fighting hunger: Loaves & Fishes and Friendship Trays. Nourish Up supports their communities by providing groceries to people in need through a network of food pantries in North Carolina. Nourish Up delivers healthy meals each weekday and accepts no excuses for anyone going hungry.
Rebuilding Together assists with making essential house repairs to assist the less fortunate to stay in their homes. Rebuilding Together’s mission is repairing and improving homes, revitalizing communities and rebuilding lives by creating safe homes and communities for everyone. Their work often goes beyond each home to working closely with community residents and leaders to help in revitalizing their communities.
Hearts to Hand, Charlotte is an organization dedicated to serving the homeless population in Charlotte. Their mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, to improve the mental health and overall well-being of those less fortunate. Hearts to Hand addresses needs within the Charlotte Inner City by providing support, love, fellowship and hope to the less fortunate.
Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte is a part of a global non-profit housing organization working in 50 states and 70 countries. Habitat’s vision seeks to create a world where everyone has shelter and a satisfactory place to live. Habitat for Humanity works toward their vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of sufficient affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region was founded in 1983 by seven local churches, and has remained a top Habitat for Humanity affiliate since its establishment.
Celebrating 40 years in 2024
ODA Architecture, established in 1984 celebrates 40 years in business in 2024, providing architectural expertise to clients in Charlotte, NC and throughout the eastern United States. ODA’s foundation is built on a collaborative and entrepreneurial environment that puts the client first to produce an outstanding experience and FUNomenal Design.
Thanks for your amazing work and dedication!
Stephen F. Overcash (704) 905-0423 – Managing Principal, ODA Architecture
