Local Firms Tsoi/Kobus & Associates and Commodore Builders Partner with United Way on Community Build Project

Residence for boys aging out of foster care selected for renovation

(Cambridge, MA—September 8, 2008) Tsoi/Kobus & Associates (TK&A), Commodore Builders of Newton, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley announced today they will collaborate on a major community build project at Putnam Place, a group home for teen boys aged 16-19 who have aged out of state foster care and are moving towards independence. Run by Cambridge Family & Children’s Service, Putnam Place will receive a renovation estimated to be worth more than $100,000.

“We’re thrilled to have been selected for this renovation,” says Denise Maguire, executive director of Cambridge Family & Children’s Service. “Our residential homes offer critical housing solutions for older teens preparing for independence, but who do not have family or friends they can rely upon to help them achieve success learning, working and contributing to society. We offer them the chance to learn life skills in a safe and supervised environment,” Maguire adds. “But like all community agencies, our resources are stretched. The idea of a new, comfortable space where the boys can study, pursue creative passions such as recording music, or just hang out is exciting to all of us.”

Putnam Place serves a serious unmet need in greater Boston. According to the National Foster Care Awareness Project, in the 12 to 18 months after leaving foster care, 27 percent of boys had been incarcerated, 37 percent had not finished high school, and 50 percent were unemployed. Studies have also found that 30 percent of the nation's homeless population is comprised of former foster children.

This year, TK&A is celebrating its 25-year anniversary in the city of Cambridge. When thinking about how best to mark this important milestone in the firm’s history, Principals Ed Tsoi, FAIA, and Rick Kobus, FAIA, FACHA, approached the United Way with an idea for giving back. “The entire firm is enthusiastic about this project,” says Kobus. “We’re putting our skills and talents to work on a space that right now is virtually unusable. We hope to transform the basement level of the house into a fun and functional space that will encourage conversation, nurture relationships and leave a lasting impression on the boys who live at Putnam Place now and in the future.”

Michael Durkin, president and CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley says one of the greatest challenges for young people coming out of foster care is finding a safe and supportive place to start their lives. “Tsoi/Kobus & Associates has recognized the importance of a positive home setting for these young men and has made a truly impressive commitment to encouraging them as they work to succeed at school, work, and life,” Durkin says.

Commodore Builders of Newton has volunteered to be the general contractor partner for the project and will work with TK&A to secure material and labor donations. Commodore Builders will provide the construction management services needed to complete the renovation. Construction is expected to take place in October with completion by early November. Employees of TK&A and Commodore will volunteer their time on the weekends to provide cosmetic upgrades to other areas of the house and yard. Joe Albanese, President of Commodore, is looking forward to his firm’s collaboration with TK&A. “Every teenager should have a place they can count on to call home. I’m happy Commodore can make a small contribution towards that end.”
The Community Build project will be documented on http://www.tka-architects.com and http://www.commodorebuilders.com as well as United Way’s blog “Speak United” http://www.speakunited.org.

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

Cambridge Family & Children’s Service
The agency’s mission is to identify and implement ways to strengthen family and individual self-sufficiency and promote conditions that provide all children and youth with stable homes and positive community environments. The agency’s vision includes a world that works for all children, regardless of their circumstances. CFCS believes that all children deserve to live and grow within a family—preferably the one they were born into—and when that is not possible, in a loving family that will commit to being a permanent life-long resource for them.

Commodore Builders

Commodore's mission is to set a new standard of excellence for the delivery of construction management services to our clients. Commodore believes the quality of the construction process is as important as the
quality of the construction. From project conception to preconstruction, execution, closeout and warranty service, Commodore's role is to anticipate and manage the risks inherent in construction. Commodore takes charge, so the process for clients is easy and the outcome is excellence in execution.

Tsoi/Kobus & Associates
TK&A was founded by Richard L. Kobus, FAIA, FACHA and Edward T. M. Tsoi, FAIA in 1983. Since then, the firm has grown from six employees to its current staff of 150 architects, interior designers and planners. TK&A specializes in four markets: healthcare, research and development, higher education and commercial real estate—projects that often involve intensive programs and systems, complex urban contexts, and permitting, operational, budgetary and schedule challenges. TK&A has earned nearly 100 design awards, and has been recognized by Architectural Record magazine as one of the country’s “Best Managed Firms,” by Engineering News-Record as one of the top 500 design firms, and by Architecture magazine as one of the Top 50 Global Giants. In July 2008, the Boston Business Journal named TK&A one of the area’s Top Corporate Charitable Contributors.