David Weekley Homes is well-known as a leader in volunteer and philanthropic efforts within the home building industry. Across the nation, it grants its Team Members paid volunteer days to allow them to donate their time to causes that inspire them and often matches funds raised by Team Members for local charities. An extension of the company’s Purpose of Building Dreams, Enhancing Lives, David Weekley Homes’ CARE program demonstrates that it is Committed to building community character, Active in and Responsible to the communities it serves, and focused on Enhancing its local communities. This dedication earned the award-winning national homebuilder a #37 spot on People® magazine’s 2024 list of Companies That Care. In May 2025, David Weekley Homes Atlanta Division furthered that vision by partnering with HomeAid Georgia to benefit the Atlanta nonprofit, Calvary Refuge Center.

A 501(c)(3) non-profit homeless shelter situated in Forest Park, Calvary Refuge Center endeavors to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness transition to self-sufficiency with dignity and pride. In addition to emergency and short-term housing, it often supplies meals to those in need. Unfortunately, after decades of service, many of its facilities had fallen into disrepair. HomeAid Georgia made David Weekley Homes Atlanta aware of the situation, and the builder made the nonprofit the focus of its annual Build Day event. To help supply materials and additional hands, the builder sought the aid of its broad network of vendors. Leading the charge for the Atlanta Division was Samantha Adams, Land Development Associate and CARE Program Coordinator.

“It’s a good place to be to work for a company that genuinely cares for the community,” said Adams. “I didn’t come from much, and I remember the impact the kindness of others had on my own life. Being in a position to give back and positively impact others truly means a great deal to me. The scope of work we were able to complete on behalf of Calvary Refuge and its clients would not have been possible without the prep work of our vendors, and even more came out to help on the actual day. All told, we engaged more than 50 Team Members, vendors, and family members on our 2025 Build Day, and what we were able to accomplish together was nothing short of miraculous. It was more than a construction project. It was a unifying effort driven by heart, sweat, and teamwork. The Calvary Refuge Center now offers improved comfort, dignity, and safety for those it serves, and we’re proud of every partner who made that happen.”

Adams reported that a total of 240 volunteer hours were involved in completing over 100 tasks. Included among them was the remediation of five rooms that had been overtaken by mold, which involved new sheetrock, fresh coats of paint, air conditioning unit repairs, and the installation of humidistats in the bathrooms and ceiling fans in the main room. The crew of volunteers also removed old bunk beds and built 10 new bunk beds on-site. In addition, volunteers fully renovated 20 rooms, applied 60 gallons of paint throughout, refitted bathrooms with new fixtures, and built cubbies for residents to stow their belongings. They also framed a chapel wall to support the original stained glass, adding drywall and shiplap to make it sound. Not limited to the facility’s interior alone, David Weekley Homes’ grading partners fixed water infiltration issues on the property, stabilizing and channeling water away from the facility. Other outdoor improvements included the placement of play-safe mulch in the playground and around landscaping after weeding the gardens and planting bushes and trees to enhance the area's appearance for Calvary Refuge clients, volunteers, and employees to enjoy. 

Adams also shared that due to all the support and donations of its vendors, including a $10k donation from David Weekley Homes Dovetail Foundation, they were able to purchase a new industrial stove and oven for Calvary Refuge Shelter’s kitchen as a surprise. Vendors that gave time and treasure to the effort included Weaver Grading, Earthly Matters, Builder's Carpentry Source, Outdoor Expressions, Strack, Sherwin Williams, PDI, Pace Drywall, Superior Drywall, A&B Framing, MSF Electric, Reliance Heating & Air, Georgia Specialty Products, iCaptureHomes Photography, Alpha-Omega Construction Group, Patriot Portables, Contract Lumber, Strathmore Floors, and Northwest Exterminating. She also sang the praises of the HomeAid Georgia team for making it all possible."We are always excited to work with our friends at David Weekley Homes Atlanta,” said Mandy Crater, Executive Director of HomeAid Georgia. “With five completed CARE Days together since 2019, HomeAid’s partnership with David Weekley Homes has provided savings of more than $232,000 for nonprofits serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. This year, in particular, was one of our largest efforts to date, saving $97,000 for Calvary Refuge. The work that David Weekley Homes and their amazing trade partners completed reopened five additional units to house families and provided much-needed repairs and cosmetic upgrades throughout the facility. I love my job because I get to bring together amazing people from both the building and nonprofit worlds to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. Together, we hope to build a future without homelessness."

To learn more about Calvary Refuge Center and make a donation in support of its mission to offer a safe, faith-based environment for individuals and families while providing the tools to transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency with dignity and pride, please visit https://www.calvaryrefuge.org/home.