Tile Partners add ceramic elegance to homes for those in need

The turbulence of nature's realities have made the refrain "there's no place like home" too commonplace this past year for thousands, as countless have had to rely upon the kindness of strangers to rebuild the structures of their lives.

Now, through the generosity of skilled, local craftspeople that experience has been transformed with the addition of a ceramic foundation for their future. In association with Habitat for Humanity, Tile Partners for Humanity have come together to add a touch of convenience and elegance to more than 200 houses for those in need.

Founded in 2002, the Tile Partners bring together hundreds of local skilled contractors and supplies to augment the original plans of Curt Rapp of The TileDoctor.com and Gray LaFortune of the Ceramic Tile Institute of America. At the time of their initiation, the Tile Partners set their nonprofit goal as offering $1,250,000 in charitable support.

Within the first two years, they had achieved $800,000 of that goal, making their charitable mission doable. Allyson Fertitta, the Tile Partners' Executive Director, says they may have reached the full goal in 2005 (the final count is not yet complete), but definitely will in 2006.

"We are actively engaged in discussion with officials in New Orleans, LA and Houston, TX that should provide us with the chance to contribute to over 1,000 housing projects this coming year alone!"

As Millard Fuller, Founder and President of Habitat for Humanity has said about the Tile Partners: "I think this partnership will help us educate our affiliates across the country to the importance of building a house that is usable by the families and which, by its very nature, will be easy to clean and the families will be able to keep clean at a very minimal expense."

New homeowner Veronica Arce of Houston, TX agrees. She said in a private correspondence that she was thrilled to be part of the first neighborhood to use donated tiles. Arce lives in the new house with her husband Gregorio and their daughters Crystal, 12, Janet, 9, Emily, 6, and Beatrice, 4 ½. In addition to the house being in a safer neighborhood, it is more practical for maintenance and wear:

"We came in right after they installed it and it was so exciting! I've always wanted a floor with tile. We don't like the linoleum … because it tears whenever you try to move the refrigerator or anything. We were excited to be chosen for tile!"

The Tile Partner idea is straightforward. Local businesses or individuals can offer qualifying donations directly to an area Habitat affiliate (where they receive a tax-deduction of twice the value of the product) or to an associated store, where the products can be sold to support homebuilding needs in general.

Skilled local contractors either do the work or train Habitat volunteers, young and old alike over 16 years. Increasing numbers of vocational technical programs are finding this kind of service to be excellent hands-on skills training for students wanting a trade education.

The Tile Partners particularly seek donations of

· Ceramic or porcelain tile for floors and walls: neutral color, no pattern, ideally 12x12 or similar size for floor tile

· Floor preparation materials, including backerboard or crack suppression materials

· Setting materials, including thinset and grout

· Tile tools

· Tile and grout cleaners and sealers

These tiles are primarily used for the 250 to 400 square feet of "wet areas" of the selected homes, including entryways, kitchens, bathrooms and such.

Donations of artistic or patterned tiles generally go to the stores for resale. The homes are built to accommodate general decorating designs. Local labor and direct monetary contributions are also critical.

Funding for the Tile Partners comes predominately from the tile industry itself, at least to date. However, the program recently received a general operational grant from the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation.

Their 2006 emphasis will be on the Katrina families without losing their desire to continue helping across the nation.

"There is only so much we can do with a one-person office," noted Director Fertitta. But their goals have grown substantially from what was originally conceived of by the founders working out of Norcross, GA.

Contributions or other forms of assistance to the Tile Project can be made via their Website, www.tpfh.com.

Local contributors can also offer assistance by identifying a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate at www.habitat.org. These locations can also provide information on area stores or other financial needs.