Community Involvement

At Talmadge Construction, we are deeply involved in community causes

CASA Renovates Home Office With Jeff Talmadge

In 2010, CASA purchased an old home that they wanted to use as a space for volunteers and the children they work with to enjoy time with each other. However, the house needed extensive remodeling and updating to meet the needs of their organization. Jeff Talmadge of Talmadge Construction stepped in and spearheaded a seven-month project to help manage the remodel.

The Santa Cruz County chapter of CASA, also known as Court Appointed Special Advocates for children, is a non-profit organization comprised of community volunteers who help children and youth in foster care in our local community. The planned remodel aimed to make the building a functional office for everyday staff use as well as an inviting space for the children of CASA to spend time. The remodel included offices for staff, a meeting room, a kitchen, a play room, an arts and crafts room, and a media/learning center.

At the time of the project, Jeff was on the Board of Directors of CASA, and he helped to raise $1.5 million in the capital campaign to buy and renovate the house. He worked with the volunteer architect and engineer to remodel the home and bring it into compliance as a commercial building. Jeff also recruited, coordinated and managed teams of volunteers to help the renovation where they best fit. CASA estimates that Jeff’s volunteer work saved the organization over $200,000 in renovation costs.

“They did an amazing job,” said Cynthia Druley, Executive Director of CASA. “When done, the home area for the children looked like it had always been here. The materials and finishes are beautiful and fit the age period of the house and it’s an incredibly warm and inviting place for our children.”

Druley also explained that she appreciates how many people in the community had a part in renovating the space and that they feel the pride in the project. “One volunteer, a Judge of the Superior Court, regularly asks ‘How are the windows doing that I caulked?’”

CASA has over 250 volunteers who work one-on-one with almost 300 children each year. The children call the CASA house “their” CASA house, and they use the house to play games or dress-up, read, use computers, make art, and bake goods in the kitchen.

Jeff was awarded the 2011 Man of the Year award from the Aptos Chamber of Commerce for his work on this project for CASA.

“Every visitor comments on the warm and inviting feel of the house,” said Druley. “There are not enough good things that I can say about this house. It’s stupendous!”