Demonstrating our culture of giving back to the community, thirteen Bourns employees and their family members volunteered their time over two weekends in October on a very worthwhile Habitat for Humanity project in Riverside. The Mulberry Street Village project comprises 10 small homes that will serve as temporary housing for the homeless.  Homelessness is a growing concern in Riverside and this project is one of many projects the City of Riverside Housing Authority is managing to combat homelessness in the community.

Bourns employees are part of a 100-person team of volunteers and professional builders constructing the small homes. Each home features a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, washer and dryer and can house up to two people.  Enhancing quality of life, the Mulberry Street Village will have a neighborhood garden for residents to grow fruits and vegetables and a central green space for relaxation and recreation. The project commenced on October 1 after an 18-month delay due to Covid-19 with the aggressive goal of framing five homes on pre-laid foundations on [each day of] two consecutive Saturdays.

With the generous help of Bourns volunteers, we are happy to report the framing of Mulberry Street Village is complete, and the plumbing and electrical work is under way.  The Bourns Team is looking forward to working on the roofs, finishing the interiors and working on the landscaping over the coming months.  Gordon Bourns, Chairman and CEO of Bourns, said, “I am eagerly awaiting the day the Bourns Team is participating in the ceremony handing the keys over to the first 10 residents who will be blessed by the work we have done.  That will be a big part of our reward for our volunteer efforts.”  Kathy Michalak, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, Riverside added, “Those residents will be housed in a stable, clean place where they can get back on their feet with the future opportunity to reside in more permanent housing.  They will also be provided with support services to help them with their life-changing transition off the streets.”