International Code Council Announces New ICC Foundation Work Plan during Annual Conference in Minneapolis

September 15, 2008

International Code Council CEO Rick Weiland today announced the establishment of a new ICC Foundation work plan following the assessment and realignment efforts initiated during last year's conference. The new work plan goals are the following:

1. Increase consumer demand for and understanding of codes and mitigation as the keys to building safety.
2. Support the building profession through creation of expanded access to professional training and education as well as creation of independent research opportunities.
3. Create community-based opportunities to connect ICC members to their constituencies.
   

ICCF Managing Consultant Leslie Chapman-Henderson highlighted program examples of the new Foundation approach, including a revised Project H.E.R.O. program approach, introduction of a volunteer service program with the working title, "ICCF Cares", and a membership challenge to reach a total of 250,000 volunteer hours during 2008-2009.

The new Project H.E.R.O. initiative will focus on a new partnership with Washington-based Rebuilding Together www.rebuildingtogether.org, a 20-year old home rehabilitation nonprofit with a dedicated Veterans Housing Department headed by Director Thomas J. "T.J." Cantwell. The Veterans Housing Department currently operates a similar program with Sears entitled "Heroes At Home". Mr. Cantwell spoke at the ICC Foundation luncheon and shared his vision for expanding Project H.E.R.O. through alignment with Rebuilding Togethers’ 225 affiliates throughout the United States. He will serve as the national program liaison and can be reached via email to tcantwell@rebuildingtogether.org.

ICCF made a donation of $50,000 to spark the new partnership and to seed up to five new Project H.E.R.O. projects.  The new approach will (1) preserve the project brand name as an ICC/ICCF initiative; (2) bring Rebuilding Together onboard to perform the project oversight, operation and veteran selection; and (3) allow both organizations to work together to raise additional program dollars, identify value-in-kind contributions and involve ICC members and volunteers on a widespread basis.

Joining forces with Rebuilding Together will allow the ICC members and volunteers to participate and avoid some of the consistent challenges experienced so far with project administration and fund-raising. Further, aligning with the well-established nonprofit with expertise in the day-to-day challenges of home rehabilitation and veteran identification should help propel Project H.E.R.O. to its goal of helping as many veterans as possible throughout the United States on a much wider scale. Click here (Project H.E.R.O. FAQ’s) for more information on the new partnership contact ICCF Managing Consultant Leslie Chapman-Henderson at (888) 422-7233, ext. 4223.