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Turner Construction volunteers improve landscaping, do remodeling for The Point’s residential homes


Special to NKyTribune

Turner Construction Company — which is currently renovating the old Bavarian Brewery on 12th street into Kenton County’s new government offices — has donated landscaping and construction management services to four group homes run by Covington’s The Point Arc of Northern Kentucky.

Commonly referred to as ‘The Point,’ the non-profit organization provides personal care and daily assistance to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Turner volunteers on the job at a group home.

Two of the houses, known as the Hancock and Fischer homes, are located in Alexandria. A third house, the VonLehman home, is in Florence, and the fourth, the Thompson home, in Fort Mitchell. At present, The Point operates eight residences offering varying levels of support ranging from functionally independent clients to individuals requiring total assistance.

These group homes – some donated, some rented – are designed to provide the organization’s clients with consistent care and an enriching, secure environment, further allowing them to reach their maximum potential to become contributing and inclusive members in the community.

This summer, about 30 volunteers from Turner Construction pulled weeds, raked leaves, pruned shrubs, spread mulch, and provided general landscaping services to beautify the exteriors of three of the group residences.

The landscape team of volunteers from Turner.

Upon completion of the landscaping by the 30+ Turner employees, Regina Watts, director of activities and IT manager for The Point, said: “The Point takes pride in its residential homes and has been told it has some of the finest well-kept residential homes in Northern Kentucky. Because companies like Turner Construction generously give their time and material, The Point’s residential homes can continue to shine.”

In addition, a group of 12 newly hired staff from Turner, known as the Leadership Turner Class 10, managed the renovation of one apartment unit at the Thompson house. The scope of the interior make-over included: complete demolition of the bathroom in order to install a new wall and floor tile, a new shower, sink, vanity, and toilet. The floors in the kitchen and living room were replaced and new cabinetry was installed in the kitchen. Finally, the entire apartment was given a fresh, new coat of paint.

With Judi Gerding, enjoying the remodeled kitchen.

“Ten years ago, we began a program called Leadership Turner in which our newest employees get exposure to the skillsets required to plan and execute a project by having them get involved in a community service project,” said David Spaulding, vice president and general manager at Turner Construction. 

“They learn firsthand how to understand the client’s needs, plan the project through scheduling and coordination, and safely execute it with the highest level of quality.  We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve the wonderful individuals at The Point Arc this year.”

Kendall Herold, a spokeswoman for The Point Arc, said the residential program and its upkeep are fundamentally imperative to The Point Arc’s goal of helping clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities maintain fulfilling lives – educationally, residentially, socially, and vocationally.

Upon conclusion of the service blitz Judi Gerding, founder and president of The Point Arc said, “Volunteers are essential to our organization as we strive maintain group homes that look as good, or better, than our neighbors. The Point’s residential program provides a nurturing, stable, and secure environment for our residents and creating an attractive aesthetic is part of that environment. We operate with minimal federal, state, and county funding, so we rely heavily on volunteers and private funding to keep our group homes up to par and helping our individuals reach their maximum potential.”

New landscaping

The remodeled bathroom

Beautification complete. (All photos provided)


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