Architecture has always been a giving profession, but the universal wake of pain caused by this year's terrorist attacks appears to have touched new depths of concern for giving this season, in the AIA community and beyond. 2001 AIA President John Anderson, FAIA, tells us in his column this month that the world architecture community—some 30 nations—responded within hours of the September 11 attack with messages of "compassion, fellowship, and resolute support." Anderson reports further that "contributions have come in from all over the world, with the architects of Japan alone accounting for $30,000."

A little closer to home, and in the spirit of the holidays, this article highlights a few of the volunteer projects and donations that architects are making to organizations and causes this year.

Disaster Relief Funds
• At their meeting in Chicago in October, the AIA Large Firm Roundtable members agreed to contribute $5,000 to the New York chapter's disaster relief fund, reports Pauline J. Porter, national component director of the College of Fellows. In addition, Porter said, the College of Fellows donated $10,000, to the New York chapter in October.

• Firms are making contributions to relief funds for the victims of the September 11 tragedies as well. Suben/Dougherty Partnership, whose New York offices are near Ground Zero, earmarked its holiday card and gift budget for a donation to Engine 24 Ladder 5 Family Relief Fund. The Phillips Group, New York City, also reports that they have made a donation to the World Trade Center Legacy Relief Fund.

Holiday gifts for the community
Firms across the country are helping promote caring and giving in different ways. For example, Garcia Teague Architecture + Interiors is helping less fortunate children in the San Francisco Bay Area. The studio is collecting new, unwrapped toys, books, and gifts for boys and girls between the ages of 2 and 16. They are working with the U.S. Marines "Toys for Tots" campaign. They are encouraging people to drop off gifts at the studio, 1998 The Alameda, Suite 1, San Jose, Calif. (For hours and more information contact Jennifer Miguel.)

For the holiday and beyond . . .
Widom Wein Cohen O'Leary Terasawa (WWCOT), Santa Monica, Calif., gives a gift that keeps on giving through their work with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. The firm recently received a Spirit of Mentoring Award 2001 from the California Governor's Mentoring Partnership for developing the Business Buddies Workplace program. For young people waiting for permanent Big Brothers or Big Sisters, the Business Buddies program helps them find role models and learn about architecture and business.

According to press materials from WWCOT, the program is the brainchild of WWCOT principal Jesus "Jay" Fondevila, Assoc. AIA, who already had been a Big Brother for more than 10 years when he developed the idea in 1996. Along with Adrian O. Cohen, AIA, and the other partners of WWCOT, he launched a mentoring program that brings 15–20 boys and girls to WWCOT each June to work one-on-one with the staff and partners who donate their time and resources to the effort. For three months, the youths visit the office weekly to work on a design project that parallels an actual current firm project.

As the program progresses, the students prepare drawings and construct a model and present it to the firm's actual client at the end of the program. These clients have included senior executives of Hughes Communications and Merchandise Mart. The mentorship program has served more than 75 young men and women.

What is your firm doing to help your community? Click below on "Tell the Editor" and let us tell the profession in a future article.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.