Shelter Contributors Recognized on Wall

Human Options on Thursday dedicated a donor wall listing businesses and individuals who together contributed $3.5 million to build a new safe house for mothers and their children.

More than 200 community leaders, government officials and corporate executives were on hand at the Entertainment Center Irvine Spectrum for the unveiling of the granite wall, which is 12 feet long by 6 feet wide.

Made by San Juan Capistrano designer Katie McNames, the wall displays the names of the more than 500 people who were involved with establishment of the 12,000-square-foot facility for women and children.

“It’s our way of letting the public know who raised money for us,” said Shirley Gellatly of Human Options, a local nonprofit organization.

The safe house, which opened this week in Irvine, has the capacity to provide counseling, emergency shelter and transitional housing for about 40 women and children.

Being involved with the project “was one of the most worthwhile things we’ve ever done,” said Cathy Huff, vice president of purchasing for Shea Homes.

“I’m really proud of the facility and the teamwork that went into it.”

Gellatly said Human Options raised the money for the house in about a year and a half. Building the shelter, she said, took another year.

Through the entire process, she said there was “such a sense of community,” with nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals all focusing on a common goal.

“People will always feel ownership of this project,” she said.