Baird, Hampton & Brown is dedicated to making a positive difference, both in our offices and in our communities. A recent testament to that mission was the construction of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Parker County (CAC).
Parker County Attorney, John Forrest, recognized the work BHB had done in 2015 on Grace House Ministries Options Clinic, a nonprofit organization focused on serving those in their local community. As the CAC was a project of similar nature, Forrest approached BHB Principal and Senior Civil Engineer, Shannon L. Nave, about donating engineering services to the design and construction of the new facility.
According to cacparkercounty.org, in 2016, Child Protective Services received 725 reports with allegations of child physical abuse or child sexual abuse in their county alone. The CAC is working to fulfill its mission of ending the cycle of abuse by giving Parker County children a voice. The facility provides children a place for healing by offering free services to victims and their families including forensic interviews, multiple disciplinary team investigations, training, victim support, and advocacy, and counseling and support services.
In addition to providing MEP engineering services, BHB donated $25,000 of civil engineering services and facilitated the donation of geotechnical engineering from CMJ Engineering in Fort Worth. As Project Manager, Nave supported the design of the 6,800 square-foot building and assisted with a healing garden, parking, and detention pond located in the back of the facility.
During design, it was noted that the site was lacking a storm drain. This deterred construction from moving underground since there was nothing downstream to receive excess water. Therefore, a masonry wall was installed above ground to form downstream limits for a detention pond.
“One of the nice things about a masonry wall is that it’s kind of a landscape architectural feature. It’s an area that can still be used for recreation or to go have a picnic. You wouldn’t think it was a detention pond until a big 100-year storm came and created a large pool,” said Nave.
The detention pond was one of many features that created what CAC Executive Director, Cheryl Bullock, had envisioned for the new center.
Bullock said, “BHB was an instrumental part of our dream coming to life. Shannon Nave listened to the needs of our children and planned accordingly. BHB was and still is a true partner with our mission to end child abuse.”
Almost a year after their opening, the halls are lined with the handprints of each child who has been supported by staff and volunteers within the walls of the CAC facility.
“I’m proud that we’re a company that would set aside profit in order to give back to the community that makes us what we are. It tears at our hearts that this facility is even needed, but I’m glad we were in a position to help,” said Nave.
