AEC Cares Volunteers to Transform Rachel's Women's Center in San Diego

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More than 100 volunteers from the architecture, engineering, and construction industry will renovate Rachel’s Women’s Center in San Diego in a single-day effort to create a more supportive environment for women seeking stability.

On June 10, over 100 volunteers from the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors will come together to renovate the Rachel’s Women’s Center in San Diego. This single-day initiative, known as a "Blitz Build," aims to enhance the facility, making it a more functional and welcoming environment for women seeking support and stability. Organized by AEC Cares, this annual Day of Service is in collaboration with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, as stated in a May 28 announcement from ConstructConnect.
The renovation project is designed to improve the center, which has been a crucial resource for women in need for over 40 years. The facility provides a safe space for women to refresh and regroup, offering essential services that help them transition off the streets and work towards a stable future. The upgrades will include a reworked floor plan, refreshed interiors, new decor, furniture, and other enhancements aimed at improving the overall functionality of the space.
AEC Cares has invested 12 months of planning and preparation leading up to this blitz-build event, where volunteers, designers, and contractors will join forces for a day of impactful work. The renovation is scheduled to take place from 7:30 a.m. PT to 5 p.m. PT at the 4,500-square-foot facility.
The Rachel’s Women’s Center operates under a women-only, low-barrier, housing-first model, providing tailored case management and services that address the unique challenges faced by women. Its offerings include showers, laundry facilities, behavioral health support, and various resources aimed at aiding women in rebuilding their lives.
The annual AEC Cares charity project aligns with the AIA Conference on Architecture and Design, bringing together professionals from the architecture, engineering, and construction fields to give back to the community. Jennifer Johnson, the board president of AEC Cares and chief product officer at ConstructConnect, emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, "The AEC Cares Day of Service is a testament to what our industry can accomplish when we come together for a shared purpose."
ConstructConnect serves as the founding member and primary organizer of AEC Cares, with significant contributions from partners such as Stantec and Whiting-Turner, who are providing pro bono support for the renovation project. Vino Pajanor, CEO of Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, expressed that the renovation will better reflect the care and dignity the organization strives to provide to women utilizing the center.
Financial contributions for the project are coming from several companies, including YKK AP America, USG Corporation, Sika USA, Rockwool, Andersen Windows, Lumina Datamatics, and Mapei. Additionally, in-kind donations will be provided by firms such as Hunter Douglas, Shaw Contract, Pittsburgh Paints, VELUX, Wilsonart, and Wolf-Gordon, among others.
Founded in 2011, AEC Cares has been dedicated to leading volunteer renovation projects for underserved communities. Its inaugural project saw more than 80 volunteers renovating five homes in New Orleans that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Since then, the nonprofit has expanded its efforts to include annual projects in various U.S. cities, with support from ConstructConnect, sponsors, donors, and volunteers. More information about AEC Cares and the 2026 project can be found at aeccares.com.
Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego has been serving the region since 1919, functioning as the social ministry arm of the Diocese of San Diego.

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