The Magical Builders renovation of the Chrysalis Transitional Housing Facility in Scottsdale, Arizona includes the transformation of the community kitchen, outdoor recreational area, landscaping, lighting, painting, furniture and other amenities and improvements.
Lowe’s volunteer day – Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Completion/ribbon cutting ceremony – March 2021.
The project was made possible by the support of the Crain Family Foundation, which was founded by Jesse and Becky Crain. Jesse is a former Major League Baseball Player who was elected to the MLB All Star Game in 2013. The Crain Family Foundation was formed to assist families and children experiencing financial hardship.
Other generous supporters include Lowe’s Home Improvement, Ashley Furniture, National Restaurant Supply, Snell & Wilmer L.L.P, JB Home Design, Concierge Service, Sorso Wine Room, the Selva Family, the Arizona Coyotes, and other companies and individuals.
The Chrysalis Transitional Housing Facility provides safe housing, safety planning and case management support for families that are victims of domestic violence who need time to work towards self-sufficiency, including vocational/educational programs and counseling. The facility was originally built in 1988 as a shelter and has been in constant use since it was converted in 2011 to five dorm style apartments with a community kitchen to meet the growing need for longer term safe housing. The facility and the women, children and men it serves will greatly benefit from the Magical Builders renovation.
Magical Builders also oversaw the Covid-19 upgrades to its multiple facilities in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, including removal of walls, insertion of partitions, creation of space to abide by social distancing requirements for all locations (plexiglass, partitions in conference rooms, rolling gate, etc.); new flooring, proper installation of locking mailbox or mail slot due to mail delivery issues due to COVID 19 building closures and remote working; touch free toilets, hand dryers, drinking fountains and faucets.
All-Star Veterans Courtyard — The Veterans Service Center, operated by Volunteers of America Los Angeles, is the first point of contact for homeless veterans in Downtown LA. In collaboration with veteran-led organization The Mission Continues, this effort upgraded existing outdoor gathering space facilities in Skid Row/Downtown LA for veterans receiving day services and those in long-term housing on site, with the following: painting and cosmetic repairs to existing structures and new lighting, new landscaping (refreshed green space, garden beds) and meditation garden, new outdoor dining space, upgraded workout equipment, new benches, and additional beautification projects.
All-Star Dodgers Dreamfield Upgrades at Gilbert Lindsay Park — Located in South Los Angeles, Gilbert Lindsay Park was built on the site of the first “Wrigley Field,” where the Pacific Coast League (PCL) Angels played from 1925-1957 and the Los Angeles Angels played in 1961. The current Dodgers Dreamfield at Gilbert Lindsay Park, originally renovated in 2005, upgraded to support programming, provide a safe and quality place for young women to play softball, and to strengthen community engagement. Enhancements include a field makeover, new fencing and warning track, new bullpens, solar scoreboards, upgrades to the sprinkler system and the addition of a concrete path and ADA-accessible bleachers. The field will be home to the Natasha Watley Softball League and LADF’s Dodgers RBI program partners.
All-Star Dodgers Dreamfields at Lincoln Park — One of the city’s oldest parks, Lincoln Park offers six acres of playing fields, green space and walkways next to the Los Angeles River, in addition to extensive programming offered through the adjacent Lincoln Park Recreation Center. Renovation of the two existing ballfields to include field makeovers, new lights and fencing with windscreen, new bullpens, new solar scoreboards, dugout roofs and foul poles, and upgrades to the sprinkler/watering system. The upgraded fields will be utilized by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and LADF’s Dodgers RBI programs.
All-Star Dodgers Dreamfield at William Mead Homes — Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley operates six locations in Los Angeles, including the William Mead Clubhouse, which supports nearly 200 members. In partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, this project renovated an existing ballfield into a safe and quality place to play for Clubhouse kids and nearly 3,500 youth in the community. Renovations include a complete field makeover and installation of fencing, windscreens, scoreboard, backstop signage and more. Upgrades will also be made to the Club’s outdoor space creating a safe, enjoyable space to engage teen members.
Magical Builders worked with MLB and the Cleveland Indians to facilitate the renovation of the Brookside Reservation Talty Field, Luke Easter Park Field #7, Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland – East Tech High School (Digital Arts Suite), and the Student Veterans Center at Baldwin Wallace University.
| Brookside Reservation Talty Field | One of Cleveland’s oldest and most utilized neighborhood parks, Brookside Reservation fields are plagued with heavy rainfall in the spring months, and often muddy and need time to drain. By converting Talty Field to a complete artificially-turfed field, more games will be played. This project included the following:
o Full field new synthetic turf o Renovations to the bullpen, batting cage, fencing and backstops o New scoreboard o Shaded dugouts and shaded bleachers o New signage – entrance and concession stand |
| Luke Easter Park Field #7 | Luke Easter Park, formerly known as Woodland Hills Park, was renamed in 1980 in honor of Luscius “Luke” Easter, a former Cleveland Indians player. Like Brookside, Luke Easter Park is plagued with heavy rainfall in the spring. Fully turfed Field #7, installed new dugouts and bleachers, both with shade structures. This renovation included the following:
o Full field new synthetic turf o Renovations to the bullpen, batting cage, fencing and backstops o New scoreboard o Shaded dugouts and shaded bleachers o New signage – entrance |
| Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland – East Tech High School (Digital Arts Suite) | In 2017, the Club at East Tech High School became the ninth Cleveland school to serve as a Boys & Girls site. This project included the following:
o Purchase and install: sound recording studio equipment, Mac desktop computers and video editing-software; point and shoot digital cameras, and large format printers. o Renovate current stage space and install video production screen (to explore story telling capacity of film). o Additional opportunities: Cosmetic upgrades and new furniture to enhance the space. |
| Baldwin Wallace University – Student Veterans Center | Baldwin Wallace University has a long history of supporting the military community. This project transformed the lower level of a university-owned single-family home to establish a new Student Veterans Center. The existing center, on the lower level of the university’s student activities center, was relocated to this stand-alone building and be customized to meet the unique needs of BW’s military community. Project scope:
o Extensive renovation: kitchen, two lounge areas including a conference space for programs, an office for the Veteran/Military Services Coordinator, and two rooms designated as quiet, study spaces. o Enhancements to the yard space – create a backyard living space and potential garden. o Addition of an outdoor entrance ramp, ADA bathroom on the first floor, and new flag pole in front of the house. |
Magical Builders worked with MLB and the Washington Nationals to facilitate the renovation of the Richard England All-Star Clubhouse (Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington), the USO Metro All-Star Depot, the All Star Field at Walter Mill Regional Park, the Bryce Harper Complex at Fred Crabtree Park, and the So Others Might Eat facility.
Magical Builders worked with MLB and the Miami Marlins to help facilitate the renovation of the Leo Godwin All Star Teen Center (Boys & Girls Club of Boward County), the Belle Glade All Star Teen Center (Boys & Girls Club of Palm Beach County), the Boys & Girls Club of Miami-Dade, the Scotts/A-Rod Corp All Star Field, and the youth fields at Charles Hadley Park and Jose Marti Park.
Magical Builders worked with MLB and the San Diego Padres to renovate the Brady Family Teen Center (Boys & Girls Club), the San Pasqual Academy youth ballfield, and the Boys & Girls Club of Tijuana, Mexico.
Magical Builders worked closely with MLB and the Cincinnati Reds to renovate the 7 Hills Neighborhood Houses, which is a non-project focusing on education and child development, serving over 3,500 people annually in the West End since 1961; and the renovation of the All-Star Complex at Meinken Field.
Magical Builders partnered with Major League Baseball and the New York Mets to facilitate the following projects:
- Renovation of Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens (Richmond Hill, NY) – Construction of a new 3,000 square foot Teen Center and Café, as part of an overall $11 million capital improvement program being undertaken by the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens.
- FirstStepNYC Renovation Project (PS/IS 41 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY) – Renovation of an outdoor space at PS/IS 41, to be used by both the K-8 elementary school and FirstStepNYC, a new, innovative center for birth-5 education that launched by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the Department of Education, and the Administration for Children’s Services.
Magical Builders partnered with MLB and the Kansas City Royals to facilitate the following projects:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, Independence Unit (Independence, MO) –The project helped the facility, which was in critical need of improvements due to its previous physical limitations, into alignment with state requirements, making the Leslie Unit annually eligible for subsidies to provide school-aged child care and food subsidies from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Operation Breakthrough Renovation (Kansas City, MO) – Renovations helped the Operation Breakthrough daycare center improve its after-school and summer enrichment programs for low-income families by creating classroom environments to increase the children’s ability to concentrate and learn.
- Mulkey Square Park Field Renovation (Kansas City, MO) – Renovations to the baseball field in Mulkey Square Park, which is primarily used by the Guadalupe Center Youth Baseball program include the installation of a new irrigation system and scoreboard, infield and outfield maintenance, new infield skin, fencing construction and installation, backstops, dugouts and other improvements to the facility surrounding the field.
- Satchel Paige Stadium Renovation (Kansas City, MO) – Renovations included the installation of a new irrigation system and scoreboard, infield and outfield maintenance, fencing construction and installation, backstops, dugouts and other improvements to the general facility surrounding the field.
KANSAS CITY – Magical Builders Assisted Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Royals to Complete the Following Projects in Connection with the 2012 MLB All-Star Game:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, Independence Unit (Independence, MO) – Improvements to the newly named “Independence Unit” include new classrooms and new restrooms, an expanded kitchen, landscaping improvements, furniture and an improved HVAC system. The project will bring the facility, which was in critical need of improvements due to its previous physical limitations, into alignment with state requirements, making the Leslie Unit annually eligible for subsidies to provide school-aged child care and food subsidies from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. As a result of the improvements, total membership is expected to grow by 60% by 2015. 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, which serve nearly 8,000 youth members, ages 5 to 18, at five community-based sites and three youth baseball facilities located throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.
- Operation Breakthrough Renovation (Kansas City, MO) – Renovations to Operation Breakthrough daycare center to help improve its after-school and summer enrichment programs for low-income families by creating classroom environments to increase the children’s ability to concentrate and learn. Renovations made to the facility’s infrastructure included replacing ceiling, drywall, glass and windows, installing new walls and doors, painting and electrical work and sprinkler relocation. The mission of Operation Breakthrough is to help children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving and educational environment.
- Mulkey Square Park Field Renovation (Kansas City, MO) – Renovations to the baseball field in Mulkey Square Park, which is primarily used by the Guadalupe Center Youth Baseball program include the installation of a new irrigation system and scoreboard, infield and outfield maintenance, new infield skin, fencing construction and installation, backstops, dugouts and other improvements to the facility surrounding the field. Product donations by the Scotts Company contributed to the completion of this project.
- Satchel Paige Stadium (Kansas City, MO) – Renovations included the installation of a new irrigation system and scoreboard, infield and outfield maintenance, fencing construction and installation, backstops, dugouts and other improvements to the general facility surrounding the field. The field will be used by local youth teams along with Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) baseball and softball players.
Major League Baseball, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Magical Builders and several Phoenix area companies and volunteers teamed up to renovate the Kieckhefer Boys & Girls Club in Phoenix, Arizona. The project was a signature component of a series of community events leading up to the 2011 MLB All-Star Game and was part of the ongoing “MLB Going Beyond” initiatives dedicated to charity and community service. The large-scale project consisted of new flooring, roofing, air-conditioning, kitchen, landscaping, furniture, new amenities, outdoor batting cages, and a general remodeling of the Club.
Magical Builders partnered with Major League Baseball and the Angels Baseball Foundation to construct the MLB and Angels All-Star Complex at Pioneer Park, leaving a lasting legacy for the youth of Anaheim. The project, which was a part of the “Going Beyond” charity and community service theme for the 2010 MLB All-Star Summer in Anaheim, CA, consisted of the reconstruction of a youth baseball and softball field and the construction of a new Miracle League Field, that provides opportunities for special needs children to play baseball, including children in wheelchairs.
In addition, Magical Builders worked with Major League Baseball and the Angels Baseball Foundation to renovate the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Ana, CA. This project included the construction of a youth softball/baseball field, an interactive outdoor garden, landscaping, and renovations to the club’s interior. The Santa Ana Boys & Girls Club serves approximately 1400 children each year and promotes the positive and healthy development of youth, especially from disadvantaged circumstances, by providing services in a safe environment that build the skills, civility and self-confidence necessary to succeed in a competitive world.
Press
- 07/14/10: Video: “2010 MLB All-star Project,” MLB.com
- 07/12/2010″MLB’s Selig dedicates O.C. field for disabled,” OC Register
- 05/18/2010: “Angels Pitch in to help needy field,” OC Register
- 03/17/2010: “Construction to begin on MLB and Angels All-Star Complex for Anaheim Youth,” MLB.com
President Barack Obama threw out the first pitch at the 2009 MLB All Star Game to celebrate the All-Star week’s central theme of community service. Magical Builders partnered with Major League Baseball on two of the key volunteer projects during the All-Star week.
Specifically, Magical Builders partnered with Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals to refurbish and “green-up” the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club (Sportsmen’s Park Unit) and the St. Louis Department of Parks Recreation & Forestry Youth Center (12th & Park Roller and Recreation Facility). Hundreds of volunteers participated in the overhaul and beautification of these locations and provided a lasting legacy for the thousands of children who are served by the facilities.
Press
- 07/04/2009: “Major League Baseball Goes to Bat for United We Serve,” Corporation for National and Community Service
- 04/22/2009: “Major League Baseball Dedicates 2009 All-Star Summer To Charitable Initiatives And Community Service,” MLB.com
Magical Builders teamed up with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Major League Baseball Star Torii Hunter to construct a beautiful new youth softball field for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Placentia – Yorba Linda. The youth ballfield has was constructed largely through monetary donations by Torii Hunter, the Angels Baseball Foundation, the efforts of Magical Builders and the in-kind services of dozens of local companies and volunteers. Torii Hunter Field is located in an underprivileged, minority neighborhood and benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Brea-Placentia-Yorba Linda and the City of Placentia. The field serves as a home to the Angels Gene Autry RBI League along with youth programs throughout the local community.
Press
- 09/12/2008 [PDF]: “Torii Hunter drops in to dedicate a youth field he helped build,” OC Register
- 08/06/2008: “Angels’ Hunter Quietly Gives $50k for Placentia Field,” OC Register
The Magical Builders team along with Major League Baseball renovated the exterior of the Willie Mays Boys & Girls Club at Hunters Point during All – Star Week 2007. The 3rd Annual Magical Builders project featured a Community Volunteer Day hosted by San Francisco Giants legend Matt Williams and his wife Erika. The 2007 XM Satellite Radio All-Star Futures Game Players also made an appearance and assisted with the renovations.
The Hunters Point Clubhouse, located three miles from AT&T Park, serves more than 12,000 youth, predominately from at-risk circumstances, and is part of the 116 year-old Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco organization. At the Club, members take part in educational activities, build their self-esteem and develop positive attitudes during critical periods of childhood development.
PITTSBURGH – The annual Magical Builders All-Star Break renovation was a huge success again in 2006. The Frank Foundation and Major League Baseball coordinated a major overhaul of the Shadyside Boys & Girls Club in Pittsburg, PA. Special thanks to local organizations, volunteers and the children of the Boys & Girls Club for making this happen.
PHOENIX (July 1, 2005) – Major League Baseball and the Detroit Tigers partnered with The Frank Foundation to beautify the Diehl Club of the Boys & Girls ” Clubs of Southeastern Michigan during the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Week last July.
The project, Magical Builders™, was an initiative of The Frank Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to renovating the facilities of non-profit organizations that serve the needs of families and children nationwide.The Diehl Club facility serves several hundred underprivileged children each day, and was in dire need of renovation. The Magical Builders Team, which also consists of several local companies and subcontractors, stepped up to the plate by providing new paint, landscaping, heating & air-conditioning upgrades, ceiling tiles, upgraded bathrooms, and other amenities
The Magical Builders Team began work on July 5th. On July 8th from 2-5 PM, members of the community rolled up their sleeves and participated in the Magical Builders Community Volunteer Day. On Saturday, July 9, players from the XM Satellite Futures games stopped by and helped with the renovations. Major League Baseball and Detroit Tigers representatives and MLB Mascots consummated the Magical Builders project with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on July 12th at 10 AM..Magical Builders was inspired as an initiative of The Frank Foundation by the founders’ daughters, Madeline (6), Makenzie (5) and Abigail (2), who during the 2003 holiday season asked if they could give their “gifts” to friends in need. As a result, The Frank Foundation was formed with the mission of unifying people to advance the well being of children and their communities.
The local organizations and companies that make this project possible include:
- Air Tech Corp
- Allied Waste
- Atlas Global Bistro
- Butzel Long
- Ceilings & Walls Inc.
- City Carpet & Flooring
- Detroit Spectrum Painting
- Delta
- Doring, Inc.
- Greening of Detroit
- Greg Davis Landscaping, Inc
- Heidelberg Project
- Honeywell
- PPG
- Sani-Vac Services, Inc
- Tech Mechanical
- Wayne County Citizens Outreach Fund
- WE DARE TO CARE
- Young Detroit Builders
- Young Supply Company
PHOENIX (March 14, 2005) – Magical Builders™, has announced the completion of its first national initiative, a 10-day, estimated $1.5 million renovation of the Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Much like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the entire project was completed in a 10-day period from construction start to completion, with an estimated $1.5 million in materials and labor donated by numerous Valley companies.
The entire project, the first of many planned by The Frank Foundation, was filmed by Los Angeles, Calif.-based MDR Entertainment, LLC, for a possible television pilot.
” We are pleased, as a family, to be able to initiate a lasting contribution to our community,” said Christy Frank, who along with her husband, Jon, co-founded The Frank Foundation. “The Magical Builders™ program will effectuate this principle by renovating the facilities of non-profit organizations nationwide through youth-led, large-scale construction projects.”
Originally designed as a place to provide rest and comfort for families visiting their hospitalized children, the Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital now showcases a complete space redesign and new appliances and furniture.
“All of the families that utilize the new Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital will enjoy the room’s joyful atmosphere,” said Steve Schnall, vice president of Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “The renovation, which included a full kitchen, laundry room, showers, sleeping areas and desks for homework, makes the space more usable and will allow families the comfort that is so important when coping with the illness of a child.”
Individuals, families and corporations interested in helping sustain the completed Family Living Center can make a donation to the Magical Builders™ fund that has been established by The Frank Foundation. Donations will be used to purchase books, games, videos, toiletries, food and all that is necessary to provide the comforts of “home away from home.” Contributors donating $100 or more will receive recognition on the hospital’s newly designed donor wall, located at the entrance to the Children’s Garden.
“We are extremely appreciative of The Ameris Group, Cindi Battisti and Jessica Brown of Robb & Stucky Design Studio, REA Architecture, The Phoenix Suns Dancers and the nearly 20 subcontracting companies that have stepped up to the plate to partner with us on this project,” said Jon Frank. “As a Phoenix-based organization, it was very important to us that our first project benefit the community in which we live and work. Hopefully, we will be able to assist with many more local and national projects in the years to come.”
Magical Builders™ was inspired as an initiative of The Frank Foundation by the Frank’s daughters, Madeline, Makenzie and Abigail, who during the 2003 holiday season asked if they could give their “gifts” to friends in need. As a result, The Frank Foundation was formed with the mission of unifying people to advance the well being of children and their communities.
The Frank Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) (status pending) organization dedicated to renovating and improving the facilities of non-profit organizations serving the needs of families and children across the country.
PHOENIX (March 14, 2005) – Magical Builders™, a new initiative recently introduced by The Frank Foundation, has announced that it will renovate the Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital beginning March 21, 2005.
Much like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the entire project is planned for a 10-day construction period from start to completion. The project, which will be filmed for a television pilot to be produced by Los Angeles, Calif.-based MDR Entertainment, LLC, will feature an estimated $1.5 million dollars in materials and labor donated by numerous Valley companies.
“We are pleased, as a family, to be able to initiate a lasting contribution to our community,” said Christy Frank, who along with her husband, Jon, co-founded The Frank Foundation. “The Magical Builders™ program will effectuate this principle by renovating the facilities of non-profit organizations nationwide through youth-led, large-scale construction projects.”
Originally designed as a place to provide rest and comfort for families visiting their hospitalized children, the Family Living Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital will benefit from a complete space redesign and the addition of new appliances and furniture.
“While everyone thinks of Phoenix Children’s Hospital as a new facility, there are always opportunities to enhance the healing environment for our children and families,” said Steve Schnall, vice president of Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation. “The renovation of the Family Living Center, which includes a full kitchen, laundry room, showers, sleeping areas and desks for homework, will allow families the “home away from home” comfort that is so important when coping with the illness of a child.”
Individuals, families and corporations interested in supporting the completed Family Living Center can make a donation to the Magical Builders™ fund that has been established by The Frank Foundation. Contributors will receive recognition on the hospital’s newly designed donor wall, located at the entrance to the Children’s Garden.
“We are extremely appreciative of The Ameris Group, Cindi Battisti and Jessica Brown of Robb & Stucky Design Studio, REA Architecture, The Phoenix Suns Dancers and the nearly 20 subcontracting companies that have stepped up to the plate to partner with us on this project,” said Jon Frank. “As a Phoenix-based organization, it was very important to us that our first project benefit the community in which we live and work. Hopefully, we will be able to assist with many more local and national projects in the years to come.”
Magical Builders™ was inspired as an initiative of The Frank Foundation by the Frank’s daughters, Madeline, Makenzie and Abigail, who during the 2003 holiday season asked if they could give their “gifts” to friends in need. As a result, The Frank Foundation was formed with the mission of unifying people to advance the well being of children and their communities.
The Frank Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to renovating and improving the facilities of non-profit organizations serving the needs of families and children across the country.