How A Moore Construction Company Lent A Hand To Community Living With Disabilities

The calendar may say it’s winter but in Oklahoma, but we know we must always be prepared for storm season.  

“Being able to have a place safe for them is going to be enormous when spring comes,” said Jessicia Smith with Santa Fe Place   

The facility, in Moore, is home to about sixteen women with different types of disabilities.  

“We teach them how to become more independent in their own lives and we teach them skills and we get them involved in their community,” said Smith.  

In 2013, the facility was hit by the Moore tornado. Staff realized they needed better access to a storm shelter.  

“If you have any type of disability trying to walk and navigate that in a storm for ruffly a block is difficult,” said Smith.  

Luckily, a local businessman had a solution.  

“Silver star construction has a community team that’s dedicated to doing outreach and community projects here in town,” said Steve Shawn, owner of Silver Star Construction.  

When Steve and his team heard about the challenges of getting the ladies to the storm shelter, they knew how important it was to step in.  

“Providing a storm shelter for these people is just a great deal it’s something that keeps on giving it’s not a one-time event, it will keep them safe from here on out,” said Shawn.  

The entire project was done at no expense to the facility, a huge surprise for the residents and staff.  

“I was shocked that it was something so big and something that a lot of people would not have thought about doing for us,” said Smith.  

For Shawn and his team at Silver Star, it’s all in the days work  

“I’ve always felt, you have the funds and the ability to help others, why not? It’s just the way it should be,” said Shawn.  

The storm shelter is already bringing peace of mind for the residents as well as the staff, just knowing that there’s a plan in place is crucial to their safety, in the event of a storm.