Willamette Valley Men’s Campus of Adult and Teen Challenge, a nationally recognized residential recovery program for drug and alcohol addiction in Shedd, Oregon, recently received a brand new roof from GAF and Expert Roofing Services.
Adult & Teen Challenge has been dedicated to helping individuals with addictions since 1958. The organization employs a comprehensive recovery approach, and sees a five-year success rate of 86% for those who complete the entire program.
15-year leaking problem
Expert Roofing Services, based in Eugene, specializes in comprehensive roofing solutions for both residential and commercial properties throughout Lane County and Western Oregon. Jim and Amber Renfro, owners of Expert Roofing Services, along with their son Jamie Renfro, the company’s production manager, became engaged in this project after discovering a leaky roof during a visit to the center. Given their personal ties to the facility, the Renfro family were committed to making the necessary repairs.
The Renfro family, owners of Expert Roofing Services, were inspired to undertake this project after witnessing firsthand the impact of addiction on their family, particularly through their son Brandon’s journey in the program. Jim Renfro expressed their commitment to giving back, stating, “We wanted to support the Adult & Teen Challenge campus, which plays a crucial role in restoring hope.”
Their oldest son, Brandon, participated in the program, finding purpose and hope in his life while rebuilding relationships before his tragic passing due to addiction. “Life-controlling issues like addiction impact many families and the broader community,” says Jim Renfro. “We wanted to give back to the Adult & Teen Challenge campus, which plays a crucial role in restoring hope to those in need and supporting their families. Losing our son would have been even more heartbreaking if we hadn’t been able to witness his growth and transformation in such a supportive environment. We are dedicated to supporting this program in any way we can.”
“At Adult & Teen Challenge, we bring in men who are lost in life-controlling addictions such as drugs and alcohol,” says Troy and Krista Cunningham, executive leadership team for the Willamette Valley Men’s Campus of Adult & Teen Challenge PacWest. “For over 10 years, we have received multiple quotes for a new roof over our gym. With each bid came a feeling of defeat of the insurmountable task of raising funds for the new roof. As a non-profit ministry, we are fully supported by a community of donors and were unable to raise the funds for this project, with the daily operating costs. So we do what we always do—we gave it to God and prayed. That prayer has been answered by Expert Roofing Services and GAF partnering together to tackle this project. Words will never accurately share how thankful we are for this gift. We wholeheartedly thank Expert Roofing, the Renfro family, GAF and ABC Supply for their support to put hope within reach to the men in our program.”
A Durable, Weatherproof Roofing Solution
Expert Roofing Services completed a comprehensive roof replacement covering 97 squares on the gymnasium building at the Willamette Valley Men’s Campus of Adult and Teen Challenge. The project involved a full roof replacement rather than simple repairs, as the facility had been experiencing ongoing leaking issues for approximately 15 years due to misplaced fasteners and deteriorated materials.
The primary goal of this project was to provide a durable, weatherproof roofing solution to address these persistent leaks due to misplaced fasteners and deteriorated materials. This was a particularly challenging project as the facility is located in a high wind area. Decking was replaced where rough boards had deteriorated and special attention was given to the vertical board decking configuration. Installation of 24-gauge edge metal panels improved durability in the high-wind environment.
Expert Roofing Services donated the installation labor and GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, donated roofing materials, alongside ABC Supply. This collaboration is part of GAF’s social impact initiative, GAF Community Matters, which is focused on making a positive difference as neighbors and partners in the community by leveraging roofing expertise, resources and products to help build resilient communities.
Expert Roofing Services approached this project with a typical roofing replacement methodology but encountered unique challenges due to the building’s original design. The gymnasium, formerly part of an old school building, had vertical decking rather than the standard horizontal orientation.
Exhaust vents were installed to improve ventilation. Initially, the team intended to implement an intake ventilation system and had completed calculations for this approach. However, upon further inspection of the building’s structure, they discovered this wasn’t feasible without significant structural modifications. The Expert Roofing team had to climb up into the attic space to fully assess the situation, ultimately determining they couldn’t change the fundamental structure of the system.
Given these constraints, Expert Roofing Services adapted their approach by:
- Preserving the existing structural elements
- Working within the limitations of the vertical decking
- Installing exhaust venting where possible as an alternative solution
This flexibility in approach allowed them to complete the necessary roof replacement without compromising the building’s structural integrity while still providing an effective solution to the 15-year leaking problem.
A Rural Farmland Location
The primary safety concerns for this project centered around the high-wind exposure of the rural farmland location. Expert Roofing Services addressed these challenges by implementing GAF’s Timberline HDZ Shingles, which feature LayerLock Technology. This solution mechanically fuses the common bond between overlapping shingle layers, and Dura Grip Adhesive, which helps create a strong protective bond to help reduce the risk of shingle blow-offs.
To ensure full protection, the team used additional GAF materials such as Tiger Paw Premium Roof Deck Protection, StormGuard Film Surfaced Leak Barrier, Pro-Start Starter Strip Shingles, TimberCrest Premium SBS-Modified Ridge Cap Shingles and Master Flow Roof Louver R50 Metal Square Throat.
Additionally, Expert Roofing Services implemented StormGuard Leak Barrier on the steep slope portions of the roof, helping prevent leaks and helping protect the building from expensive wall and ceiling staining from leaks.
Ultimately, Expert Roofing Services’ strong industry relationships and its ability to bring together multiple stakeholders in service of community projects was integral. The coordination between Expert Roofing Services, GAF and ABC Supply made this project possible.
TEAM
ROOFING CONTRACTOR: Expert Roofing Services, Eugene, Oregon, www.https://www.expertroofingeugene.com/
MATERIALS
ROOFING MATERIALS: GAF, www.gaf.com
ROOFING MATERIALS: ABC Supply, www.abcsupply.com
