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Here is an inside peek into how Project Redesign changes lives. This non-profit, credited with over 100 room makeovers in Nashville since its inception 2008, was forwarded this letter, sent to Ms. Cheap in her “What would you do with $500?” contest:
I’d like to win the $500 to redo my 16 yr. old son’s room. I know that doesn’t sound like much, but my son shared a room with his brother for 7 yrs until his brother’s passing in 2009. His brother was on a ventilator at home and he needed around the clock care, so someone was in the room all the time.
Honestly, my 16 year old never complained about the lack of privacy. Sometimes in the middle of the night there’d be alarms going off, and we’d be working on his brother and he would just roll over to make sure everything was O.K. before going back to sleep.
Since his brother has been gone, he has been having a hard time sleeping, and I wonder if it’s because of the remnants of his brother’s stuff everywhere. Snoopy and Pooh are not really appropriate for a boy of 16. I’ve given a lot of stuff away, and packed away other stuff, but some of it is still there because I don’t want to see the room half empty.
I’d like to give him a big boy’s room with a nice desk for schoolwork, a small flat screen TV, a bookcase, and a cool chair or something for when he has friends over.
We have had to go on without our son, but I want to encourage and strengthen my remaining son by blessing him with a new room. It’s long overdue.
Thanks for your consideration.
Ms. Cheap had hoped, and rightly so, that Project Redesign could help this mom. Here is the outcome of this letter:
PinKaren Moore, Mary Hance (Ms. Cheap) and Suzanne Snyder
PinRoom makeover
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PinPhyllis Mayfield (Project Redesign supporter and volunteer), Leslie (the mother who wrote the letter), Amy Grant (Project Redesign supporter and volunteer) and Amy’s contractor who helped out on this project.
So, what is Project Redesign?
Just like a TLC reality show where the homeowners leave, then arrive back to amazing changes, Nashville’s own Project Redesign is making dreams come true. Begun in 2008 under the umbrella of the Martha O’Bryan Center, Project Redesign gained its own non-profit status in 2011. Project Redesign was started by Karen Moore, Suzanne Snyder, Ellie Billington and Alison Douglas with a dream to make a tangible impact on families throughout this community by making their everyday more comfortable through their personal surroundings.
Over years of delivering Meals on Wheels to the James Cayce public housing development, Karen Moore and Suzanne would notice the furnishings and obvious needs of the families where they were dropping off food. Taking to heart Oprah Winfrey’s directive that “Your home should rise up to meet you,” Suzanne Snyder envisioned a way to make a difference, which catapulted all four founding women into action.
These four friends, originally united through their children being at the same school, realized that together, they each brought a unique gift to the table. Suzanne brought the vision, passion and innate design ability, Allison brought organizational strength and the ability to work with their accountant on the books, Karen brought the “big picture” vision and a background in fundraising, while Ellie brought not only an infectious positive attitude, but connections that made the organizational power of Project Redesign successful.
The main focus of Project Redesign was originally the James Cayce Homes, Nashville’s largest public housing development (738 units) located in East Nashville, built in the 1940’s and 50’s. With better designed rooms and a happier personal environment, we all recognize that pride of place swells, which has ramifications well beyond new furniture.
This before and after project below was for a mom who had escaped an abusive situation with her 5 children from another state, landing in Nashville at the James Cayce Homes.
PinBeforePinAfterPinBeforePinAfterPinVolunteers for this project.
Project Redesign has been fortunate to have had design services donated many times by Interior Design Services in Brentwood (IDS). See IDS working below. They even built and installed a custom homework center! This was done at James Cayce Homes.
PinIDS working with Project Redesign to makeover this living room.PinWow!PinCustom built desk
Project Redesign has now spread its work beyond the James Cayce homes and was recently recognized by Mending Hearts for fully furnishing six of their apartments that serve as half-way houses for women who are homeless due to a background of addiction. There are plans to furnish two more in the near future.
PinCozy living room to help the Mending Heart women get back on track
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PinPinVolunteers on this project
Not limited to residences, Project Redesign has helped spruce up community gathering spots for the Salvation Army, YWCA’s Domestic Violence Center, Stratford High School’s “Top Floor,” Issac Litton Middle School after-school room and the Martha O’Bryan Center. Local artists and businesses have been strong supporters, as well as corporations such as HCA and many others.
Remarkably, most rooms are redesigned on a budget of just $200-$300. James Caycee Homes average just $200!
PinBefore: The Martha O’Bryan Center lobbyPinAfter: The Martha O’Bryan Center lobbyPinBefore: Salvation Army Single Women’s Transitional Living Quarters at the SA Command Post on Dickerson.PinAfter: Salvation Army Single Women’s Transitional Living Quarters at the SA Command Post on Dickerson.PinArtist Kay Kimbrough painting at the YWCA.
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Want to get involved? Project Redesign is looking for groups of people to make a difference. Volunteer Groups such as the Mother Daughter Serving Circle and First Presbyterian Youth have helped out. The Ensworth School has already organized several projects for its students and Project Redesign would love to work with other schools, as well. Groups are a great fit for this organization, so if you are looking for a way for you office to make an impact, consider redesigning a room through this great organization. Interior designers and artists, email to introduce your unique ability to help out!
Donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 159276, Nashville, TN 37215. Furniture donations can be arranged by emailing [email protected].
Nashville’s community always amazes us. Suzanne, Karen, Ellie and Alison are no exception. Way to go! You are making wonderful changes in Nashville that will reverberate for years to come.
projectredesign.com
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Here is an inside peek into how Project Redesign changes lives. This non-profit, credited with over 100 room makeovers in Nashville since its inception 2008, was forwarded this letter, sent to Ms. Cheap in her “What would you do with $500?” contest:
Want to get involved? Project Redesign is looking for groups of people to make a difference. Volunteer Groups such as the Mother Daughter Serving Circle and First Presbyterian Youth have helped out. The Ensworth School has already organized several projects for its students and Project Redesign would love to work with other schools, as well. Groups are a great fit for this organization, so if you are looking for a way for you office to make an impact, consider redesigning a room through this great organization. Interior designers and artists, email to introduce your unique ability to help out!
Donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 159276, Nashville, TN 37215. Furniture donations can be arranged by emailing [email protected].
Nashville’s community always amazes us. Suzanne, Karen, Ellie and Alison are no exception. Way to go! You are making wonderful changes in Nashville that will reverberate for years to come.
projectredesign.com
