Hope, turned Help, has arrived…

The greatest honor there is, or gift I could ever hope to give, is to make a positive difference in someone’s life.

The Hillsborough House of Hope provides a temporary residence to women transitioning out of correctional institutions seeking positive reinforcement to aid them in their personal, social, and professional rehabilitation. They don’t just get to live there, they must participate in programs tailor-made for their specific needs. These may include parent-focused seminars, job training and placement, and substance abuse counseling, to name a few. Whatever the need, HHHope is committed to giving these women support while they get their lives back in order.

So, when the opportunity came up to share my passion with the women of the Hillsborough House of Hope, it was an immediate, YES! My mother taught me that it’s our environment that sets the tone for our lives. Just a simple change can drastically alter the way we feel about ourselves and how we approach life.

It takes a village…

None of this could have been accomplished without the help and support of the many organizations, churches, and individuals who donated their products, time, and expertise.

Let’s get started in the Living Room!

BEFORE: This is the first space you see when you walk in the door. Thanks to the many donations received over the years, they’ve had a functional space to greet new residents and guests. Now, it was time for an update!

Tweak Your Space uses furniture and accessories you already have, re-imagining them into something fresh and new. Sometimes, spaces need a few new things in addition to keeping what’s working and the editing out of what’s not. Watch for re-purposed items as the transformation unfolds.

AFTER: (Below) The first order of business was to update the colors and create a light, bright, and inviting space. To do this, new flooring, paint, and window treatments were donated and installed throughout the house. The new wall and accent color on the fireplace made a huge difference (Natural Tan/walls, and Silvermist/fireplace), both from Sherwin-Williams. The new hardwood-style flooring was the perfect choice for durability and easy maintenance. Newly-donated were the wing-back chairs, table, lamp, rug, and pillows. Now the space has a fresh, tranquil feel!

Family Room:

BEFORE: The second floor family room was dark and uninviting. The old brick fireplace and wood paneling coupled with the dark green carpeting made the space feel drab.

AFTER: (Below) For a cohesive transition of the second floor, new paint and window treatments were added in the same complimentary colors as downstairs. Instead of using the same wood-style flooring, new carpeting was installed creating a quiet, cozy space to relax and watch TV. The sofa, chair, coffee table, and flower prints were re-purposed from the living room. The new lamps were added to provide an additional layer of lighting to the overhead fan/light.

Dining Room:

BEFORE: The dark green carpeting and stark white walls felt cold and sterile. The dining room is adjacent to the family room and can be seen clearly from each space. It was important that these two spaces compliment each other.

AFTER:(Below) New carpeting, paint, and valences freshened things up a bit. The existing dining table needed to work in this space. What a nice surprise when we removed the vinyl table cloth and discovered the table was black. A perfect compliment to the black sofas in the family room. Re-purposing the shelves from the living room, as well as art and accessories found around the house, were the finishing touches.

Exterior:

BEFORE: The second floor porch needed some love. It’s a good place for the ladies to get some fresh air.

AFTER: (Below) Love came in the form of donations of fabric and labor to re-cover the existing chairs. And, for an extra special touch, planter boxes full of flowers and herbs were added. This gave the ladies something to take care of and nourish outside of themselves during their journey to getting back on their feet.

Like Mother like Daughter…

As life does sometimes, we find out things after the fact. When agreeing to Tweak the Hillsborough House of Hope, something resonated deep within me. Instantly, I was compelled to help! My mother before her passing had been secretively traveling to the men and women’s shelters in her community creating beautiful environments for their residents. It wasn’t until her memorial service, and the heartfelt testimonials, did I find out what she had been up to for all these years. That’s why I like to think my mother had a hand in bringing me and the Hillsborough House of Hope together. Thanks Mom!

Media Coverage:

Thanks to Fox 13 Good Day Tampa Bay the word keeps spreading about this highly-successful program. Check out this Fox 13 Story about the woman who started this work and the efforts that are continuing to be made that makes this program a continued success!

The Hillsborough House of Hope has been Tweaked!