Kevin wasn’t allowed to play outside because the neighborhood where they rented was becoming increasingly unsafe. Drug deals were happening right out in the open. The other children in the neighborhood were unsupervised and almost constantly causing trouble. Their small, rundown apartment was their only refuge.

And then Sharon discovered Habitat for Humanity.

“Before I applied [to Habitat], my life was at a stand-still and my dreams were starting to fade,” Sharon said. “I saw little hope of ever being able to move somewhere safer. My get up and go was going.” But entry into the program sparked a fire in Sharon that even she didn’t know existed. She completed her GED, then applied for, was accepted to, and graduated from the LPN program at Hagerstown Community College. Kevin has since gone on to graduate from high school and is currently enrolled in college, seeking to fulfill his dream of entering law enforcement.

“I dreamt some day of becoming a homeowner and moving somewhere safer,” Sharon said. “Those dreams were slowly fading away until I learned about Habitat and all the wonderful people that volunteer their time, their hard earned money to help others. Dreams do come true from outstanding people like you.”

We know that what we do relies on so many people. Our mission – Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope – is but a pipe dream without our partner families, without our volunteers, without support from our community. We know, all too well, that this is a journey we must walk together in order to be successful.

In Sharon’s own words, here is a brief snapshot of what that journey looks like from raising the walls to becoming a homeowner:

“Raising the walls, to me, means so very much. It proves dreams do come true. With faith, strength, determination, positivity, dedication, and teamwork anything is possible. It also proves good does exist in a world we sometimes say is so bad. Personally, I felt that way for years. But, I have learned so much from Habitat and the volunteers that have made the seemingly impossible possible.

Raising the walls is the strength of the home. The strength built by volunteers who are friends, for a family they don’t even know and sometimes never met. The roof that provides the shelter keeps out the rain and holds in all the love they leave behind. The home itself serves as a message that people not only care; they teach us that we should give back. In giving, we receive.

The finished product is a home that was built with love, dedication, faith, and hard work. It is a fresh start for a family in need. It gives hope and everlasting positive impact to our life.

I am blessed to have a home. One that is being built by materials mainly donated or bought through donations. It is built by volunteers – people coming together to build my family a home. They did this because they want to. Imagine if we all did this. No one would have to be homeless. For this reason, they are heroes. They are helping pick up the pieces and helping us keep our heads up.

For so long we lived mainly isolated from our surroundings, feeling that was the safe thing to do. Now, we have a place to call our own – a safe place. Habitat has opened my eyes and heart to the positive in life. Being part of Habitat has been one of the most important things in my life. I have met wonderful people. It built my self-worth back, when I had lost it. I have found the good in mankind as well as myself.”

Our Towns Habitat ReStore in North Carolina recently held their fourth annual ReStore ReStyle Design Challenge, which included the work of eight local DIY designers. Take a look at what they created from common vintage ReStore finds.

Fun home decor wall art can be made out of some of the most basic materials. Follow this step-by-step tutorial below to create your own wall art from items you probably have sitting right outside your front door.

Materials needed

• Picture frame(s) or mirror frame(s):  Purchased at a local Habitat ReStore.
• Paint:  Spray paint, craft paint, etc.
• Cardboard material:  Recycled box of some sort
• Rocks:  Go outside and grab some, or use some from a vacation destination or local sentimental hangout.
• Twigs:  Smaller, lightweight are best – scale to fit frame size
• Super glue:  To be extra prepared, have some nail polish remover handy in case of a glue mishap – it happens to the best of us.
• Pen or marker:  Black or any color that suits your style

Steps

Step one: Paint frame(s)

Learn how to spruce up a vintage table top with ceramic tiles, wood boards, grout and adhesive, in this instructional video by Bren Ische. For more great ideas watch the last video in which Bren also turns a picture of a chandelier into a working light fixture.

The Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity ReStore continues to reimagine the uses for old pallets from their store. If you remember, last time they made an amazing bathroom vanity.

This time, their latest pallet furniture project moves from the bathroom to the backyard with a unique grill accessory stand that has everything you could need for an amazing backyard barbeque – minus the grill.

This accessory stand was made from scraps of a large pallet and has a cooler spot to keep your beverages cold on hot summer days as well as casters to push it anywhere your grill can go. Not to mention it also has holders on each side for condiments and standard grill accessories.

This pallet furniture project means new life to material that just needed a little restructuring and the possibilities of what you can turn an old pallet into are endless.

Are there any cool projects you’ve done using old wood pallets? Please share them by sending them to restoreblog@habitat.org or in the comments and pass on the great ideas!

Habitat for Humanity ReStore of Jefferson County recently refurbished several furniture pieces based on items they saw on Pinterest. They set up these pieces around the store, accompanied by the Pinterest image that inspired them. The furniture was then raffled off to their customers.