Community leaders partner with Humble Design to furnish homes for Grace Centers of Hope
OAKLAND COUNTY, Michigan – May 11, 2015 – Every year 50 influential community and business leaders within Oakland County team up for a day of service. On Saturday, May 16, they will transform seven houses into homes in the city of Pontiac.
Leadership Oakland’s Cornerstone 25th class (LOXXV) has partnered with the nonprofit organization Humble Design to bring this project to fruition. Humble Design uses donated home furnishings to decorate the homes of families emerging from local homeless and abuse shelters. The transformations associated with this project will bring the total number of families whose lives have been changed by Humble Design to 500. The class volunteers have raised more than $10,000 for this project which will help cover the cost of furnishings and moving vans.
The homes belong to Grace Centers of Hope, and are a part of an affordable housing community called Little Grace Village. What was once a blighted neighborhood in downtown Pontiac, destroyed by drugs and prostitution, is now a growing community that helps transition once homeless individuals back into society, allowing them to stay in a nurturing and accountable community.
The 50 volunteers have a mighty task ahead of them. In addition to furnishing the homes, with home decor from Humble Design, they will fully clean each home. The group will also add some ‘curb appeal’ with flowers and shrubs courtesy of Bordine’s Nursery.
Following a day of hard work, a small celebration will take place in Grace Park, which is on the same street as the homes. Food and drinks will be provided for the families and volunteers alike. “This will be a great way for the volunteers to interact with the families, who are turning the page on a new beginning,” says Humble Design Director Julie Nagle.
“In addition to our class of LOXXV volunteers, we will be joined by our sponsors, local and state dignitaries at the event,” says Leadership Oakland’s Executive Director Denise Asker. Major sponsors include Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Butzel Long, Blue Care Network, Baker College, Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union, Munger & Associates, P.C., HAP, Lynn Sonkiss, and Wade Trim. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and found at leadershipoakland.com/day-of-service/.