Deserving Decor

We are frequently asked by prospective volunteers, “What is a homeless shelter makeover?” Basically, it is divided into three different phases.

• Cleaning
• Assessment & Replacement
• Decorating

The first phase is Cleaning. Cleaning time varies depending on the size and condition of the apartment. The apartments range in size from one bedroom to four bedrooms, the majority of apartments are one or two bedroom units.

The second phase is Assessment and Replacement. We go through the apartment and look for furniture and housewares that are in need of repair or replacement. Anything that is not functional is discarded and replacement items are brought in. This includes sofas, end tables, dining tables, chairs, dressers, nightstands, lamps and other furnishings. We also supply TV’s, DVD players, microwaves, coffee makers, toasters, pots and pans, dishes, glasses, flatware and home decor.

The third phase is Decorating, which includes making beds, hanging artwork, installing window treatments, area rugs and other decorative items to help make the apartment feel like a home. A bedroom is decorated for the mother, father or parents and the kids bedrooms are decorated according to their age and gender.

The entire process takes about two or three days, depending on the size of the apartment. The new family moves in the week after the makeover project is completed.

In addition to shelter makeover projects, we also supply furnishings, housewares and home decor to families leaving shelters and acquiring their own residences. The families pick out what they need from our storage units free of cost. We are in the process of trying to establish a Furniture Bank to expand the services we provide.

We have provided over 75 transitional homeless shelter apartment makeovers throughout Bucks County since June of 2008  and supplied numerous newly housed families with furnishings and household goods.

The whole process can be hectic, but always comes together in the end. Although we don’t usually meet the families moving into the apartments, we receive feedback from the housing Case Managers and Volunteer Coordinators who convey to us how happy the families are in their new “homes”. It a very gratifying and moving experience and what keeps us going.

If you are interested in volunteering to help with cleaning services or the shelter makeover process, please email us at volunteer@deservingdecor.org

In addition to volunteers that help with makeovers, there are other volunteer positions available, some of which can be done from home. Please view our Volunteer page for current volunteer opportunies listed on Volunteer Match.

Without our dedicated volunteers we couldn’t do what we do!

Written by Beth Baker, Deserving Decor Founder