|
Back to Reviews Page
Minnesota Wisconsin Chapter
Our initial project plan was to increase storage for the women's shelter. As we were touring it, the representatives for the shelter asked us if we could work on the teen room which was a disaster, and not functional. They also asked us if we could figure out a way to store their extra stacks of chairs. We started with the things they asked for Ð as we decided we could not possibly do everything on this staging service day. We evaluated what was most important to the shelter, and proceeded. We decided to build a tall countertop to divide the Living Room and Dining Room areas and provide more countertop for eating, serving food or even crafts. Underneath the counter is storage that was built to fit all their extra chairs. We added a curtain to the front to keep the chairs concealed, but to allow easy access. Moving the chairs out of the hallway (which was a fire hazard) and building a storage unit for them, which was functional in many ways, is the best of ASP problem solving.
The first day, the team came in and dismantled the teen room. Removed everything, scrubbed the walls, removed gum from the floor and underneath tables and in the closet. We removed the computers, speakers, lights, etc. and then primed everything with Hi Hiding White primer. Even though the walls were bright purple, pink and yellow, one coat of primer worked to cover it. We added window privacy decals to the teen room windows where you could see plastic bags. We chose stones to compliment the youthful feel of the room and the colors worked great with our new paint colors. We chose an amber and orange paint with all white trim. We cut the computer counter top to create two separate computer areas with more privacy. Initially, they were seated side by side, and we turned them to face into the closet nook seating them back to back. This allowed more space in the actual teen room as well. We cleaned up the furniture, added a shelf (which was also a donation) for VHS movies.
The mural was painted with youth in mind but we still wanted the mural to have an uplifting message. Alanna painted creatures that she thought most teens would appeal to, even the boys. She painted a dragon hovering over the small gnome beside the rock. There was a tree elf coming out beside a mushroom (as if out from hiding). A large tree loomed over the picture, but its branches reached upward like hands grasping toward a star! Ever hopeful. We hope the children and other guests will appreciate the messages. We had a little boy, Jeffrey, who wanted to help. We let him set his hand in paint and apply it to the wall beside the mural. Underneath it says "Jeffrey". He was our highlight there.
Kevin allowed Jeffrey to help him pound some nails on the countertop, and little Jeffrey asked Kevin, "Do you know where you are?" Kevin said "No. Where am I?" Jeffrey said, "We are in a women's shelter. That's where mommy's need to go when the daddy hits them." Kevin said, "Oh. Daddy's should never hit mommy's, they should just love and hug mommy's. And boys should only love and hug their girlfriends too." Jeffrey took a moment, and he replied, "Yah. That's the kind of man I'm going to be."
There were two things we did not complete as time restricted us. We would have liked to build a private phone area and added shelving to the guest rooms. But the changes we did make were profound Ð and the shelter residents along with the staff were extremely pleased. There is always more to do later, perhaps next year!
Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to have this experience. We appreciate the donation that the foundation gave our IAHSP chapter(s). I hope everyone had as much fun as we did. The hard work we all dedicated was not just for the shelter, but for all the ASP's (ASPM'S) and IAHSP members because we all benefit each other and making sure that we keep a good name for ourselves as an industry. A hundred thanks to everyone who helped, donated, sponsored, worked, organized and participated with us!!! Thank you.
Diana Palm, ASP
Ambassador, MN. And WI. Chapters
(651) 275-1439
Participants:
Carol Erks
Jill Erickson
Chris Kuklok
Diana Palm
Kevin Tonnar
Linda Tobin
Alanna Dament (Jr. ASP)
Teen Room Before
Teen Room After
Teen Room Before
Teen Room After
Bedroom Before
Bedroom After
Back to Reviews Page
|
|
