Do you have a dream for the future? Let me tell you a story.....
My story starts last October when I was asked to "write down 50 things you would do if nothing could stop you" as part of a Home Stager Trainer's Class. So that night I gave it serious thought.....
If nothing could stop me, if I had no barriers what would I do??? Hhmmmmmm...
#1 On My List: To start a Non-Profit that would decorate homes or spaces for women who were coming off the streets and out of abusive situations.
As Nate Berkus says "Your home should rise up to meet you".
I believer that is for everyone...no matter what your situation or where your "home" is. Home could be a women's shelter where you feel safe for the first time in years, a subsidized housing project that is all your own, or one room in an apartment shared by others in your situation. So, I wrote it down.
"I want to start a Non-Profit to bless women coming into perhaps their first safe living space ever."
I had visions of what I would do with it when I retired. Receive donations, refurbish a worn out table by painting it a fun color, bringing new life to an old chair with fun fabric, have a list of volunteers to assist me. I could visualize it in the future.
So....guess what I did Thursday??
I decorated a three bedroom apartment for three women coming off of the streets from sex trafficking and prostitution.
Did you hear that?? Thursday. And I haven't retire yet!
I won't go into the details but this happened quickly. Someone at my local church knew what I did for a living, called me and asked if I would be willing to get involved. I called the charity and was told the women were moving in Friday and they needed help "pulling it together".
I went down there Wednesday morning and a large local furniture store was just pulling away from donating BRAND NEW FURNITURE!!!!
But, there were no 'girly things'. I went to my warehouse, picked out lamps, artwork, and girly things that I could donate.
Oh....I forgot the best part. When I told my sister what I was doing she came back to me a bit later with this:
"For these women the bed has never been a safe place. They need to know it is now safe and they need to be blessed with some nice new linens, not used.". I must mention my sister is a psychologist and volunteers with women who have been sexually abused or part of sex trafficking.
So...off to Target I went to buy new bedding that she was going to donate. New sheets, new comforters, a fuzzy blankets for cuddling. All coordinated with their room's paint color of course. Any good designer would have the paint deck samples with her. LOL.
I realized I needed help and needed to rearrange my schedule to meet the time commitment. With a one day notice I was back decorating the space with a wonderful woman named Sandy.
We worked for six hours cleaning, arranging furniture, making beds, hanging artwork. Boy were were exhausted but oh so blessed.
We left each woman with a brand new towel and wash cloth along with a box of chocolates and fresh flowers.
I think these women will have their home "rise up to meet them" when they walk in.
What do you think?
Bedroom 1: The taupe room
Bedroom 2: The lavendar room
Bedroom 3: The blue room
The common area:
The Hallway Garden:
So....do you have a dream for the future? God may have something in mind sooner.
I don't have my own Non-Profit yet to help numerous organizations assisting woman but hey....this is a start and it happened quicker than I thought.
What's your dream?
Originally Posted at Rooms With Style Blog
Premier Home Staging and Redesign Firm Serving the Entire Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN Area
|
|
Shar Sitter Website: http://roomswithstyle.com/ Portfolio: Home Staging and Redesign Minneapolis, MN Email: Shar@roomswithstyle.com Although each house is unique there is one common goal...using our expertise to get your home sold as quickly as possible. |
What a great post. Thanks for sharing.
Those rooms look so inviting and beautiful. You did an amazing job on them. It is so great to hear that you knew how you wanted to help and were able to do so sooner than expected. I bet those women really appreaciated that help.
Shar- what a beautiful and uplifting story. Who wouldn't feel safe and cared for in this environment. I'd bet each lady will feel like someone cared and often that's as good as a nice warm blanket.
Shar, "You Go Girl!". The rooms are elegant and the girls should be thrilled to have received such a blessed gift. Your dream is coming to fruition and YOU have made a positive impact on someone's life.
Shar, this post is absolutely beautiful, in every way, as are you. I'm suggesting this since you so wonderfully show what we can do to make a difference in our world. And, boy, does this prove the power of having written goals and dreams!
You are welcome Corey.
Beth and Bud, it is so crazy that I wrote it down in October and it came to be 3 months later!
I hope the little personal touches bless them Kathy. The chocolates, fresh flowers, fuzzy blanket.... You wonder if anyone has ever brought them flowers and chocolated before.
It is coming true Bruce!! I love it!
Thank you Lottie. I have chilly bumps from it happening so quickly!
Environment matters! Ithink those of us in this business know that. You have done a beautiful job of highlighting it on a room sized scale. Nice Job.
That is a truly beautiful story and I love your sense of style!
A great story...and you did such a great job! I would love to be involved in something similar in my city.
A great story...and a great job!
Shar, I stopped by because of Laura's re-blog. You did a GREAT thing here and I'm so very proud of you. It's beautiful and such a great gift you gave to help. And, I love the hearts - what a special touch I'm sure will be greatly appreciated. GREAT JOB!!!!!
You brought tears to my eyes this morning Shar...........tears of joy because of what you did for these women. You have a huge heart and I totally respect you and admire you for your contribution! Amazing story and so uplifting. Kudos to you..............a woman I am proud to call friend! Forgot to mention the awesome spaces you created too, you are such a talent!
You are so right that enviroment matters Matt.
Thank you Kathy.
I hope you find something similar #9. I bet their are organizations that would love your help.
Thanks #10. Thanks for stopping by the Rain.
It was kind of cool that all the valentine candy was out on the shelves Juli!
A very worthy cause and I bet these ladies have never had it so nice.
Thank you Roger. I am so happy to have you as a friend. It was my honor to do this project.
I am hoping they are super blessed in the days to come Vern!
Shar: Excellent story ... but even more special as an act of kindness to these deserving women. I would suggest that you write a follow-up and let AR members know where we too can help .. or how we can help. I'm sure that I would like to assist, if possible ... and I'm also sure that there would be others that would assist as well. Spread the word and your ability to help these women ...
I'm Featuring this in BananaTude today ... Suggesting it for an AR Feature ... and I'll be re-blogging it too ...
Featured in BananaTude!
Gene
Shar - your heart is bigger than Texas. Those women have probably never had anything this nice done for them in a very long time. You just changed 3 lives forever.
Shar, Great story, Great photos. As you know, they will need more that a pretty home, but what a great start you have given them. They are definitely not going to a bleak or dreary home. Thanks so much for sharing this inspring story.
Shar-What a beautiful heartfelt gift that you gave these women. The spaces that you created for them are lovely. Thanks for sharing
Shar, you are amazing! Such a touching story. You created such a welcoming spaces that can help those women to go over that challenging time of their lives. It is so nice that so many people did decide to donate. Wonderful, wonderful story.
Shar - Beautiful story on so many levels--You're a powerful woman capable of moving "I want" to "I did" and good for you!
Shar....that is so awesome....I have had that happen more than once when I wrote down a list and stuff came true on it that i had no inkling about !!!
I know that you have blessed these women so much!!! I love all the rooms!!! Thank you for your generosity!!!
Why has this not been featured yet?? Shar, I have a very clear picture of just how busy you are going to be when you retire! This is just the first step in what will be a magnificent journey where in you'll be touching so many lives. I applaud you and all that you accomplished for these women. The clean towels and chocolates are such an important inclusion; I'm sure the ladies were touched beyond words.
Thank you Gene for the feature but mostly for your encouragement and offers to help. Sex trafficking is so prevalent in our country!! We all need to reach out.
Thanks Cynthia and I hope so. I hope their rooms are heaven on earth for the beginning of their new lives.
They are going to need a lot Dan. This is just the beginning but a special one. Most women don't want to be in this situation, are held against their will and sold.
I was blessed doing it Marianne.
The furniture store showing up with no one expecting it was amazing Anna!
The "I want" turned into "I did" so much sooner than I expected Norma but it is just a start. I really want to work towards having that non-profit so I can reach out to many organizations assisting women.
Deborah, I think sometimes we don't think beyond the barriers so we don't move forward. Writing it down with 'no barriers' is a good start. Not sure how I'll get the funds to actually start the non-profit but yet.....it'll work out.
Retirement will be fun won't it Susan! But I guess I want to help before than too. LOL.
Shar, what a woman you are! You are truly so kind and I am sure these women will be touched with all the special things you did to make this place their HOME!
Hi Shar--what an amazing story. What you did is beautiful--not only the work but the part from the heart. I think you have inspired many of us. I am sure in every community our services would be welcomed, and I am going to start making some inquiries.
Good morning Shar,
Thank you for sharing this lovely, uplifting story of giving and hope. You are changing these women's lives, and everyone part of this chapter deserve a heartfelt thank you. This is a reminder to us all that we can touch and change dire situations. Bless you.
What a wonderful story, Shar. You are amazing woman with a HUGE heart! I feel privileged knowing you here, on AR.
Tatyana
Shar, Your kindness and willingness to do good for those in need, is a clear reflection of who you are as a person. YOU have helped raise the house "up" to meet those ladies.
Without your thoughtfulness and special skills, that house would never have become a "HOME" for those that will appreciate and cherish it the most. A safe haven will feel like Heaven to those that have gone through Hell. You're remarkable! Best wishes always. p.s Thanks to Roger for Re-blogging this post.
Thank you Rebecca but I think anyone would do what I did given the chance.
Good for you Janet!! There are so many places that women in need could use your touch!
Thanks Lisa. We can all do something with our time and talent. Blessings to you!
Thank you Tatyana but I'm not that special. LOL.
I am hoping their hell is gone for good Richard. Thank you.
Shar, you are an Inspiration, Having a dream and getting it done! At to boot so selfless, caring, giving and thoughtful. Your sweeter that the chocolates!
I'll have to tell you what I've been up to this past week, not as giving, but a dream perhaps.
I'm sure these women were very grateful and probably very surprised, not used to be treating so kindly. How awesome that you got to fulfill your dream so early in life.....now you can create more dreams to bring to life!
Hi Shar - Lovely story, lovely rooms, and a wonderful thing to do for some ladies who could certainly use some TLC.
Sweeter than chocolate Ellen? No way! ;) Can't wait to hear what is happening with you.
I am going to continue with this dream for sure Sharon. I want to get enough money saved to actually start the non-profit which takes about $3000 for attorney and registration fees. Ugh....
Thanks Susan...I hoped they were blessed.
Shar: Everyone who contributed to this project created a space for these women, but your efforts made it a home. Keep us posted on the foundation or the beginnings of it. I for one would love to help.
Hey Shar,
I just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you have been to me! I read this post the day you wrote it and it's been rattling between my ears since then. My dream is to have a facility that offers equine therapeutics. I volunteered at a well-known facility for a short time a few years ago. Today, I emailed the director of another local facility AND researched the certification requirements. It may not happen this Thursday, but I am taking steps to realize a dream that God put inside me many, many years ago! THANKS for sharing your dream with us!!
Thank you Anne! That is so sweet,
Yeah! Way to go Tammy. I pray God uses your talent and heart to help others. Keep me posted, please!
Shar: Amazing! You have turned industrial, cold space into three lovely bedrooms and common area. Well done! You sister is so wise. You belong to a very talented family. PS - I love watching Nate Berkus do his magic. He proves (and you showed) that you don't have to have a million dollars to live in nice personalized space.
Thank you Valerie...and I still can't give over your email today. Thank you.....
SHAR- I was all teary eyed after reading this. What a gift you gave that will be life changing- a great way to show love without words. I know when I had to write down 50 dreams for DTBSOT I was amazed at how quickly I saw some come to pass within months.
Thank you Peggy, I so appreciate your words.