Remodelers Council Community Service Project

Wrenn House Project

If ever there was a project that touched the hearts of remodelers, it was the need for renovations at the Wrenn House, the only Triangle safe house for youth ages 10-17 who run away from home, are homeless, or are otherwise in a crisis situation. For fifteen years the Wrenn House program has been in the 90 year old house which was in desperate need of repairs. The project was a perfect match for our group.

And members have responded with great enthusiasm. Vendors have been generous with materials. The first week of June the facility closed while volunteers replaced 27 windows, removed walls, painted the exterior, repaired a plumbing leak and repaired the front porch. Volunteers also worked to replace the gutters, replace the ramp in the back, and replace the back door, as well as paint the interior and replace the light fixtures and carpet.

Glenn White, Chair of the Council, was overwhelmed by the response of the volunteers and donating vendors. “I am amazed at the outpouring of support in these continued trying times. Each and every time a need has been expressed, a helping hand has been extended. What started out as a quick fix in a few selected areas has grown into a true home makeover in so many ways!”

These renovations not only capitalize on the skills of our group, but will make a huge impact on the ability of the Wrenn House to accommodate these young people whose stays range from one day to several weeks. The original scope of the work grew from repairs to a whole house renovation as members saw the needs of the facility and the results of their efforts to provide an emergency shelter to these youth in crisis. The project is a perfect match for the council’s community service goals and the lower budgets that organizations like Wrenn House are experiencing during the current sluggish economy.

The project not only involves volunteers who come with hammers in hand, but also many hours of organization and planning, of approaching suppliers for donations of materials, of setting up schedules and coordinating with Wrenn House. Even Glenn White has been amazed at the response and the growth in the scope of the renovation.

But most of all, it is a project filled with satisfaction, knowing that the lives of the staff and of the kids they work with will be changed by the efforts the group has expended. It is a project filled with pride as we all see our efforts rewarded not with a check but with a warm feeling in our hearts for the organization’s hard work to reach these young people in need.

As Glenn White expressed to our members, “I also hope you know that the kids that I have seen show up with their life in a pillow case, will feel more at home, thanks to your efforts!”

Great job, guys!