The team got started on the project the previous Tuesday.  A small group of SFDC folks gathered to complete an initial walkthrough of the apartments. The spaces were bare and rather dismal, with drab furnishings and in desperate need of a good clean and sprucing up. During the walkthrough, they created a shopping list of all pertinent goods missing from the apartments; items that would bring the spaces to life and provide a welcoming home atmosphere for the teens. 

The day of the project, the group of SFDC employees gathered at the apartment site and methodically cleaned, assembled new furniture and completely transformed the living spaces! The team had a fun and rewarding experience together. We also had a chance to work side by side with some of the teens directly impacted by our efforts, which gave us a deeper insight and appreciation into the challenges they face.  

-- Josie Vertz, Purchasing Buyer

Here’s what the team had to share: 

“The event was amazing.  The Foundation activity was centered on improving the living conditions for young adults in an arranged living situation.  We were tasked to clean rooms and assemble new furniture.  I was awe struck by one girl’s room.  She had kept pictures from various memorial services and posted them on her wall.  There were 11 pictures on the wall, all of young adults, who passed too early in life.  The event left an impression on me, that our few hours of help may possibly make a difference.” - Greg Tennyson

“Love, love, love the opportunity to apply “Design on a Dime” efforts to such a worthy cause … in support of the nation’s leading non-profit working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities for the disabled, the aging, veterans, and the less fortunate. The experience definitely made me reflect and appreciate all those things that we’re blessed with and may take for granted! It felt really rewarding to be able to give back … even if it was just a few hours.” - Linda Chuan

 “The activity was a resounding success.  I was initially reticent about cleaning and building furniture, but after we learned about all the good work of the organization we were supporting, I put my cleaning gloves on!  Especially rewarding was knowing that the young adults would be coming home to a clean, safe and newly decorated home.”

- Jack Tran