Restoring Hope and Dignity - Jan McConnell of The Painted Chair Project strives to prevent homelessness by creating first-ever homes for youth aging out of foster care and individuals or families emerging from homelessness after crisis or disaster by transforming their empty house into a warm, welcoming and uplifting home.
As a partner of the Milestone Youth Program supported by the Rotary Club of Salt Lake City the club obtained permission for some of the remaining project funds to be used in partnership with the Painted Chair Project to furnish the new apartments of graduates from the program.
Young people aging out of foster care or emerging from homelessness do not have the family support system that the average American young adult depends on. We believe these young adults need a runway, not a cliff.
Painted Chair use donated household goods and secondhand home goods purchases to transform empty, cold houses into warm, welcoming and uplifting homes, empowering the young adults and recently homeless to begin building a successful life.
They strive to provide a dignified, life changing experience for young adults and families who have suffered homelessness and envision bridging the gap between those in need and those with excess.
They see a world where home furnishings are not sent to landfills but are given a second life.
Aiming to build a committed, creative network of individuals, community leaders, and corporations working toward creating stability for those affected by homelessness. credit - https://thepaintedchairproject.org/our-mission-1
I recently asked Jan McConnell and Mina Koplin of the Milestone Project to share an update on some of the recent apartment transformations. The Painted Chair Project continues to make a meaningful impact in supporting young adults who have successfully transitioned from the Milestone Program into independent living. Through Rotary funding, we recently furnished August’s, a recent graduate, first apartment, creating a warm and welcoming home environment.
Currently, three additional apartments are in progress. One is nearly complete, awaiting the delivery of a final piece of furniture, while two others are being furnished from the ground up. Each completed space reflects Rotary’s commitment to empowering young adults and helping them build stable, confident futures. Below are some pictures of before and after. Setting these youth on the path to independence with a place to call their home.
