2011 Winner: - The Bald Ridge Lodge

This is a non-profit shelter for boys ages 12-17 located in Forsyth County. The facility provides a safe haven and counseling in a therapeutic enviornmnet for boys who are in need of protection, direction and supervision.

The home’s main living area was the focus of this year’s charitable makeover. The 'Before' photo of the room depicts a space with a couple of outdated big box TVs and some stackable “waiting room style” chairs.  The Designing Dreams team along with other local businesses and sponsors and individuals donated time, labor, materials and funds. “We can’t do this without the support of generous individuals and businesses in the community” says Designing Dreams founder Allison Havill Todd.

Before the makeover

After the makeover

The makeover included a new pool table, flat screen TV, custom built-in shelving and bead board trim, area rugs, comfortable new seating, tables with granite tops, custom window treatments, and fresh paint on all the trim. After months of planning, the transformation took place over the course of 3 days while the staff and residents of The Lodge anxiously waited. “The reactions were really strong.  They were all in awe”, said John Haigler, executive director of The Bald Ridge Lodge. “We feel it is important to make this feel like as much of a home as possible while each of the boys is here,” comments Todd.

 

Past Winners

 

2010 Winner - Jesse's House

Jesse's House, a non-profit organization that provides emergency and long-term care to female youth, was chosen as the 2010 Designing Dreams recipient. Allison Havill Todd expressed the sentiment of the judges when she said, "We're thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jesse's House. The work they do with young girls in our community is vital and this gives Designing Dreams the ability to help improve the environment for all the youth that pass through their doors."

The main living area including the community room and the adjacent meeting room were chosen as the focus of the Designing Dreams team. While functional, both were in sore need of a face-lift to make them warmer and more cheerful. Since they're where a majority of the girls and staff spend at least part of the day, it was a natural choice.

Todd and her team started with the flooring. Industrial carpet was replaced by hardwoods and stain resistant area rugs. The result is easier to clean and maintain, yet it makes the whole room feel cozier. New colors were added to the walls and inspirational sayings make a formerly blank wall come to life. Furniture was replaced with leather sofas and upholstered easy chairs that will wear well for years to come.

Before the makeover

The centerpieces of the makeover are the entertainment centers with brand new flat screen TVs. One serves as the focal point of the community room, providing a place for the girls to gather and relax together. But, if there's a disagreement over channels, there's always the second entertainment center and TV available in the meeting room. Finishing touches include draperies, accessories and wall hangings that make the space more home-like.

The girls were amazed at the speed of the entire remodeling process, watching their home's complete change over in just three days! Both the girls and the staff are delighted with the results. "It's amazing how quickly Designing Dreams was able to renovate Jesse's House," commented Adlen Robinson, Volunteer Coordinator. "Allison and all the contractors were such a pleasure to work with. They understood how important the living space is to the program and were able to come in like a whirlwind, painting, replacing and literally transforming our community and meeting rooms almost overnight. I'm sure there was a lot of work that went on behind the scenes to make this happen and we appreciate their efforts," she explained. "Now that the work is completed, we are all really enjoying the new living space. You don't realize what you're missing until you see the huge difference a professional design team can make," Robinson continued.

Jesse's House, a children's shelter, serves metro area girls who have suffered abuse or delinquency. It grew out of the recognized need for an emergency children's shelter in the North Georgia area. The shelter has three main goals: to serve high risk girls between the ages of seven and seventeen who are referred from the Department of Family and Children's Services or Department of Juvenile Justice; to reunify the residents with their families whenever possible; and to provide a safe house until permanent placement is found. Since 2000, Jesse's House has taken in more than 430 young women from 21 counties throughout North Georgia, including the Atlanta metro area.

• 2009 Winner - THE WAMPLER-PATRICK FAMILY