Giving Back to the Community

Fall of 2008 I had the pleasure of working with an amazing group of professional organizers on a project to help a Domestic Violence Women's Shelter improve the organization of their space.

It had come to our attention that there was a domestic violence shelter in our area with a new director managing the facility. The new director was making it her personal mission to improve the facility and create a peaceful, welcoming environment for the survivors to come to. She wanted to organize and update the offices, client spaces and storage facilities by removing the clutter and feeling of chaos from the environment. This would allow the office staff to handle the client’s needs as they arrived at the facility in a private and calm environment.

(Before picture of one portion of the office)

Because the facility is a non-profit organization, the project was too much for her to handle on her own and she was unable to afford to hire help. The office was in need of organizing, clearing out the clutter and spatial re-design. There was no place for supplies to be stored as everything was in complete disarray; they did not even know what supplies they had available to hand out to those in need.

Many rooms not only needed organization, but also needed closet shelving systems purchased and installed so they could use their space to it’s full potential.

As women who have children of our own, this project pulled at our heart strings and we wanted to do anything in our power to help the director in her mission. Not only did 9 local organizers came together donating 68 hours of hands-on organizing, we also procured donations from the public and local stores to successfully complete this project.

Here is an after photo of the picture above!

We are still so thrilled with everything you accomplished here! We have actually inspired the entire agency, and the main office is looking at doing some improvements, clutter clean-up and organization of their own now! (Director's comments)