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Humble Design, Inc.
Contact: Treger Strasberg
Phone: 248-248-5051
Email Address: treger@humbledesign.org
Humble Design, Inc. a Michigan Nonprofit
Furnishing Homes for Families Emerging from Homelessness.
BIRMINGHAM, May, 2012 – Birmingham based Humble Design, Inc. was formed in the summer of 2009 to assist families coming out of homeless and abuse shelters with the process of rebuilding their home lives. Their mission: to turn four bare walls into a safe, dignified, and welcoming home by repurposing gently used household goods.
The vision of two Birmingham women, Ana Smith and Treger Strasberg, Humble Design was born out of their belief that decent families emerging from homelessness and into stable low-income housing after facing unexpected health problems, joblessness, or domestic violence deserve to come home each day to a safe, friendly, dignified home. All family members will have more time, effort and resources to focus on education, home life, employment, and building a better future.
They consider their services and resources a form of uplifting regifting – Humble Design strives to make a big impact on its client families while minimizing the impact on the environment. Virtually 100% of their furnishings are direct donations of used furniture. Humble Design is revitalizing metro Detroit neighborhoods one household at a time.
Humble Design partners with local area homeless and abuse shelters to identify families that are emerging from shelters and into low-income housing. Many of these families are victims of abuse and have left behind all personal items upon escaping and entering an emergency shelter. Most have no beds, books, toys, or furniture to call their own.
Once a partnering agency makes a referral, Humble Design volunteers meet with the families to do a needs assessment and develop a client wish-list. From there, Humble Design volunteers move swiftly to: assemble the furnishings, toys, accessories (like books and lamps), and housewares; do any minor cleaning; and, officially move the families into their new housing.
The end result is something like an extreme makeover on-a-dime”. Humble designers are very adept at creating safe, comfortable and welcoming homes with a total per-home budget of only $500-$1,500 including the value of all furnishings and in-kind services. The Humble families are overwhelmed by the generosity and support received from the Humble designers. The designers are truly fulfilled by giving of their time and talents to help others in need.
Humble Design currently has the capacity to assist up to two families per week, and all referrals must come through a partnering organization. Humble Design presently partners with South Oakland Shelter, Haven in Pontiac, Cass Services, Jewish Family Services, Habitat for Humanity, COTS, Looking For My Sister and many others.
Corporations and individuals can “adopt a family” by donating $500 to Humble Design on their website or by mail. This amount is estimated by the organization to be sufficient to cover move-in costs, mattresses, minor repairs, and cleaning supplies for one family. The organization is all volunteer led, so all contributions go directly to benefit the needy families.
