When I was in elementary school I remember one day we got called to a school assembly, with news that we had a special guest. Everyone was buzzing with excitement guessing who it could be. An author? A singer? Someone from GoNoodle? Our special guests were these two girls from something called Humble Design. They told us Humble Design was a charity for homeless people and showed us a video of them renovating someone’s house. In the video one of the client’s kids came back early. It was a little boy, about 10 years old and his name was Mario. Mario was given his first bed ever, and refused to leave his room because he was afraid to lose it. The fact that this was his first bed ever blew my mind. That video changed the way I thought, and for years I begged my mom to stop donating to Goodwill and start donating to Humble Design. 

Founded by Treger Strasberg and located on N Saginaw Street in Pontiac, Humble Design is a non-profit that extends assistance to families, individuals, and retired veterans who are transitioning out of homelessness and into a stable house.

Humble Design aims to create a welcoming environment for families to rebuild their lives with comfort and hope. The charity custom-designs and fully refurbishes homes, having helped over 10,000 people since 2009. Although Humble Design does not provide housing, they can work with their partnering agencies, such as Clorox, Article, and Fruit of the Loom, who help them secure housing.

But the question is: how can you help? Humble Design accepts almost anything house related. Some examples can be couches, bedsheets, curtains, or lamps. You can donate by dropping off your donations at their site 8:00am-12:00pm Monday to Friday, no appointment needed. Donation money is also accepted on their website: www.humbledesign.org. Along with donations, volunteers are also welcome with the sign up on the website. 

If you know anyone emerging from homelessness who would appreciate Humble Design’s services, requesting service for someone else is also welcomed (on the website). 

We have fourteen days of break and fourteen chances to give back. Who knows? You might be giving another little boy his first bed.