What a wonderful idea for those who have the means and the skills and equally skilled friends (a one-family-generated Habitat for Humanity approach). Generous to others and good for the community, to have a home rebuilt and lived in again. Thanks for the mid-week inspiration.

So wonderful!!!

Happy for the House and the Families involved!

This warmed my heart. Grassroots efforts like these are what will get our country and economy back on track. When there is not enough money to spread around, we can still exchange with each other through skills and gifts. Kudos on making a real difference and sharing it forward.

Sweet people, to pitch in and help make a home. Some important information is left out, though. Who owns the home -- the couple across the street, or a foundation? What happens to the house after the featured family's transitional year?

I LOVE this! Way to bring restoration to this neighborhood but also to this family. What a wonderful expression of love.

This is awesome. What a great way to use your skills and give back at the same time.

This is awesome!

That's so cool!!

That's great! The new inhabitants look very happy.

This so uplifting and inspiring. Everybody fighting over the before and after lamp needs to look at this for some perspective.
A few years ago in my oldest sister's little village in Ohio the townsfolk and area contractors and retailers did a home makeover for a pair of elderly siblings who lived in a withdrawn and secluded manner when it was discovered the extreme state of disrepair that their home had fallen into. My niece's husband was one of the participating contractore (drywall) and my brother-in-law's service station was a donation collection point. We need to remember that this kind of helpfulness, generosity and kindness are not things of the supposedly more "golden, olden days" but are still practiced more frequently than we informed through news media. Knowing about these sort of efforts gives hope.

Neat story. A really proactive way to make an immediate difference in someone's life.

Excellent!

Now THIS is "therapy," something that heals a family, a community and a space, and not just more of your site's usual catalog-programmed consumers trading brand names and banalities.

What a country! Great people!

Their smiles said it all,didnt it? What a lovely story,THANK YOU.

Oh, we need more of these stories on popular websites like this one. These are the renovations that matter, that make a difference, that are well worth the resources. Thank you for featuring this one-- it's beautiful.

World Therapy - THIS is the stuff that changes the world.

Tears in my eyes - thank you.

I hardly ever tear up - but I did today, watching this. Thanks to the family who inspired me to do what I'm called to do. Each of us brings our gifts, background, and passion to the world. Love seeing how God uses us, the way he made us, where he put us. Thanks for sharing this. I'm inspired! Reposting at www.peacefulones.blogspot.com

Wow this is a great way to help a family and keep the neighborhood up a little bit. Great that this group got together and donated their time for such a great cause!

So uplifting.....Rnad R I ditto you questions..may we have a follow up?

PLANT a refurbished house and a HOME will be GROWN ....by a FAMILY.

Beautiful story!

So very nice!

What a wonderful story -- this made my day. Such charming families too!

I want to kiss your parents! They are amazing. So inspirational yet so humble just like most heros.

Great work, folks!

I hope you can answer the questions that Rural and Rueful asks so that others might better strategize how to do something like this where they live. Or maybe your parents might find someone to donate their time to making a webpage of their experience--how they did it and what they learned--so that others might follow suit. Fabulous.

right on, v1m! I agree wholeheartedly -- there is something so real and filling in this post that isn't about design, art or consumerism, but about generosity of spirit and creating a home for people who want to build a new life for their family. Thank you AT for posting this and great job to the folks who pitched in to make this home possible!

Great, inspiring story and idea. Thank you for sharing this.

*sniff* wiping tears here
God is good all the time..
TFS

Thanks for posting, everyone!! I have some more details. :) The home is still owned by my parents (technically, it's a long term investment). They worked with an organization called "Lutheran Services of Iowa" to help find the right family. After this family moves into a permanent home, a new refugee family will be placed there. There are many types of "transitional homes" that exist for vulnerable people in need of stable housing to get on their feet (including women and children affected by substance abuse, etc, etc.). Iowa is one of a few states who have officially volunteered to be a refugee resettlement community, so there are lots of organizations there that mobilize volunteers and special projects like this one. But every state has a Bureau of Refugee Services and if you just call them and ask what they need help with, they will let you know what household items/clothes they need or put you to work! When I was a kid my mom did just that and they said what they needed most was people just to be friends, and help newly arrived refugees practice English. We spent a lot of time as a family drinking Croatian coffee, trying Ecuadorian lasagna, etc etc. and the experience has changed all of our lives. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for a way to volunteer! And if you're interested in rebuilding a house, email me and I will gladly pass on your email to my parents, who would love to help someone else do the same thing they did. It's been a terrific experience for everyone. Thanks guys and don't hesitate to ask more questions!!

see below!

What your parents have done is amazing -very inspiring!