What does it mean to rebuild a life? For families experiencing homelessness, it often starts with physical spaces — spaces that offer not just shelter, but dignity, safety, and the foundation for a fresh start. 

We are proud to announce that Vision House has been selected as one of 100 recipients nationwide for a Lowe's Hometowns grant — a significant $200,000 investment that will transform our facilities and directly impact the families we serve for years to come.

The Reality of Transitional Housing

Transitional housing facilities face unique challenges. Unlike traditional apartment complexes or single-family homes, our units serve multiple families over time.  The wear and tear is inevitable — not from neglect, but from the simple reality of providing a haven for families in crisis.

Consider what happens when a family moves from sleeping in their car to having their own kitchen for the first time in months. That kitchen becomes the family’s heartbeat — it's where children do homework, parents meet over morning coffee, and a refrigerator represents stability.

“These essential repairs, including kitchen remodeling in one of our apartments, are crucial for families who have experienced homelessness and are working to rebuild their lives,” said Derek Sciba, Executive Director of Vision House. “Kitchens serve as gathering spaces where families come together, making it vital to provide a functional and comfortable environment. Thanks to Lowe's support, we can continue strengthening our community one family at a time.”

The Scope of Transformation

The Lowe's Hometowns grant will fund several critical projects at our Renton location:

• Replacing outdoor stairs and decking to provide safe access to family units
• Remodeling an apartment kitchen to create functional, dignified space for family life
• Installing new carpeting to enhance collaboration spaces
• Painting exteriors to refresh Vision House
• Making additional essential improvements that address both safety and comfort

These aren't just cosmetic updates — they're investments in the daily lives of families working to rebuild. 

Community Partnership in Action

Now in its fourth year, Lowe's Hometowns is a $100 million, five-year commitment that demonstrates the power of corporate community investment. Across the country, Lowe's red vest associates will help expand kitchens and serving capacity for food pantries, restore dignity to transitional housing facilities, revitalize parks and gardens, and build restorative spaces for first responders.

The program recognizes a fundamental truth: strong communities require strong spaces. For Vision House, this partnership validates our approach of treating transitional housing not as temporary housing, but as genuine homes where families can rebuild their lives.

Since its launch in 2022, three million people have been projected to benefit from the first three years of Lowe's Hometowns projects. Vision House's families will now be part of this transformative national movement.

The Ripple Effect of Investment

The impact of these improvements extends far beyond the immediate families currently in our program. A renovated kitchen will serve not just today's residents, but families we haven't met yet. This is the mathematics of hope: one investment, multiplied across years of service, touching hundreds of lives.

Looking Forward: Your Role in This Partnership

While we're incredibly grateful to Lowe's for this transformational grant, sustainable change happens when entire communities commit to solutions. Vision House's work continues because of supporters who understand that ending family homelessness requires comprehensive, long-term investment.

Get Involved: We rely on support from our volunteers. From providing childcare to evening meals, there are plenty of ways to pitch in. 

Stay Connected: Follow our progress on social media using #HowLowesHelps and see firsthand how these improvements transform daily life for families in our program. 

Advocate for Hope: Talk to your organization about our work. Corporate giving and volunteering, grants, donation drives — there are so many ways to give, and so many families that need a helping hand.

Building More Than Buildings

“If someone had another viable option — one more person to call, one more friend to stay with — they wouldn't be calling Vision House,” Derek Sciba reminds us. 

The Lowe's Hometowns grant allows us to meet that responsibility. Every renovated kitchen, secure stair, and fresh coat of paint strengthens our message: every family is worthy of dignity, safety, and hope.