Six months later, the makeover was complete and it was amazing. Even more amazing to me was that I had found my true calling. I wanted to use all of my talents and skills to provide refuge, solace, and hope to people, women and children in the shelters, myself, and volunteers alike.

As I continued accepting work from private clients, I felt something was missing. I had taken on additional shelter projects in 2007, but continued to hold onto the security of my paying clients. In December, 2008, I decided to close my decorating business, Terry’s Enchanted Cottage.

I knew without a doubt that God had much bigger plans for my life, and He needed to use me for His glory. We made a deal with each other on that day. I asked that He would continue to provide the needs for my family (food and a roof over our heads) and His request was, “Glorify Me”.

In August 2009, Terry’s Enchanted Cottage, established back in 2005, ultimately became Enchanted Makeovers, a non-profit 501 (C) 3 organization.

TM: Tell me about any current or upcoming projects.

TG: For the past six years, I have had a cleaning job in the evening in order to devote my day to this mission.  I have never received a salary and use my 800 sq. foot home I share with my husband and 4 children to store donations and supplies.  However, this important work can no longer be sustained under the current structure and operating model.  As the requests and demand continue to increase, I am no longer able to address all that needs to be done.  In addition, I have had to turn-away donations due to lack of storage space.

My vision for the future is to be able to replicate this model so the many shelters for women and children across America can all experience the same positive outcomes.  In order to do that, an organizational infra-structure needs to be developed.  Relying strictly on volunteers, donations and inconsistent/sporadic financial support from individuals does not allow Enchanted Makeovers to be as effective as possible.  I now need to take Enchanted Makeovers to the next level!

First, I am working to secure a national headquarters where central operations would be conducted.  Support staff would be hired and the space would also be used as a clearing house for donations.  Training programs would be developed so that the model can be replicated throughout the country.  I also dream of creating a special line of commercial “cottage-style” furniture and fire-retardant fabric that would be used for the shelter makeovers.  This would replace the sterile commercial furniture, donated prison beds and used nursing home bedspreads.  America would be able to support the mission by purchasing from the Enchanted Makeovers’ line!

I already have my sights on a building that is perfect for these plans.  I know it’s perfect and meant-to-be because I found the key to the front door on a sidewalk while taking a walk.  It turns out the house was for sale/lease and is still available today.  We believe this will be “The House That Love Built” where people will come to not only make a difference but transform their own lives.

We are also in the process of selecting the shelter we will be working with for the next makeover.  In the meantime, our programs like “Capes for Kids” and the “Pillow Case” program are always on-going.

TM: What are some things people can do in their own communities to help the homeless?

 Opportunities present themselves all of the time. We just have to be awakened enough to see them. I feel blessed that God opened my eyes with the vision of the polka-dot pillow. You see, in December 2006, I received a call from a gentleman asking for help. I was an interior decorator, and he was the black tie event coordinator of a local shelter.He said, “we would be so grateful even if you just painted one wall.” Honestly, at the time, my first reaction was fear. I was fearful of going. I really didn’t know what to expect. I had never been to a shelter.

I decided to make the visit and, as with all of the consultations I conducted with my private clients in my decorating business, I took photos to assist with any necessary planning and visualization. That is, if I would actually accept the volunteer job. I still wasn’t sure, and was leaning towards a “probably not”.

A week had passed since my first visit to the shelter. I hadn’t given it much thought. All I know is that I had this lingering feeling of despair knowing the living conditions of the women and children. I began to reflect upon my own expectations for my life and the dreams of a child. I was a big dreamer; my mother instilled this upon me and my siblings.

Had I forgotten my own dreams?

My mother taught me that decorating didn’t need to be motivated by money and that by relying on your own creativity and vision – each home improvement was a selfless act of love. For my mother, making a home where her five children felt safe and where our spirits could soar was as important as keeping us fed and clothed.

There amongst the harshness was something dear to my heart: a polka dot, a safe pattern that has no sharp edges. There on that seemingly ordinary pillow was an answer. It was an answer from within me but not directly from me.When I saw the polka dots in that picture, I heard, “Trust me.” From that moment, I knew I was prepared to do whatever I could to bring hope to those women and children.Soon, I was back at the shelter presenting them with a design plan and a vision of what was to come. There was no turning back. I vowed to see this project to completion.

With no funds and no volunteers lining up at the door, I had only to put my trust in God, keep the faith and, most importantly, I needed to step away from my ego. These women and children must not be disappointed again.

As I presented the plan to the group of women and staff, I was overcome with emotion. I again was that vulnerable child wanting their acceptance. I realized the thin wall that separated our lives. We all deserved and desired the same things. It was simple, but seemingly so complicated in its simplicity. I would find a way to break through this thin wall.