Restored Refuge Designs

Our family today moved into their home just a couple of weeks ago. The social workers walking alongside this family were amazed by the transformation, sharing how much brighter and more welcoming the space felt with furniture and thoughtful finishing touches in place.

Mom told us she loves color and was excited to come home to a space that was not only functional, but truly felt like home. It was a joy to create a warm, comfortable environment where her family can settle in, make memories, and begin this new chapter with a sense of peace and belonging. ❤️

One of our volunteers prays over every move we do. Specifically today she prayed that we would experience the goodness of God throughout the day. Looking back, that truly became the theme of today.

God’s goodness was evident the moment we walked into the apartment and found a pregnant mom sitting on the floor waiting for us. She had just moved in with her 5-year-old son and is due in August. In the middle of so much transition, she was filled with gratitude.

We saw God’s goodness again through the way our volunteers served. While I was on the move with one volunteer, Jodie and another volunteer spent the day at our storage space cleaning and organizing.

From meaningful moments to simple acts of service, we experienced God’s goodness.

There are moments when we are given a glimpse into the stories carried by the families we serve. Recently, we furnished a home for a mother, her three children, and her sister.

Today, we learned of the deep losses this family has endured. Mom shared the tragic loss of a child and, more recently, the unexpected loss of her sister due to medical complications. And still, they continue forward with incredible strength.

While we cannot fully enter into every family’s story, we hope that as we step into their homes, we leave behind more than furniture — we leave a sense of refuge, comfort, and peace.

Mom sent us a text of gratitude after the move:

“Thank you so so much. I cried when I saw my house. My kids are going to be so excited when they see. I love it! “

This week, a family of four now has a place to call home.

One special piece included in this move was a large futon chair for Mom, who hoped for a comfortable sleeping option in the living room. It was a piece we had been holding onto, unsure of where it would best fit, and this family turned out to be the perfect match.

After the move, Mom sent us a beautiful note and testimony that deeply encouraged our team and reminded us how impactful creating a welcoming home can be.

Today’s move was a big one as we helped move a family of 8, with baby number 7 expected this fall. We were excited to set up triple and double bunk beds for the kids and use a large sectional that had been waiting in storage for the perfect family.

A huge thank you to Two Men and a Truck for always going above and beyond. From navigating multiple flights of stairs and narrow doorways to hoisting the sectional over a balcony and through a slider, they worked tirelessly to help make this house feel like home for a growing family.

It was a day full of smiles—with a few happy tears—as we helped a family of five turn their house into a home.

Mom shared that her oldest daughter’s biggest wish was a bed of her own, and seeing that come to life was so special. Dad loved the couch and was already dreaming up the perfect TV spot, while Mom was thrilled with the blue tones and artwork in their room.

They kept saying how excited the kids would be—and moments like this remind us it’s about so much more than furniture.

Thank you, Dollar Difference, for your generous donation of brand new books for the kiddos we serve.

It adds such a special touch when we’re able to include small, thoughtful gifts like these for our families.

Book Blessing Organization :

Restored Refuge Designs was excited to receive a stash of brand new books last month to share with the families they serve, leaving a few behind with each move so that the children in the home have the gift of reading to hold onto. 📚

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to 100+ Women Who Care. Their simple and impactful approach to raising funds for local organizations is truly inspiring.

We were incredibly blessed by the Grand River chapter with a generous $5,610.75 donation. This gift will directly provide new mattresses and bed pillows for the families we serve—meeting a very real and tangible need.

We highly encourage you to check them out! It’s a meaningful way to support your community while building genuine, lasting friendships.

Today’s move looked a little different than usual—and it’s one we won’t soon forget.

Instead of moving furniture out of our storage space, we had the joy of moving furniture in. A very generous supporter, in the process of downsizing, donated most of the furniture and items from her three-story downtown condo. It was no small task… they even needed a crane to carefully bring items down from the third floor!

What an incredible and humbling gift. We are deeply grateful and continue to stand in awe of God’s faithful provision every step of the way.