Every Detail Makes It A Home
Our mission is driven by your generosity
How it works
Our approach to creating a home is simple: by partnering with local social service agencies and the Chicago community, we Relate, Renew, and Rebuild.
Collect
We gather gently used home furnishings from people in our community who want to help others in need. They donate their furniture and household items to us, and we store them in our warehouse until we can give them to individuals and families who are transitioning out of homelessness.
relate:Understanding their vision
● We meet one-on-one with our clients to discuss their journey, lifestyle, challenges and dreams for the future.
● Through that intimate discovery, we handcraft the vision for their home with styles, colors and decor that are truly personal to them.
● We curate a wishlist for each room with items they’ve always dreamed of having.
Relate: Understanding Their vision
● We meet one-on-one with our clients to discuss their journey, lifestyle, challenges and dreams for the future.
● Through that intimate discovery, we handcraft the vision for their home with styles, colors and decor that are truly personal to them.
● We curate a wishlist for each room with items they’ve always dreamed of having.
Renew: Bringing Their Vision to Life, Sustainably
● Our designer and volunteers translate their vision into a complete home design by identifying meaningful pieces that reflect their unique characteristics and style.
● We upcycle furniture, lamps, artwork and household goods that need a little (or a lot of) love into beautiful, functional, good-as-new pieces.
● Through those sustainable processes, we keep an average of 1,100 lbs of furniture and home goods per house from ending up in community landfills.
Collect
We gather gently used home furnishings from people in our community who want to help others in need. They donate their furniture and household items to us, and we store them in our warehouse until we can give them to individuals and families who are transitioning out of homelessness.
Connect
Working closely with social workers based in Chicago, we identify families who are transitioning out of homelessness and in need of support to furnish their new home.
The Digs with Dignity team takes the time to connect with each family and learn about their unique circumstances, interests, and tastes. We ask questions about what colors the family likes, what interests the children have, and what items would make their new residence feel like a true home.
renew: Bringing their vision to life, sustainably
● Our designer and volunteers translate their vision into a complete home design by identifying meaningful pieces that reflect their unique characteristics and style.
● We upcycle furniture, lamps, artwork and household goods that need a little (or a lot of) love into beautiful, functional, good-as-new pieces.
● Through those sustainable processes, we keep an average of 1,100 lbs of furniture and home goods per house from ending up in community landfills.
Rebuild: Transforming Their New Home
● Our movers and eager volunteers from the Chicago community come together to pack, load and install all components of the design.
● In just 6 hours, the previously empty space becomes their HOME: a place of safety, comfort, and hope.
● After the move, our clients are equipped with elevated self-confidence and the resolve to achieve their goals. They will forever be members of the DIGS community
WHAT DOES A DIGS DAY LOOK LIKE?
9:00 AM: Rise and shine! Meet the DIGS team and the family at their home. Learn about the family, their story, and how we will help them take the next step toward their goals and rebuilding their lives.
9:00 AM-2:30 PM: Roll up your sleeves and get to work! With the DIGS team of pros and volunteers, lightly clean the space, move in furniture, hang artwork, furnish and decorate bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens.
2:30 PM: The BIG REVEAL! Witness the direct impact, oftentimes happy tears and megawatt smiles, when the family returns for a first look at the home of their dreams made possible by you and the DIGS crew.
rebuild: Transforming Their New Home
● Our movers and eager volunteers from the Chicago community come together to pack, load and install all components of the design.
● In just 6 hours, the previously empty space becomes their HOME: a place of safety, comfort, and hope.
● After the move, our clients are equipped with elevated self-confidence and the resolve to achieve their goals. They will forever be members of the DIGS community
WHAT DOES A DIGS DAY LOOK LIKE?
9:00 AM: Rise and shine! Meet the DIGS team and the family at their home. Learn about the family, their story, and how we will help them take the next step toward their goals and rebuilding their lives.
9:00 AM-2:30 PM: Roll up your sleeves and get to work! With the DIGS team of pros and volunteers, lightly clean the space, move in furniture, hang artwork, furnish and decorate bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens.
2:30 PM: The BIG REVEAL! Witness the direct impact, oftentimes happy tears and megawatt smiles, when the family returns for a first look at the home of their dreams made possible by you and the DIGS crew.
design
During the design process, every detail is carefully considered to ensure that the space is functional, comfortable, and inspiring. Every shelf is filled with books and knick-knacks, every bed is made with care, and every child is provided with toys that reflect their individual interests.
We are committed to designing a space that feels like a true home for the family. In just one week, the team packs, sorts, and prepares the space for the family’s move-in day, ensuring that the transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
WHAT DOES A DIGS DAY LOOK LIKE?
9:00 AM: Rise and shine! Meet the DIGS Team and the family at their home. Learn about the family, their story, and how we will help them take the next step toward their goals and rebuilding their lives.
9:00 AM-2:30 PM: Roll up your sleeves and get to work! With the DIGS team of pros and volunteers, lightly clean the space, move in furniture, hang artwork, furnish and decorate bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens.
2:30 PM: The BIG Reveal! Witness the direct impact, oftentimes happy tears and megawatt smiles, when the family returns for a first look at the home of their dreams made possible by you and the DIGS Crew.
identify
At Digs with Dignity, every item that is donated by the community is either used as is, repaired, or recycled. Our woodworker and handyman carefully assess each item to determine if any repairs are needed. Broken drawers are fixed, and missing legs and handles are custom cut to ensure that every item is functional and beautiful.
By refurbishing and repairing donated items, Digs with Dignity is able to provide families with high-quality furniture and household items that they might not otherwise be able to afford. With a focus on sustainability and quality, Digs with Dignity creates spaces that are both beautiful and functional, providing families with a sense of pride and hope for the future.
identify
At Digs with Dignity, every item that is donated by the community is either used as is, repaired, or recycled. Our woodworker and handyman carefully assess each item to determine if any repairs are needed. Broken drawers are fixed, and missing legs and handles are custom cut to ensure that every item is functional and beautiful.
By refurbishing and repairing donated items, Digs with Dignity is able to provide families with high-quality furniture and household items that they might not otherwise be able to afford. With a focus on sustainability and quality, Digs with Dignity creates spaces that are both beautiful and functional, providing families with a sense of pride and hope for the future.
move
After carefully designing and furnishing the space, the team at Digs with Dignity works to coordinate the logistics of the move. The organization arranges for professional movers to transport the furniture and household items to the family’s new home, ensuring that everything arrives safely and on time.
On move-in day, the Digs with Dignity team is there to welcome the family and help them settle into their new space. With the furniture in place and the home thoughtfully decorated, the family can begin to feel a sense of stability and comfort in their new surroundings.
move
After carefully designing and furnishing the space, the team at Digs with Dignity works to coordinate the logistics of the move. The organization arranges for professional movers to transport the furniture and household items to the family’s new home, ensuring that everything arrives safely and on time.
On move-in day, the Digs with Dignity team is there to welcome the family and help them settle into their new space. With the furniture in place and the home thoughtfully decorated, the family can begin to feel a sense of stability and comfort in their new surroundings.
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