GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — When a young child is abused, sometimes they return to the same house and room where the abuse took place.
But one non-profit is changing that.
Room Redux transform’s children’s rooms into a safe space for kid’s who have endured trauma.
The organization was founded in 2018.
It was brought to northern Michigan in 2021 by Ryan Hallett and his wife Cierra.
“We want all these kids that we are you know that we are helping to feel loved and to feel wanted and to feel respected and to know that, you know, they do not have to look at the things that may have happened in the past because they’re turning that page of their book, and they get to write a new story,” Hallet said. “And the best part about it is we give them the tools to help them write that story.”
So far, five rooms have been transformed in Ogemaw, Roscommon, Otsego counties.
Currently, six rooms are pending to be remodeled.
“It’s not just a rug and a new bedspread and you know a couple of decorations it is it is a transformation in every sense of the word,” Hallet said. “So, we look to replace the flooring, if it needs it. We repair walls we repair doors.”
Kim Lewis owns Farmhouse Finds.
Lewis refurbished and paint’s furniture to match the theme to the child’s room.
“It’s actually very awesome feeling being a fellow child abuse sexual abuse survivor myself, I can see the merit in having a nice fresh space that’s been custom done to the kiddos liking so they can have a little space to relax and have like a sanctuary so maybe they can get a nice fresh start again on life and realize that it’s not all bad,” Lewis said.
And if you want to get involved
“We are always looking for electricians, licensed electricians,” Hallet said. “We’re always looking for plumbers. You know people that like if we get into a pinch and we need to hang a lamp or something like that. We’ve got somebody that’s licensed and certified that could come in and do that for us without risk of somebody getting hurt.”
The average cost to do a room is $2,000 but is free to the children who need them.
The organizations rely on donations.