DETROIT – First Step, a Wayne County nonprofit that provides shelter and services for survivors of domestic violence, is set to renovate its residential program after receiving a $100,000 Lowe’s Community Impact Grant.
The organization was selected as one of 100 nonprofits nationwide to receive a grant through Lowe’s community impact initiative — and one of only two organizations in Michigan chosen this year.
This week, Lowe’s announced it was distributing $20 million in funding to organizations across the country through the grants.
First Step’s shelter includes 10 family suites and can house more than 50 people at a time. With the new funding, each suite will receive major upgrades, including new appliances, bedroom furniture, and dining tables.
“Each suite will be getting a renovated bathroom, kitchen, new appliances in the kitchen,” said Lauren LaViola, First Step’s director of philanthropy and advancement.
The shelter’s laundry room will also be renovated, with new washers and dryers, flooring and paint planned as part of the project.
Jeni Hooper, First Step’s executive director, said the goal is to create a secure, welcoming environment for families arriving after leaving dangerous situations.
“When someone is leaving such a significant situation, and such a serious or lethal situation, and bringing their children into this space, the first thing they’re going to see is this welcoming environment,” Hooper said.
In addition to providing the funding, Lowe’s will provide hands-on support through its team of ambassadors, who will help coordinate the renovations.
“We’ll help with coordinating the deliveries; we’ll help with coordinating the orders, making sure that they’re handled with care,” said Ladonna Moore, a Lowe’s impact ambassador.
Moore said the work is personally meaningful — and rewarding — because it puts employees alongside the organizations and families they’re supporting.
“It’s a part of why I love working for Lowe’s,” Moore said. “I’ve been doing this for the last five years when they rolled this out, and it’s really the part that I look forward to the most. It’s just being able to see us bring joy to people in spaces that sometimes feel like it’s impossible.”
LaViola said the grant is a major win, at a time when state and federal funding for the shelter is uncertain.
“Knowing that we get to share something positive like this and show that someone is investing in us at a time that the investment isn’t there, I think that is just something that’s beautiful and gives us hope,” LaViola said. “There’s still communities that care about their community.”
The renovations are expected to be completed in December.