Residents of the ACTS Turning Points Domestic Violence Program can now gather for meals and family time in this greatly enlarged and updated kitchen.

HomeAid, Winchester Homes and 14 trade partners have completed a $49,000 project for the ACTS Turning Points Domestic Violence Program, transforming a small, inefficient kitchen into an expanded gathering place for resident families to share meals together, complete homework, and gather as a community.

Brian Phebus, director of production for Winchester, said the project started out as an effort to update a kitchen, but ultimately became far more. "We thought about how residents were using the space," he explained, "and then asked how we could make it better. The eating area was small and underutilized, there wasn't enough space for storage or food preparation, and an adjacent powder room was far bigger than necessary for the current residents. In talking with ACTS staff, we wanted to make the kitchen a bigger, more relaxed gathering place that families could use for a variety of purposes."

Winchester and trade partners ultimately gutted the kitchen; remodeled the powder room and moved a wall to enlarge the kitchen; built a dining bar to double the seating that a traditional table would have offered; added cabinets and storage; expanded counter space; and installed all new flooring, countertops, cabinetry, and appliances.

Dotty Larson, ACTS' program director, said the project has boosted the morale of the residents, all of whom have fled domestic violence situations and will stay in the home for an average of 45 days. "The kitchen was seriously outdated and worn," she said, "and this project has done a world of good. Many of our families don't have relatives in the area, and they've come here to be safe ... so it's a huge boost for them to see members of the community doing something for them, and realize that there are people who care about them. A lot of our residents, especially the kids, needed this reminder that people are looking out for them and that they care."

Find out why Hizer Home Improvement didn't skip a beat in getting to a "yes!" answer when asked to work on the ACTS project.