Dalhousie Group Home Revamp: Designed by and for Youth

Over February and March, the Dalhousie Group Home (DGH) Team set out a goal to “re-pot DGH into an updated, decorative planter”. With design input from the youth and the help of a few amazing contractors, DGH was transformed into a calming, inspirational oasis.

Lots of updates were made to the spaces at Dalhousie Group Home, including a sunroom on the back porch for youth to hang out and relax in.

A beautiful sunroom was added to enclose the back porch, custom blinds replaced command hooks in all rooms, the youths’ single beds were replaced with double mattresses, foam toppers and new bed frames.

The youth eagerly picked out new sheets, pillows and comforters of their own. Then, they went through the endless paint colour options before deciding on a soothing shade of grey.

The Dalhousie Team also created an “Inspiration Station” on their large kitchen wall for the team and youth to leave inspirational quotes with metallic chalk markers. A large new sectional and sofa completed the main living room providing cozy, comfortable and spacious seating for all to enjoy!

The living room now has a sofa large enough for everyone!

As everything came together in the end, the impact these few updates had on the youth was heard with our ears, observed with our eyes and felt with our hearts.

The youth beamed with excitement and shared comments that warmed our hearts.

“My bed takes up so much space in my room that it doesn’t feel empty and lonely.”

“I have never lived in a place this nice before.”

They were incredibly grateful to have a beautiful new space, and so respectful for all the work and effort that went into creating it. In fact, when a team member sat on the couch and put their feet up, one of the youth was quick to correct them saying, “Don’t put your feet on our new couch, we need to keep it nice!”