Interior Designer Remodels Women's Shelter

For Eric Charles Jirgens, deciding to volunteer his 25 years of interior design experience to a women's shelter was a utilitarian matter: his usual flow of big-budget design projects had subsided during the downturn, but his skills and passion had not.

"That got me thinking, 'Why not redirect them for a good cause?'" he recalls. "I just needed to make enough money to pay my bills, and the rest I could spend making other people's lives a bit better. It's a win-win situation."

Last November Jirgens, who runs his own design firm, decided to apply his design philosophy of creating "beautiful, functional and original" homes to a small women's shelter in Grand Rapids, MI, Degage Ministries. After seeing the "thrown together" furniture at the shelter, he says he felt a professional designer's touch could greatly improve the lives of the women staying there-- mostly victims of domestic violence who come to the shelter out of desperation.

"I wanted to offer some dignity to these women by creating an actual living space, one with furniture that is comfortable, functional and well-suited to their needs," he says. "These aren't million-dollar makeovers, but a matter of putting in creature comforts to create a warmer home environment."

Ultimately, Jirgens hopes to turn Degage into a model of how designers can use their skills to pay it forward: "The hope is to establish long-term partnerships with a large retail chain so we can go around doing up more shelters," he says. "If we can find a formula to make this work, this is something that designers across the country could easily do."

Comments

[Kevin Carney]

12:17 PM on 09/24/2010

Here here to Pleroma. This is a wonder example of what the recovery looks like.

Kevin @ Solera Home Improvement

[munki]

11:43 AM on 09/21/2010

Great idea, but designs could help to have different charisma.

What I mean is, so many designs I have seen in S. CA are look a like, out of text book...???

Could we have more charisma for each... character of a house?

[Pleroma]

11:54 AM on 09/20/2010

Thanks to Eric Charles Jirgen for showing us all what the recovery looks like. The real recovery of real people, not just the politicians and financial ghouls.
Beautiful work. An inspiration.

[N8tracks]

03:30 PM on 09/19/2010

yeah, thats what they need.

[DavidByron]

11:31 PM on 09/18/2010

It's not really a women's shelter. It's christian run not feminist run. I was wondering if they have a bigoted no-male victims policy as most women's shelter's have because they are usually run by the feminist hate movement and run with deliberate sex discrimination.

In fact it looks like it does discriminate and turn away all male victims but it isn't a shelter just an overnight stop like a homeless shelter I think.

[LibChicAZ]

12:40 PM on 09/19/2010

No one is stopping you from starting up an anti-feminist men's shelter. I wnt to the website and I didn't see anything that said they don't extend their services to men.

[Linda Williams]

01:06 PM on 09/19/2010

Seems you have little love for others and at least women. These are unfounded remarks. Do your research. Or, do you feel guilty about something?

[lauram]

10:26 AM on 09/18/2010

Thank you to Mr. Jirgens and to huffpo for making us aware of his efforts. Yes, even people in a shelter deserve to be treated with dignity and not told that old broken furniture is "good enough."

[johnjohn1234]

07:59 AM on 09/18/2010

Nice idea. The style is a bit old-lady 101.

[MRDMSY]

12:07 PM on 09/18/2010

Actually, it looks more eclectic to me. There's a balance of a mixture of traditional, modern, antique, transitional pieces, etc. He did a great job -- it looks chic and tasteful.

[Linda Williams]

01:04 PM on 09/19/2010

I thought it was a bit old lady, too. But it seems to be running more 'classy'. And, classy is what someone needs after being pulled to low depths. It boosts one's self worth. Also, women who are well educated or accustomed to a higher financial environment than most might be more inclined to seek help. We only think of people in
lower' classes needing a 'shelter'.

[Pleroma]

12:01 PM on 09/20/2010

The clean and comfortable look, with plenty of structure. It looks ideal for the use. Brilliant, openhearted design.
Nothing's better.

[dissanayake]

07:39 AM on 09/18/2010

There is no better way to share the good fortune that a God Given- gift, has bestowed upon the gifted.

[jukesgrrl]

11:28 PM on 09/17/2010

Mr. Jirgens, what a wonderful gift you've given. You're so right that attractive surroundings can improve a person's overall spirit. The clients will feel more respected, and it's thanks to you. I hope the retailers you've given business to over the years will lend a hand to your project.