Green Doors Blog > The Beauty of Giving Back

The Beauty of Giving Back

For the last several years, Green Doors has been focused diligently on providing clean, safe and quality affordable housing for our residents at Treaty Oaks.

This goal has been achieved and the apartment homes look beautiful. However, other than the amazing oaks trees on the property, the landscaping was non-existent and not up to the same quality as the homes. In fact, one of the main social centers of the property was referred to by residents as the “mud pit”.

Treaty Oaks residents and Green Doors staff socializing in the “mud pit”.

Treaty Oaks residents and Green Doors staff socializing in the “mud pit”.

Also included on the property at the time of purchase was a swimming pool.  While refreshing, the pool cost a lot to maintain and wasn’t very safe. It was removed and filled in, but the area still didn’t look very nice.

Raised garden beds ready for recycled glass, soil, and plants!

Raised garden beds ready for recycled glass, soil, and plants!

So, the next major organizational priority was to get the landscaping in shape.

In July, we received an email from Barbara at Whole Foods. She said they were gearing up for their Global Volunteer Week in September and wanted to help us. The timing of her email could not have been more perfect!

Whole Foods volunteers met at Treaty Oaks during their week of giving back and helped to completely transform the “mud pit” into a beautiful park with sparkling recycled glass, vibrant, colorful potted plants, and a fountain. They also helped to lay the groundwork for raised garden beds where the swimming pool used to be located.  In only a few hours, one wheelbarrow after another, the volunteers built an area that contributes to the well-being of an entire community. Residents will be able to work together to grow healthy food in the garden and they now have an outdoor environment that is inspiring and fun to utilize, and free of mud. The residents are thrilled!

The transformed outdoor social area!

The transformed outdoor social area!

There’s more…

Whole Foods volunteers also helped throughout the week to assemble furniture and set-up households for homeless veterans at Treaty Oaks and Pecan Springs Commons, and for a homeless family at Glen Oaks Corner. With team work, a few hours of time, and each patient turn of a screwdriver, the Whole Foods volunteers literally transformed a house into a home for homeless individuals and families. The impact of the work they accomplished is huge. Individuals with little else than a backpack now have a bed to sleep in and everything they need to cook a meal.

Volunteers from Whole Foods Global Volunteer Week 2013.

Volunteers from Whole Foods Global Volunteer Week 2013.

We are forever grateful for the hard work of Whole Foods volunteers and for their continued support of our programs. Many lives were positively impacted by the Whole Foods Global Volunteer Week, and as the photos show, the results are beautiful!

As the story of the Whole Foods volunteers illustrates, it only takes a commitment and a small amount of time to make a positive impact on the lives of people in need.  Volunteers play a crucial role in the support of a non-profit organization like Green Doors. There are many ways to give back to the community, and there is no better time to get started than now!

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Allison Scharf

Allison was brought on as Data Manager in October 2012, after working for over a year as Office Manager. Prior to joining the Green Doors team, Allison spent four years at the Real Estate Council of Austin as Director of Events and Administration. There she was responsible for coordinating volunteer events, soliciting sponsorships, and managing committee activities. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Foods from Texas State University and enjoys talking to people about nutrition and fitness-related issues. Allison was born and raised in Texas and is thrilled at any opportunity to spend time outside in her garden or on her bicycle.

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