For families rebuilding after homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, illness, or a natural disaster, securing housing is an important milestone—but an empty apartment does not yet feel like home. That is where the Furniture Bank’s D.I.V.A.S. step in.
Creating Hope Through Design
Meet Pat Brewer
Design Experience with a Greater Purpose
Pat Brewer brings more than 35 years of interior decorating experience to this mission. She began her design career part-time while working as an educator. After retiring from education, she earned her interior design degree in 2010 and became a full-time designer. The D.I.V.A.S. program offered a natural way to unite her professional skills with her desire to serve others.My interest in giving back to those in need and my skill set for interior design were a perfect fit for serving as a volunteer with the D.I.V.A.S.
More Than Decoration
The team’s work goes well beyond making a home look attractive. Each design plan considers the family’s safety, comfort, dignity, and daily needs. Volunteers select appropriately sized furniture, create storage for clothing and personal belongings, provide lighting for everyday tasks, and choose durable pieces suited to the ages and needs of each family member. Every item is cleaned and sanitized before being placed in the home.A Bed
A bed means a child no longer has to sleep on the floor.A Dresser
A dresser means clothing no longer has to remain in boxes.A Dining Table
A dining table gives a family a place to share meals, complete homework, and reconnect.We don’t give a handout; we give a hand up. We are helping people who are working to improve their situations, and we can support that progress by giving them a functional home.
A Transformation Built in One Day
Families are referred to the D.I.V.A.S. by one of the Furniture Bank’s partner agencies. A coordinator visits the residence to assess the family’s needs and determine how the program can help. Once the project is approved, a team of approximately 10 to 13 volunteers is assembled.Understanding the Family
Volunteers meet with the family to learn about their preferences, favorite colors, practical needs, and hopes for their new space.Planning Each Room
Room coordinators and helpers create individual design plans, take measurements, and select furniture from the Furniture Bank’s available inventory.Preparing Every Item
Volunteers gather household and decorative items from the D.I.V.A.S. storage room and take many of them home to clean, sanitize, repair, or creatively repurpose.Installation and Reveal
On installation day, volunteers load their vehicles, bring everything to the residence, and transform the entire home—usually in a single Saturday.Watch the D.I.V.A.S. in Action
The joy on the faces and in the hearts of the people we help makes it all worthwhile. When a child tells us they have never had a bed of their own, it lets me know that I am doing exactly what I have been called to do.
Creativity, Teamwork, and Service
D.I.V.A.S. volunteers bring many different talents to each project. Some are professional interior designers, while others enjoy decorating, sewing, organizing, restoring furniture, making repairs, or simply lending a hand. Volunteers do not need design experience; they need a willingness to serve.Learn and Lead
Experienced room coordinators guide newer team members, allowing volunteers to learn and gradually take on leadership roles.Help Behind the Scenes
Opportunities include organizing the storage room, securing donations, helping with social media, and working in the D.I.V.A.S. boutique.Offer Practical Skills
Volunteers can help with repairs, restoration, sewing, decorating, organizing, or practical jobs such as hanging drapery rods.Every contribution matters. A volunteer does not have to participate in every activity to make a meaningful difference. When many people offer the time and talents they can, those individual contributions come together to create a complete home.
Giving Donated Items a New Purpose
The program also demonstrates what is possible through reuse. The Furniture Bank supplies the major furniture, while the D.I.V.A.S. contribute the volunteer labor, soft goods, household necessities, and decorative finishing touches. Together, they show families and donors how gently used items can be thoughtfully repurposed to create beautiful and cohesive interiors.Helping the D.I.V.A.S. Reach More Families
The D.I.V.A.S. currently complete approximately six to eight home transformations each year, but the need across the Houston community is much greater. Expanding the program will require more consistent volunteers, financial support for furniture deliveries, partnerships with retailers and community organizations, and additional donations of household essentials.Especially Useful Donations
- Twin- and queen-size comforters and sheets
- Pillows and towels
- Lamps and window treatments
- Dishes, glasses, and flatware
- Rugs and decorative accessories
- Funds to support furniture deliveries
6–8
complete home transformations each year
Brewer’s vision is to build a strong, sustainable corps of consistent volunteers, develop new leaders, and form partnerships with more businesses willing to donate furnishings and household goods.
You do not have to be an interior designer. You just have to have the desire to help people.