Painting promise: volunteers brighten up Georgetown pallet village

GEORGETOWN, Del. – Volunteers picking up paint brushes Thursday, spreading cheer at the Georgetown pallet village for homeless individuals.

Making an Impact

“We’re really kind of taking this from a more sterile kind of institution look to a beautiful and dignified place to live, and to transition back into that stable life,” said event organizer, Kathleen Schell.

Schell says over the past several months, watching the village come together has been inspiring. It welcomed its first residents in January. And, the impacts made on those who live there, reach even further, she says.

“It’s 30 individual cabins that have electricity and heat. They are fully equipped for people to stay in them safely and securely,” said Schell. “Most of these people were previously living in the woods. Once they moved into the pallet village in January, they have received wellness services and job training services. I’m very happy to report that about 25 people have found jobs, 15 people are in wellness recovery, and eight people have actually gone to more permanent housing.”

Community navigators work with village residents to connect them with those resources. “[The residents] are so grateful and so ready to work on getting back onto the path to a stable life,” said Schell. “They are receiving services every day that allow them to have sober recovery, wellness recovery, medical services, financial services.”

“Brighten peoples’ spirits,”

Now, all that’s needed is a fresh coat of vibrant colors, and some plants to brighten up the atmosphere.

“To be able to just be in a safe, secure place – where they can focus on getting well, getting healthy, getting job training, getting back to being a productive member of society – it means the world to them,” said Schell.

Volunteers will be back at it Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organizers say anyone can come out and lend a hand.

“I think we’ll be back tomorrow, help some more, make it look more pretty,” said volunteer Jack Huss.

“I think it’s easy to get discouraged when you’re looking for work, and trying to get your life back together,” added volunteer Elaina Best, who says she is happy to help. “Having a lot of color around like this will brighten peoples’ spirits and make it a better place for them to be every day.”