Time and time again, we see it: a new family walks into their home at Joshua Station for the first time, and tears start flowing.

“The way she looked at her room was like she won the lottery,” said Mary Ann, Family Advocate, as she opened a room for a new family.

“The children were so excited they ran to their beds and took their shoes off and lay there.”

“Is this… everything… only for me?” a new resident asked in shock to her Family Advocate, Maria. Though Joshua Station may exist in a repurposed motel, we do not run it as such. Each room is customized with the needs and preferences of the incoming family, and no two rooms look alike.

Lovely personalized touches, specific to the family, adorn every part of their rooms.

When a family’s time in our program comes to an end (typically after two years), our graduates are welcome to take all their furniture and furnishings with them. We then start the process again— painting walls, building furniture, selecting bedding, folding towels, organizing silverware-as we lovingly prepare for the next family. This beautiful rhythm repeats itself in a process we call “Spruce-a-Room” or SAR for short.

In a typical year, SAR might happen a dozen times. But 2025 and 2026 have not been typical years.

You may recall that last year’s construction project prevented us from bringing in new residents as we rebuilt our second-floor walkways and stairs. When that project wrapped up, we hit the ground running. So far in 2026, we’ve spruced 16 (!) rooms with another 8 to go!

But, how?! How is it possible to provide this level of intention and personalization to every space?

Through our incredible volunteers, of course! Each SAR is assigned to a team of volunteers, and that team is responsible for everything from paint to pillows. Our teams come to us with a passion to make a tangible difference— is there anything more tangible than a home? And they layer that passion with an eye for design and attention to detail. Our SAR teams come from a variety of places-church small groups, families, interior designers, local businesses, realtors, Girl Scouts troops, Joshua Station alumni, and more.

At Mile High Ministries, we believe in Housing that Heals. Sometimes that healing starts with a

rocking chair draped in a Winnie-the-Pooh blanket. Or Marvel shower curtains, night lights, and a parent’s favorite perfume.

For families coming out of homelessness, these little details are often a shocking delight. Sarah’s compelling story is just one example. That delight begins with an SAR team who chooses to pour out love, one gallon of paint at a time, until a whole room is filled with dignity, beauty, and belonging.

Shana Waldinger, Volunteer and Events Specialist