Episode Transcript
[00:00:01] Speaker A: Welcome to Life Reviewed, a podcast by Hope House Colorado where we invite you into conversation with teenage moms and the people who champion them. These stories of struggle, overcoming and perspective shifts will challenge you to review life as you've known it. One story, one person, one conversation at a time. Oh, I thought I knew the kind of life that I would need.
[00:00:28] Speaker B: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to Life Reviewed. My name is Jenny Macias, the director of partnerships at Hope House Colorado.
Today I am so excited to have one of our absolute favorite nonprofit partners here to interview with me. Her name is Barrett Miller from Knock Knock Angels. Barrett, welcome.
[00:00:52] Speaker A: Thank you. Thank you so much for having me.
[00:00:55] Speaker B: Yeah.
Barrett, I'm so, so, so excited for you to share with all of our listeners today the incredible work that you do. I like. I'm excited for everyone to learn about what you do and just the story of how we got connected and just the blessing that you are to our teen moms. So can you share a little bit about what is Knock Knock Angels and what do you all do?
[00:01:21] Speaker A: Absolutely. So Knock Knock Angels is a 501c3 charity that people, families, individuals coming out of homelessness, an opportunity to furnish their homes and make their apartment condo a home that's reflective of who they are.
A big goal of Knock Knock Angels in our partnerships is to restore and a person's dignity and give them back their self confidence.
I think when you've been homeless or even close to it, it's a very difficult position emotionally.
[00:02:04] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:02:04] Speaker A: And I think we can all agree how important our homes are. You know, that's where we all go to rest and restore. And it's your safe place. Yeah. Raise our children and you, you know, you need a place that really feels like home. And so that's what we do. We take in gently used furniture and household items and store them and then put plan for each individual as we meet them.
We also do what we call random acts of kindness.
So most of our work with Hope House is our full makeovers where we go in and do the whole shebang.
[00:02:42] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:02:43] Speaker A: But we also do these random acts of kindness.
We work with referred clients from lots of different organizations and sometimes those caseworkers will reach out and ask if they can just come and pick, pick up some items that they need.
[00:03:01] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:03:02] Speaker A: So we do a lot of those.
I'll be doing one this afternoon for an Afghan refugee family.
[00:03:09] Speaker B: Oh, wow.
[00:03:11] Speaker A: So those are the two ways we help.
Our partnership with Hope House is mostly focused on the main makeovers.
[00:03:18] Speaker B: Right. And fills a huge need. Like anytime someone's moving.
I remember first time moving into my place, and it just like there's this relief of, like, I have a place, but now, oh, my gosh, I need all this stuff to fill this place that I have. Right.
So you feel such a huge, huge need in the community for people, and it's such a blessing. So, Barrett, how did you get connected to Knock Knock Angels?
[00:03:46] Speaker A: So my dear friend Scott Matthias and I co founded Knock Knock Angels.
We had been doing some missions work down to Mexico when Covid hit, and we weren't able to do that any longer.
And I remember looking at Scott saying, you know, there's so much need right here in Colorado.
[00:04:09] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:04:10] Speaker A: Surely there's something we can put our efforts into.
And lo and behold, he saw a video of Vicki Lobo in California with a charity called Knock Knock Angels, and she was doing these makeovers. And Scott showed me the video and I said, we can do that.
[00:04:31] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:04:33] Speaker A: He's a realtor. We own a moving company.
The pieces just fit together like a dream.
[00:04:39] Speaker B: It feels like a God thing.
[00:04:40] Speaker A: Oh, my gosh, what a perfect fit.
[00:04:42] Speaker B: Like, we both have these connections and resources.
[00:04:45] Speaker A: It was a God thing. And so I said to Scott, you know, do you think Vicki would consult with us?
[00:04:50] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:04:51] Speaker A: So we don't have to reinvent the wheel.
[00:04:53] Speaker B: Totally.
[00:04:54] Speaker A: Well, Vicki's dream was to have a Knock Knock Angels in every state.
So we were the first sub chapter of Knock Knock Angels.
[00:05:03] Speaker B: I didn't know that.
[00:05:04] Speaker A: Yes. Yes. And now there is a Knock Knock Angels in Washington state, Colorado and California.
[00:05:10] Speaker B: That's amazing.
[00:05:11] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:05:12] Speaker B: How long have you been here in Colorado?
[00:05:14] Speaker A: We just completed our third year.
[00:05:16] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:05:17] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:05:18] Speaker B: And do you know how many makeovers you've done total, you think, in those three years?
[00:05:23] Speaker A: I believe the one we just did for your mom last week was 53 or 54.
[00:05:29] Speaker B: Wow, that is amazing.
[00:05:32] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:05:33] Speaker B: 54 homes that you have fully furnished and.
[00:05:36] Speaker A: Yeah. And we probably have 70 plus random acts of kindness.
[00:05:41] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. Oh, my gosh. That's amazing.
[00:05:43] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:05:44] Speaker B: So how did you get connected to Hope House? How did you find us?
[00:05:49] Speaker A: So our first year, we started in October, and we did two veterans in on our opening opening day.
[00:05:58] Speaker B: Right.
[00:06:00] Speaker A: For Knock Knock Angels.
And then we decided we should probably think about doing something for the holidays.
So I contacted a friend of mine who has done a charity helping single moms.
And I have. I had volunteered for her extensively and thought she would know who we could reach out to because we wanted to do two Christmas makeovers. So that would include furnishing the home Providing a Christmas tree and gifts.
And so she gave me several names. Help House was one of them. And I sat down one afternoon, was late in the day, and started making phone calls and explained who we were, what we were trying to do, and asking who within that organization I should try to reach out to.
And I left several messages and then called Hope House. And the gallon that answered the phone said, well, you need to talk to Jenny, and she's in a meeting, but I know she's going to call you back.
Are you going to be available still today?
I said, yep, that's my cell phone. Just have her call. And I hung up. And I really didn't think I was going to hear from anybody because I had been hitting brick walls for at least an hour solid.
So I hung up and did some emails. And lo and behold, you called me.
And you were pretty excited, as I recall.
[00:07:27] Speaker B: Oh, yeah. It's like, is this too good to be true?
[00:07:30] Speaker A: This can't be real. I think that is what you said to me. And I said, no, it's for real.
So you said you would get back to me with a name of somebody we could help.
And we did. We helped a mom with two children.
[00:07:47] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:07:48] Speaker A: And one of our favorite makeovers, that one came out really nice.
[00:07:52] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:07:53] Speaker A: And sweet family.
Yeah. So, yeah, that kind of started our partnership.
[00:07:58] Speaker B: Totally. I remember, yeah. Like, hearing this woman from Knock Knock Angels called, and here's what they do. I'm like, for free. Like, they're just gonna do that for our moms for free. Because for, you know, years, our moms, like, we're helping moms move into their first place. And then the next challenge, like we said, was like, okay, we've got them the place. Like, this is the first big step.
They don't have enough money to furnish their new home. So how do we help them? And so sometimes it's reaching out to some of our donors of who maybe has a couch or a bed or whatever, but then not having enough staff manpower to put it all together or go, someone's got a truck that can maybe go pick the stuff up for the mom and bring it. And so it just feels like this hodgepodge, trying to get them what they need over a period of several weeks. And so to hear that you would just come in and, like, top to bottom, like, furnish a mom's home when they moved in, I'm like, this sounds, like, too good to be true. Like, what's the catch? She's just doing this for free. And so you were Just this, like, angel.
Perfect name. Right. Knock Knock Angel. This angel that came into our life at Hope House as this amazing partner that fills this huge need. It's just this, like, miraculous partnership that we just love so much. And I, for you all listening. Like, I wish that you. If you haven't seen. Seen their makeovers, like, we have some posted on, like, I think, our Hope House. Or you can go to the Knock Knock Angels Facebook page. But, I mean, it's not just furniture. Like, they.
There's stuff hung up on the walls. There's pictures of our moms with their kids in frames on the walls. It's like, every detail is just done when the mom walks in the door, so it just feels like home. And we cry every time.
[00:09:48] Speaker A: It is an emotional experience, for sure. And I know it can be overwhelming for the rec.
[00:09:53] Speaker B: Totally.
[00:09:54] Speaker A: And oftentimes we get text messages after we leave.
[00:09:59] Speaker B: Oh, sure. Because they're just like, in.
[00:10:01] Speaker A: I didn't see this. I didn't see that. Oh, my gosh. I love this, you know, because it is a lot of details. But I think that piece, to me is one of the most important pieces of what we do, is that it's individual to each recipient.
[00:10:20] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:10:20] Speaker A: Not what I call Knock Knock Angels in a box. Like, that's not what we're doing.
[00:10:25] Speaker B: Right, Right.
[00:10:27] Speaker A: And, you know, your needs may be different from my needs. It's different from her needs or his needs.
So each thing we do is so specific to that person. Their children, their needs. And we have just loved our Hope House moms. I think your program is so specific to the girls and what they need that to see to. To understand their story, each one. Where they've been, what they've been through and what they're trying to achieve.
[00:11:01] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:11:02] Speaker A: They're such strong young women.
[00:11:04] Speaker B: They are.
[00:11:05] Speaker A: That it's really an honor and a pleasure to be able to help them in this way.
And.
And I think the benefits to them, their children, are kind of hard to measure.
[00:11:20] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:11:21] Speaker A: But, you know, I mean, just practically speaking, to go out and try to furnish an apartment, and today more than ever.
[00:11:29] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. Yeah.
[00:11:31] Speaker A: Even with used furniture is so expensive. So expensive.
And, you know, we're getting down to, do you need silverware? Do you need pots and pans? Do you need a shower curtain or a shower caddy? I mean, we're getting really specific items.
[00:11:46] Speaker B: You are. Yeah.
[00:11:46] Speaker A: On our list.
And I think there'd be no way these young women could feed their children, clothe their children, have a car, pay for Insurance and do all these things and be able to provide this home.
[00:12:00] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:12:01] Speaker A: And I always say to. When I'm out speaking, just in general, on Knock Knock Angels, when someone comes, will you come and tell us what you do?
So most of the people in the audience are potential donors of. In some way. Of course. Um, I always say, you know, I think all of us, no matter where you are in life, live with a certain amount of abundance.
[00:12:24] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:12:25] Speaker A: And there are things within our homes that we don't really need.
[00:12:28] Speaker B: Yep. Yep.
[00:12:30] Speaker A: That are so valuable in these situations where we're putting together a home for someone else.
And almost most people react to that very positively.
[00:12:41] Speaker B: And.
[00:12:41] Speaker A: Oh, my gosh, yes. I'm going to go home and clean up my kitchen. What do you need? What are you looking for? You know, and. And I do it my.
Sometimes I'm just, you know, cooking. And I think, holy cow, I have three of these.
[00:12:52] Speaker B: Right. Why do I need.
[00:12:53] Speaker A: Yeah, I can give one to Knock Knock Angels. I don't need this. Right.
[00:12:56] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:12:57] Speaker A: And so it is. We. We tend to forget.
It's easy when you've lived in a home for 15 years or more.
[00:13:06] Speaker B: You know, you just don't accumulate all this stuff. Right.
[00:13:09] Speaker A: You don't realize what you have and how much it could mean to someone else who has nothing.
[00:13:14] Speaker B: Right.
[00:13:15] Speaker A: Yep. And.
And that's probably the other side of the coin that I'm up against all the time. And people wanting to donate.
Sometimes people want to donate things that really aren't useful anymore. They just need to go away.
[00:13:31] Speaker B: Right.
[00:13:31] Speaker A: But they want to donate them. And I've. I cannot tell you how many times I've heard something is better than nothing.
And. Well, on a certain level, that's certainly probably true.
That's not what we're trying to achieve.
[00:13:45] Speaker B: Right.
[00:13:45] Speaker A: And so we're really picky about what.
[00:13:47] Speaker B: We take in, which is also why we love you. I mean, one of our values at Hope House is excellent environment.
We want our moms to see how worthy they are.
[00:13:58] Speaker A: Right.
[00:13:59] Speaker B: You are worthy of the best, most beautiful things, which is why our building always looks so beautiful. And we want them to know, like, you deserve to be in these beautiful spaces. And. Which is also why this is such a good partnership. If you have the same belief of, you deserve this beautiful home with beautiful things.
And, yes, something's better than nothing, but these people deserve really good things, too.
[00:14:23] Speaker A: Right.
We are trying to lift them up.
[00:14:26] Speaker B: Yes. And empower them.
[00:14:28] Speaker A: Yes. And I would not put something in a makeover that I would not be willing to have in my own home. And that's kind of the standard.
[00:14:37] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:14:37] Speaker A: I love that. And so you know, where those are the kind of donations we're looking for. A sofa with a chewed up arm from a dog is not what we're looking for.
[00:14:48] Speaker B: Right.
[00:14:50] Speaker A: Furniture that needs to be reupholstered or that's, you know, got a broken leg or broken drawer. Not what we're looking for.
[00:14:57] Speaker B: Right.
[00:14:59] Speaker A: I do hope that one day I have some retired folks that just want to redo furniture and, you know, chalk, paint, neat pieces.
Yeah. I have that a wish in my back pocket all the time.
It. It does get a little complicated because we would have to pick up furniture, take it to somebody, and then pick it back up and take it to storage. So it's.
[00:15:21] Speaker B: Right.
[00:15:22] Speaker A: It's a lot of team of people.
[00:15:24] Speaker B: That can own that.
[00:15:25] Speaker A: But I just know that one day I'm going to find those people.
[00:15:29] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:15:30] Speaker A: And then I could take in some things that maybe just need a little love and redoing, but could be so neat.
[00:15:35] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah. Because I have the right team that just is like, you're refurbishing team.
[00:15:40] Speaker A: Find these unique things. Yeah. Who have donated refurbished furniture. That's so cute. And the girls love it.
[00:15:47] Speaker B: They do. Yeah.
[00:15:48] Speaker A: And. But, yeah, we don't have that yet, but we're always looking. So if you're out there and you're listening, please contact me.
[00:15:55] Speaker B: Before we go today, we will make sure that you have all of the contact information to reach out to. Knock knock angels, if that is you.
[00:16:02] Speaker A: Yep, yep. That's important.
[00:16:04] Speaker B: Yes.
So, Barrett, talk to me a little bit about your process when we. And so for us, like, just to back up for a second, we.
We can't do this for every single one of our moms. We have a lot of moms. And so this for us is a great way to reward our moms, our hope ass moms who've worked really, really hard.
And so when we send a mom to you, it's a mom that we've, like, handpicked who is just like, she's worked her butt off. She's a phenomenal mom and is so deserving of this incredible reward that's now gotten her own place, but just deserves this. This massive makeover.
Talk to me about what is your process once we connect a mom to you.
[00:16:47] Speaker A: Yeah. So you guys reach out when you have one and give me her name, her contact information, and a little brief bit about her story. Just so I kind of have an idea. And then I reach out to Her I do request that they're, they have access to their new place. So even if they're not living there, but they can get in.
So sometimes there is a delay which is sort of, I'm trying to figure out a way to make this better. But you know, they, a lot of times they've moved in and they're living with nothing in these apartments when I get to go meet them. But it's important for me to meet them in the space.
[00:17:27] Speaker B: Totally. Well, you have to see what can fit.
[00:17:29] Speaker A: And yeah, I need to understand the space, how they need to use it.
And it's also important for me to see what they do have. Sometimes they have some things and sometimes they have very little. So we've, we've kind of helped them in all different ways as far as what they might already have.
But then I need to know too. If they have things that they want me to use, I have to incorporate that into what I'm going to bring. Right. So there's lots of reasons to meet them in their space, but I usually take about 30 minutes to get to know them, see the space, take measurements and then just kind of go, go through.
I always say, I know, I'm sorry, it's kind of like drinking from a fire hose. But I'm going to rapid fire questions to get my list and to kind of get a feel.
A lot of times there has to be some reading between the lines.
When these girls have lived in spaces that were not theirs, they, they're not used to putting their touches on it. So when I start asking, well, what do you like? What's your favorite color?
You know, do you have a Pinterest board of things you like for interiors?
Sometimes they're really great. Oh, here, look at my phone and show me a bunch of things that helps me really zoom in on what.
[00:18:49] Speaker B: Lifestyle kind of is.
[00:18:50] Speaker A: Sometimes they're like, I don't have a clue. I like lots of colors I like.
And so it, then it's kind of like, oh my gosh, I just have to pray a ton.
[00:19:01] Speaker B: Well, and for them, right? They've probably never had the opportunity to dream of. Oh, I, I get to design my own space and I have these wants of what I want that to look like because that's never been something they've had the opportunity to do before. So this is a new someone asking me these questions is like, oh, I get to choose now.
[00:19:21] Speaker A: And I've even gotten to the point because I've been doing this now for three years, right, that when I Talk to them on the phone. I try to get them to start that process.
[00:19:30] Speaker B: Great.
[00:19:30] Speaker A: Ide.
[00:19:31] Speaker B: Now you get to start dreaming or thinking about.
[00:19:33] Speaker A: Thinking about if you had a million dollars and you could go furnish your apartment, what would it look like?
[00:19:39] Speaker B: I love that.
[00:19:41] Speaker A: But sometimes it's still just really difficult for them.
[00:19:44] Speaker B: They're like, you know, natural.
[00:19:45] Speaker A: They'll have like one picture.
[00:19:49] Speaker B: Like, I'm going to need a maybe.
[00:19:51] Speaker A: Everything in this picture, you know. And I'm like, well, which parts do you like?
So I really feel like the Lord leads me because I have, like I said, three years doing this, 50 some makeovers. I have never had somebody say, oh, yeah, it's nice, it's okay. Oh, gosh, you know, most of the time the reaction is, oh my gosh. The thing we hear, I would say 99 of the time is, I could never have dreamed it would be this nice.
[00:20:23] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:20:24] Speaker A: They say that every single time they.
[00:20:27] Speaker B: I've heard that. And all the ones I've been there, the moms are like, they are, they're totally kind of in shock because it's way better than they even imagined it could be. Yeah. Or dreamed.
[00:20:37] Speaker A: Even the girls that have been on Facebook have seen the other makeovers, seen our before and after pictures, they will still say, yeah, oh my gosh, this is nicer than I could have ever dreamed.
[00:20:46] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:20:47] Speaker A: So that's a huge, you know, feel good for me that I've done something that they will enjoy.
[00:20:54] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, and you're so talented. And I'm always so impressed at how talented you are bringing everything together and looking at what you have in your storage space and then bringing all these little details together with the style. Like, you are very gifted. This is a God given gift that you have. That is so cool to see you get to use and bless these moms.
[00:21:15] Speaker A: Well, thank you. I, I really, I, I cannot tell you.
I can't state emphatically enough that this is a God thing.
[00:21:25] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:21:26] Speaker A: He leads me.
I get thoughts in my head and I'm like, I have no idea where that came from, but that must be what I'm supposed to be looking for.
And so I really feel like this is.
He has me where I'm supposed to be and I'm doing what he's asking me to do. And as long as I continue to do that, I will be able to continue to bless these moms with homes that reflect who they are.
Because like I said, sometimes I get very little information. Right.
Some girls are great.
You know, I get lots of information but most of the time, it's little to very little.
[00:22:02] Speaker B: Right. Like, here's kind of my favorite color.
[00:22:05] Speaker A: Yeah. And I kind of like this, and I kind of like that. And that's it. And then I have to put together this design plan.
But I love it. I absolutely love it. And it is.
It's just a joy to do.
[00:22:21] Speaker B: Awesome.
[00:22:21] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:22:23] Speaker B: So we're going to take a short break, commercial break, and when we get back, we're going to talk a little bit more about Knock Knock angels and our partnership.
[00:22:31] Speaker C: Hi, everyone. It's Celeste, development coordinator at Hope House Colorado. We have an awesome group of 233 champions called our Bedrock Builders, who donate monthly gifts, and we would love for you to join. This group is super special to our moms because it provides them stable support through an income stream that they know they can always count on. If you'd like to become a monthly donor, please visit hopehousecolorado.org donate now and make your recurring donation today. Thank you so much for empowering our teen moms.
[00:23:02] Speaker B: Welcome back.
So, okay, so you gave us a little bit of your process of when we give you a mom, you meet with the mom, you kind of try to get some inspiration from the mom of what she's looking for as best you can.
I love that it's such a God thing of like God giving you.
[00:23:19] Speaker A: You get to use your gifts, but.
[00:23:21] Speaker B: God giving you these ideas.
[00:23:22] Speaker A: I can tell you story crazy stories about things that have happened from the. From the interview process to the actual install process.
[00:23:30] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. So what's your favorite story? What's. What's one that comes to mind when you say that?
[00:23:33] Speaker A: So I can't remember if it was a Hope House mom or a veteran that we were helping, but we needed a crib and a changing table, and I had neither in storage.
So we are not too proud to beg. So we will put out ask lists on Facebook or emails to, you know, people we know, follow us and say, hey, we're helping. So. And so here's what we're missing.
So I had done that and. Or actually, I think Scott had done that. And we got someone who said, hey, I have a crib, but I don't have a mattress.
And I actually did have a crib mattress in storage. Perfect.
[00:24:16] Speaker B: That's the one thing that's new problem.
[00:24:19] Speaker A: I've got that.
So I met this gal's husband at a restaurant parking lot, got the crib, and he said, I don't know why she sent this, but she sent a changing pad for a changing table, but not a mattress for the crib. And I said, well, I knew I wasn't getting a mattress for the crib, and the changing pad's fine. I'll just put. Put it in storage. Thank you so much.
[00:24:42] Speaker B: Right.
[00:24:44] Speaker A: So. Got this beautiful white crib.
So a couple days later, a friend messages and says, I don't have a crib, but I have a changing table.
And I said, that's great.
We need a changing table, right? And I said, just for fun, what color is it? And she said, oh, it's white. Perfect. That's perfect. That's what I did. And she says, but I don't have a changing pad. And I said, that's okay. I've got that.
So, you know, it's just crazy. And I mean, there's so many stories like that where it just comes together, and it's from. You know, I might do a makeover, and 75 different people probably donated things for that makeover.
But they all come together like they were meant to be right in this house. Like, they all were together all this time. I love that, you know, and they come from everywhere.
I needed a.
I needed a wood propeller for an air force veteran.
[00:25:40] Speaker B: Oh, cool.
[00:25:41] Speaker A: I was.
[00:25:42] Speaker B: That's a unique thing to be looking for, for sure.
[00:25:44] Speaker A: I just had this thought come to mind, and this young man, it was like pulling teeth to get him to tell me anything.
[00:25:51] Speaker B: Oh, gosh. Yeah.
[00:25:52] Speaker A: He really was struggling emotionally with all of the things in his life that had happened, and he had a nearly empty apartment, and I just kind of had a visualization for what his family room, living room situation needed to look like. And I'm like, man, a wood airplane propeller would be so cool hanging on that wall over the tv.
So I sent the list to Scott, and he calls me the next morning, and he says, barrett, did you really meet, like, propeller? Like a.
[00:26:24] Speaker B: Like, what airplane? Is this for real on this list?
[00:26:27] Speaker A: And I said, yeah, that's exactly what I'm looking for. Leave it on the list. He's like, okay.
So very next morning, 6:30 in the morning, I get a text message from a high school friend that I have not spoken to in probably 10 or 15 years.
[00:26:42] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:26:43] Speaker A: He lives in Texas.
And he says, I have your airplane propeller. And I said, that's great, but you're in Nacogdoches, Texas, and I'm in Sedalia, Colorado, So that's really not helpful. Do you mean you still have it in storage here in Colorado, Right? He's like, no, it's in my storage here. I'll take a picture of it. If you want it, I'll send it to you.
I'm like, yeah, I need it by Thursday.
[00:27:06] Speaker B: Right. Like, I need it.
[00:27:07] Speaker A: This is Monday morning.
[00:27:08] Speaker B: Right?
[00:27:09] Speaker A: He says, yeah, that's all right. I'll FedEx it to you.
So, like, 20 minutes later, he sends me a picture of the propeller. It is exactly what I was looking for.
[00:27:17] Speaker B: Oh, it was like, exactly what you pictured?
[00:27:19] Speaker A: Exactly what I pictured.
[00:27:20] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh.
[00:27:21] Speaker A: And I said, oh, my gosh, yes, please. And he. Half hour later, he had a picture of it all boxed up and on a counter at FedEx, and I had it two days later.
[00:27:30] Speaker B: That is incredible.
[00:27:32] Speaker A: It just God things.
[00:27:33] Speaker B: I love. I love the God stories because, like, I mean, we have so many of those at Hope House, too. But it's so fun to hear other organizations have that same. It's like when you're doing the work that God has called you to do, it's incredible. All these just, like, God stories that happen all the time of, like, I couldn't dream this up. Like, this is. This all is God.
[00:27:52] Speaker A: You know, the first year we were doing Knock Knock Angels, I would get really kind of anxious and stressed out when I didn't have things I thought I needed.
But it always worked out.
[00:28:02] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:28:02] Speaker A: Whether it was I got what I thought I needed or not, it didn't matter. It always worked out.
[00:28:07] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:28:08] Speaker A: And so I learned very quickly, just ride it out. Like you're doing what you're supposed to be doing.
You will have what you're supposed to have for each of these individuals.
And I don't stress out anymore.
[00:28:23] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:28:23] Speaker A: If I don't have something that I thought I needed, it was my thought, not God's. Yeah. And so it just all works out.
[00:28:30] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:28:31] Speaker A: That's amazing. So I.
Yeah. I feel very strongly that I'm where I'm supposed to be.
[00:28:37] Speaker B: That's so cool.
So move in. Day.
What do those days look like? So you meet with the mom, and then you are, you know, kind of pulling together all these things.
[00:28:48] Speaker A: Yeah. Once I. Once I've met with them, and I know how extensive the list is and how much on that list is already sitting in storage or not. Because, like I said, I'm not too proud to beg.
[00:28:58] Speaker B: Right.
[00:28:59] Speaker A: So if. If I need a crib or a bunk, like last week, I needed bunk beds for your mom, and I did not have them.
[00:29:06] Speaker B: Right.
[00:29:07] Speaker A: So I went home, and when I have downtime, I sit on Facebook Marketplace, and I have a letter typed up on My computer and I just send them a little message that explains who we are and what we do. And if they don't sell the item, would they be willing to donate it, happy to come pick it up and give them a receipt for their taxes?
[00:29:26] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:29:27] Speaker A: And you'd be surprised. I mean, I get some nasty responses and that's okay.
[00:29:31] Speaker B: Really?
[00:29:32] Speaker A: Yes.
They think it's a scam and I'm.
[00:29:35] Speaker B: Like, well, in this day, I guess that makes sense.
[00:29:38] Speaker A: Very clearly you didn't click on the link.
[00:29:40] Speaker B: Right.
[00:29:40] Speaker A: Taking you to our Facebook page and you would have seen where I am.
[00:29:43] Speaker B: We are.
[00:29:44] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah.
But that's okay. And, but oftentimes within a matter of a day or two, I'm able to get what we're missing.
[00:29:54] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:29:54] Speaker A: And so I run around with my car or I send Scott and the guys with the pickup truck and we pick up what we're missing. But I need to know, like, for instance, if I know I have a lot of begging I need to do, then it might push the night out. Yeah. But most of the time I just set the date based on their schedule and our moving company schedule.
And then whatever I'm able to get is what we're supposed to have.
[00:30:22] Speaker B: Right.
[00:30:23] Speaker A: And I don't push it out very much anymore because I know it all comes together.
So, yeah. Install day is exciting.
I get up at the crack of dawn, get to the yard at 7:30 to meet the guys to load the truck. Because most of the moms we're helping, we're way down south.
[00:30:42] Speaker B: Right?
[00:30:42] Speaker A: You guys are way up north.
[00:30:43] Speaker B: Yes, we are.
[00:30:44] Speaker A: Not most of your moms, most of the veterans, most of the individuals we help for the most part, I'd say 90% or better are all going to be the north end of town.
So it's usually a 45 minute to an hour drive for us to get there. So we got to start early so we can get loaded.
[00:31:00] Speaker B: Right.
[00:31:00] Speaker A: We go and we show up and we have a team of volunteers. I should say tell you that everything Knock Knock angels does is 100% volunteer based. We do not have a single paid individual.
[00:31:13] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:31:14] Speaker A: So we have a team of volunteers for each makeover.
And I usually, I, I base that number on how much work there is to be done. And you, you hope house gals have helped us several times. That's been fun.
[00:31:27] Speaker B: Yeah, it has been fun.
[00:31:29] Speaker A: So I just show up, you guys provide all the labor.
[00:31:32] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:31:33] Speaker A: And I just sit back and do nothing. But we meet the individual, let them kind of meet the team, whoever's There. And then I always say, okay, now it's time for us to kick you out.
So we kick them out for about two, two and a half hours, depending on what we have to put together.
[00:31:53] Speaker B: Which is pretty incredible. To within two to two and a half hours to furnish a home top to bottom.
[00:31:59] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:32:00] Speaker B: That's incredible.
[00:32:01] Speaker A: Clean it up, reorganize the kitchen, whatever needs to be done.
Hang all the pictures, make all the beds.
[00:32:08] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. Like, I was. I've gotten to do, like, volunteer one time with you, and I was like, wow, just in that short a time.
[00:32:16] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:32:16] Speaker B: And you don't just sit back, Barrett, like, you. You. We make your vision come to life, so we need you there to be like, this is supposed to go here. This goes here. Like, it's just like. But it's so fun to be able to be a part of seeing your vision.
[00:32:27] Speaker A: I'm mostly running around, answering. Answering questions, not doing very much work. I'm just.
[00:32:32] Speaker B: You get. You're the director of, like, that goes there, this goes there, which is so fun.
[00:32:36] Speaker A: Yeah. I'm used to being a worker bee, so that has been an adjustment for me.
[00:32:40] Speaker B: Yeah, I bet.
[00:32:41] Speaker A: But I found when I try to get involved in doing the things, I just get pulled away because some.
[00:32:47] Speaker B: Everyone has questions. Exactly.
[00:32:48] Speaker A: Yeah. So I mostly just run around and answer questions. But, yeah, it's kind of like crazy chaos, and we move things 12 times before everything's finally in its place.
[00:32:58] Speaker B: Right.
[00:33:00] Speaker A: I always laugh about the rearranging because I'll be inside and people are bringing stuff from the truck, and they set it down where they think it's good, and I'm like, oh, they're going to be coming with that piece of furniture, so all of that pile has to move. So I move that. Then they come in with that furniture, and then we move it back over there. I mean, it's just like, until you get everything, all the big stuff in place, you can't do all the little things.
[00:33:22] Speaker B: Right.
[00:33:22] Speaker A: So it's just kind of a funny process, I think. But, yeah, then we have them come back and we welcome them home. And it is the best part of my day.
[00:33:32] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. Yeah.
[00:33:34] Speaker A: Yeah. It is really fun to see their reactions and.
And, you know, watch them enjoy all that hard work. Everybody just did. And so it's so fun to see.
[00:33:47] Speaker B: Not just like our mom, when they walk in to see the amazing space, but also their kids.
[00:33:51] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:33:51] Speaker B: Like, their kids may have never had their own bedroom before. And so now to get to come in and the bedroom Is like, you know, if they're super into Minnie Mouse or Spider man or whatever, like their room is designed kind of according to their personality and what they're excited about. And so it's so fun to get to see the joy in the kids eyes and the excitement.
[00:34:12] Speaker A: It is. That's probably my favorite part.
[00:34:15] Speaker B: So cute.
[00:34:16] Speaker A: I used to do interior design and I used to say if I could have made a living doing kids rooms, totally right. Kids rooms and decorating for Christmas, that probably would have been what I would have picked. But kids are. Kids are the best. It's fun. And you can have a little more design fun in there. I mean, if I had unlimited funds, the kids rooms than we do for Knock Knock Angels would probably be kind.
[00:34:40] Speaker B: Of outrageous, but so deserving for those kids.
[00:34:44] Speaker A: Yeah. It's fun to see them really identify with their space.
Yeah. Yeah.
[00:34:51] Speaker B: So at the end, one of the. I love the little touch that you give at the end after a mom has gotten to walk through and see her space furnished.
There's a special thing that you guys, you and your volunteers do at the end for the mom.
[00:35:04] Speaker A: Yeah, we, we are a faith based organization and I rely heavily on my faith. So does Scott.
And we just believe that this is what God has asked us to do. And so we bring a Bible to each makeover and we have the team sign it so they can put a message in. In the Bible for the recipient. And then somebody on the team volunteers to present that bible to the mom. And so I buy some. I buy a really nice version of the Bible that I think is easy to read.
[00:35:44] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:35:45] Speaker A: Most of the girls, I feel like that we've helped have expressed some form of their faith.
[00:35:50] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:35:51] Speaker A: In the interview process.
So I feel like this is a. Just a nice thing to do.
[00:35:58] Speaker B: Absolutely.
[00:35:58] Speaker A: And it gives them a memory of this day.
[00:36:01] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:36:01] Speaker A: You know, that, that.
[00:36:03] Speaker B: Yeah. Especially with all the little notes inside.
[00:36:05] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:36:06] Speaker B: I love. It's such a good touch.
[00:36:08] Speaker A: I love that.
Yeah, I, I like that part too. And there have been some very touching reveals where they've expressed how they feel about getting the Bible too. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's really nice.
[00:36:23] Speaker B: Do you have any favorite memories of reveals with Hope House moms?
[00:36:30] Speaker A: I cannot remember which reveal it was, but I believe it was last year.
We were doing a reveal and the gal that we were helping had a little boy and he was more excited about her seeing her room than he was about his own. Yes. He, he wanted to see his. And he was excited. But then, I mean, the second he was done Looking at everything. We need to see yours, Mom. And he was so excited. He was pointing out all the things in her room.
It was the most touching. It was so sweet.
[00:37:05] Speaker B: Like, he just got the. He. The gravity of what a big deal it is for his mom to now have this special space for herself.
That is so sweet.
[00:37:14] Speaker A: And, you know, he just kept saying, look how pretty it is, Mom. Look at this, look at that. And he was holding her hand.
I wished I could remember which mom that was, but, oh, my gosh, it was so, so sweet.
[00:37:27] Speaker B: I think I might have been at that one.
I wonder if that was Yvette.
Does that sound.
[00:37:33] Speaker A: Might have been. Maybe.
[00:37:34] Speaker B: I don't know.
[00:37:35] Speaker A: I feel like it was the one in Beyond Home. Yep.
[00:37:38] Speaker B: Yep. Yes.
[00:37:39] Speaker A: Where Monica had been.
[00:37:40] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:37:41] Speaker A: I believe it was that.
[00:37:42] Speaker B: Yes. I was at that one. I do remember that. Her son grabbing her hand and like.
[00:37:47] Speaker A: Mom, we need to see yours. Let's see yours.
[00:37:49] Speaker B: Oh, my gosh. That was.
[00:37:50] Speaker A: It was so sweet.
[00:37:52] Speaker B: Yes, that's right.
[00:37:53] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:37:54] Speaker B: Any other fun memories?
[00:37:56] Speaker A: Oh, my gosh. They're all so good.
I. I think it's more of an overall, you know, at the end, we usually ask them if there's anything they want to say.
And most of the girls will express that they could never have done this on their own.
[00:38:16] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:38:17] Speaker A: Which is that they're so grateful when you guys have sent us thank you notes that all the. That you've had a lot of the girls sign.
They will write little notes and say they love that they have a sofa that they can curl up on with their kids and watch a movie or read a book. Just things like that.
[00:38:38] Speaker B: Well, and things like that are like stuff that we can take for granted. Right, Right. Like, I've never thought that I wouldn't have a couch that I could curl up on or read a book to my kid. Right. And that is such a big deal and special thing. And this gift that you're providing.
[00:38:54] Speaker A: Right. When we try to explain to people who are wanting to learn about Knock Knock Angels what the impact actually is, those are the comments that really drive it home.
[00:39:06] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:39:07] Speaker A: That you're supplying them with a foundation that then they can build on. And it takes all the pressure off to be able to do all the things at home that we all take for granted.
[00:39:18] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:39:19] Speaker A: With our kids especially.
[00:39:21] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:39:22] Speaker A: No, it's one thing as an individual, but I think when you bring children into the picture, we all know how important and how formative these young years are.
And to have a secure, safe place is. I don't know how you can really, truly measure that.
[00:39:41] Speaker B: No, you can't.
We're so grateful for our partnership with you.
[00:39:46] Speaker A: We. It's. It's mutual. You know, I think we can't begin to do what you guys do.
[00:39:52] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:39:53] Speaker A: I don't think there's anybody that can do it all.
And there's so many pieces to this puzzle.
[00:39:59] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:39:59] Speaker A: So that these girls are supported and can raise these children to be productive members of our society.
[00:40:05] Speaker B: It takes a village, right?
[00:40:06] Speaker A: Yes. The partnership is just, I think, super important, and it's important for our donors.
I mean, we're getting things donated from people's estates.
[00:40:18] Speaker B: Right.
[00:40:19] Speaker A: And things like that. They're cherished family memories, and so there's a responsibility that goes along with that. And so to have a partnership where we know these girls are set up for success makes a huge difference.
[00:40:32] Speaker B: Right.
[00:40:33] Speaker A: And gives our donors a sense of security that we're not wasting what we're being given.
[00:40:39] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah.
Well, I also think it's transformational for the people that get to be a part of seeing the impact of.
Wow, I've been so blessed in my life, and now what I have can go and bless someone else and really transform their life. Can be transformative. To that person who.
Who gave to Knock Knock Angels and sees the impact of that, I think that's so special.
[00:41:06] Speaker A: It's. Yeah, it's a nice fit because I think, like I was saying, with the level of abundance. So if you are being given, you know, your mom's kitchen table or your grandma's, whatever, and you don't need it, and yet you don't want to throw it away, there's value to it. There's memories to it. To give it to an organization like Knock Knock Angels and then watch a makeover and see your grandma's kitchen table now going to this young mom with two kids, that's so amazing, and how excited they are to receive it.
[00:41:40] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:41:42] Speaker A: It's just a neat way to continue to use things. I think we're a throwaway society.
[00:41:49] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:41:50] Speaker A: And I'm guilty.
[00:41:51] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:41:51] Speaker A: I'm totally guilty.
[00:41:52] Speaker B: I'm not.
[00:41:53] Speaker A: Please. I'm not judging.
[00:41:54] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:41:55] Speaker A: But that's just where we are.
[00:41:57] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:41:58] Speaker A: And so to be able to reuse these items in such a positive way really helps some people in the grieving process, you know, to.
To know that their loved one would be so happy that another family was going to make memories around that same table.
[00:42:17] Speaker B: Right, right.
[00:42:18] Speaker A: Whatever it is. So it's just kind of a neat fit.
[00:42:22] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, at Hope House, as.
As the partnerships person at Hope House, I am, you know, we. We do a lot of things for our moms at Hope House, but the things that we don't do, I'm always on the hunt for partners that can help do those things that Hope House doesn't do. And so this partnership was. So it just.
It removes this huge barrier for our moms and something that Hope House doesn't have the capacity to be able to do. And so we will be forever grateful for this partnership and don't ever want it to go away. So we want to always keep you happy and are just so thrilled about this relationship.
So, Barrett, I know there's listeners out there that have now are also falling in love with Knock Knock Angels and would love to know, how do they find you? How do they support you? What support do you need?
[00:43:11] Speaker A: Awesome. Thank you. Yeah. So there's lots of ways that people can help.
There's tons of volunteer options available on so many different levels. So the best way to reach us is www.kkaco. so knock. KnockAngelsColorado okay.org Again, that's www.kkaco.org, our Facebook page. Knock Knock Angels Colorado. On Facebook, you can message us, you can comment on something, and we'll. We'll respond.
And those are probably the two easiest ways to see who we are and what we do.
[00:43:52] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:43:53] Speaker A: On our website, there's a volunteer form.
[00:43:57] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:43:59] Speaker A: If you want to make a financial donation, all of the personal items we provide on these makeovers we're buying with money that's been donated to us. So in order to do the spider man.
[00:44:10] Speaker B: Right.
[00:44:11] Speaker A: You know, bed coverings and things, we need to purchase those. So we do need financial donations as well. You can donate on our website and that those are probably the very best ways to reach us and see the different volunteer opportunities. But we'd love to have you on a makeover.
We'd love to pick up all your beautiful things you want to get rid of.
[00:44:34] Speaker B: Yep.
[00:44:34] Speaker A: I'm still looking for those people who want to refinish furniture.
[00:44:37] Speaker B: Yeah, exactly. If you're someone who loves to buy stuff. Furniture and refurbish it.
[00:44:42] Speaker A: Yeah. If you're on the side. If you're on the south end of town and want to get involved in the design process and the storing the furniture process, I'm always looking for help.
So. Yeah. There's just a lot. A lot of ways.
[00:44:55] Speaker B: Yeah. Well, if you're listening, I encourage you to go to their Facebook page and watch some of these videos of their reveals because they really are spectacular. And it's true. It's like you just. You can't picture it until you really see it. And then you see really just the shock and the joy of the recipient. Like our moms when they walk in and get to see their very first home.
[00:45:19] Speaker A: And it's exciting.
[00:45:20] Speaker B: Yeah. It's incredible. Yeah.
[00:45:22] Speaker A: Yeah. So very heartwarming.
[00:45:24] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:45:24] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:45:25] Speaker B: Well, Barrett, thank you so much for being with us today.
[00:45:28] Speaker A: Yes. Thanks for having me.
[00:45:29] Speaker B: Appreciate you making the hour and 15 minute drive up to do this what's.
[00:45:33] Speaker A: Normally not that bad dang traffic in Colorado anymore.
[00:45:38] Speaker B: Yeah. Oh, my goodness. Well, we appreciate you. Thank you so much for everyone listening. Have a great day.
[00:45:46] Speaker A: Precious soul the things I didn't know the things I didn't know about you oh, precious soul the things I didn't know the things I didn't know about you about you Ra.
