M. Carolyn Singleton stood proudly atop her porch on the morning of Jan. 14, 2020 on Collingswood in Detroit. She welcomed visitors and media to see the brand new windows Wallside Windows installed through her participation with the Detroit-based non-profit Life Remodeled.
M. Carolyn Singleton shares her Life Remodeled story with the media on Tuesday.
“This is the beginning of my dream to revamp my home,” she said. “(The installers) were so quick. We didn’t even feel the cold. They are so efficient.”
M. Carolyn Singleton shares her Life Remodeled story with the media on Tuesday.
Singleton’s home was one of 15 in the neighborhood to receive new windows this week. Wallside Windows has committed to donate about 75 windows per year to the project and those windows and installation come free of charge to the designated homeowners.
It often inspires more renovation for participating homeowners like Singleton – and their neighbors. The next project will be the two bedroom windows upstairs,” she said.
Wallside Windows and Life Remodeled made it possible for the Singletons to stay in their family home, which is being remodeled.
Singleton has been working to renovate her home since 2006. She also raised her three girls in the home.
“My girls were in high school,” she said. “I kept my children in their school. I stayed in the community. And I am glad I did.”
Life Remodeled is a non-profit dedicated to the revitalization of Detroit. The organization activates volunteers and community partners – including Wallside Windows - to help improve neighborhoods in Detroit that show two things – a significant need and radical hope.
Since 2017, Life Remodeled has focused on the neighborhood surrounding Durfee Elementary-Middle School, Central High School and the Durfee Innovation Society in Detroit. That’s Singleton’s neighborhood. And she’s proud of it. She said she wants to create a sense of community there and has long been working to do so.
Fifteen homes in Central Detroit were part of this year’s Wallside Windows and Life Remodeled partnership.
It’s the sort of story that resonates with the Wallside Windows staff. The family-owned company was founded in Detroit and has been partnering with Life Remodeled for the past three years. In that time, Chief of Staff Adam Blanck said they have installed 350 windows for homeowners in the Durfee neighborhood.
“This is such a great example of how Chris Lambert and Life Remodeled plant their flag and work to improve a neighborhood,” said Adam Blanck, chief of staff of Wallside Windows. “We like giving back windows and making the neighborhood a little better.”
And that’s just what they’re doing – one window, one house, one street at a time, he noted.
“This house is 94 years old,” Singleton said. “It was built in 1926 the same year as my father. I like how (Wallside) works with the homeowner. I am not a contractor but I wanted to preserve the woodwork. So, they started from the outside. Already we can feel the difference.”
Homeowners who receive new Wallside windows feel a difference in the heat and efficiency of their homes. According to Rick Torri, home repair project manager for Life Remodeled, that also inspires them to make even more improvements.
“I feel blessed to be part of it,” said Torri. “My partner Tom and I go with Adam and the installers to measure the windows. We go into their homes, say prayers with folks. I really feel blessed to be a part of it.”
For Torri, a retired architect. It’s a worthy cause in a neighborhood he truly cares about.
“I grew up in Detroit,” he said. “I went to Cass Tech High School. It just feels good to pay it forward. You can see a difference in the neighborhood.”
Learn more about Life Remodeled, volunteer or donate to a project at http://liferemodeled.com.
Interested in new replacement windows? Contact at Wallside Windows for a free estimate today at https://wallsidewindows.com/estimate/ or call 1-800- 521-7800.
Fifteen homeowners will receive new Wallside Windows this week.
