Oprah Transforms HOPE

In 2006, Oprah Winfrey’s interior design magazine, O at Home, selected the HOPE Academy for its “Good Works Makeover.” After visiting HOPE’s dark, windowless basement and learning about all the wonderful activities that HOPE offers teens, the magazine’s editors decided that the space deserved a makeover.

O at Home’s “Good Works Makeover” expert Elaine Griffin spoke to HOPE’s staff and teens to get a sense of how the space was being used. Upon hearing that the basement was everything from a meeting room to a dance studio to a lounge, Griffin’s goal was to brighten up the room while maintaining its multipurpose functionality.

The result is a beautiful, colorful area that bears little resemblance to the original dark basement. Vivid colors – including yellow couches and bright stripes of paint on the wall near the “café” seating – and bright lights have created an inviting space that’s both sophisticated and welcoming. The open space can be configured for arts, peer training or just hanging out. There’s even a baby grand piano!

The transformation was featured in the Fall 2006 issue of O at Home.

In addition to O at Home and Elaine Griffin, The Children’s Aid Society and HOPE Leadership Academy would like to thank the contributors to the makeover – eBay, Just Shades, ILevel, Scholastic, Taylormade Contractors and Larson-Juhl.