Meet the Maker — Lorene Green

“I was heartbroken, I was home-broken,” says resident Miss Lorene when speaking about her life before encountering Project HOME. “They were so nice to me, they gave me a place to stay, a place to call my own. They gave me wholesomeness.” Miss Lorene had been living “door step to door step” when one of our volunteers found her at a crisis center in 2011. Of the experience Miss Lorene, who is now five years sober, says, “God blessed me, because she came.”

As part of Project HOME’s Social Enterprise program, Miss Lorene, along with other residents, started hand making soap and candles in 2013. Now Miss Lorene supports others’ growth as a HOME Made brand workshop leader, preparing materials and space for the project which produces roughly 3000 products annually. This therapeutic supportive employment initiative allows residents like Miss Lorene to earn income and become re-acquainted with a workplace environment. Via our Employment Services Department, Miss Lorene completed an internship at Kairos House, a residence housing people who are struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

With the help of a Project HOME job developer, Miss Lorene hopes to secure permanent employment within the mental health field. For now Miss Lorene is content with her work in the social enterprise HOME Made gift line and enjoys spending time in her apartment at the state-of-the-art JBJ Soul Homes, she adds that she plans on purchasing a Jon Bon Jovi CD soon.

HOME Made candles made by Lorene and others come in apple spice and vanilla scent this holiday season.  Soaps molded in a heart or sheep shape are available in oatmeal honey and fresh linen scents. Both the candles and soaps can be purchased here, along with other resident created products including greeting cards and holiday gift baskets.