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ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s definitely something that weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re proud of because each person in these units ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” this is a success story. These are folks who have survived some of the toughest days of their lives. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got a place to call their own that they can take pride in, that they can feel safe in, that they can continue to work towards their own personal goals,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� said Marissa Clark, a member of the executive committee on Harmony HouseÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s board of directors.

While they may be a lesser-known aspect of what Harmony House provides, the apartments are not new.

Harmony House bought and renovated the historic building in 2014. Now, 10 units are currently being remodeled by volunteers from three local groups: Recovery Point of Huntington, Huntington Addiction Wellness Center (HAWC) and RHEMA Development.

Brandon Scarberry, director of Recovery Point of Huntington, said he told his team what was expected of them and how tough the renovations were going to be, but they were not concerned.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThey were chomping at the bit the next morning, ready to go,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� he said.

Jimmie Foltz, property manager for the Cabell Huntington Coalition for the Homeless, said the amount of work volunteers have been able to do in a few weeks wouldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve taken one maintenance man months.

Volunteers from Recovery Point of Huntington cleaned out the 10 apartments in about an hour. This usually wouldÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve taken one maintenance employee nearly two days.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe operate from a disposition and an understanding that us as people in recovery did a really good job for many years working against the city and making things more difficult for people in the city. And once we get into recovery, we have a duty to make sure we do everything we can, within reason but within our capabilities, to give back to the community,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� explained Craig Hettlinger, the president of HAWC.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAnytime I get an opportunity to give back, and maybe right some wrongs from the past and just give back to the community and make it a better place to reside, I feel like itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s our duty to do so.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Both HAWC and RHEMA Development are working on things like demolition, drywall installation, painting, putting in new showers, and repairing the subfloor.

Johnny Ferguson, manager of RHEMA Development, said he wishes there were more apartments available to people experiencing homelessness.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAll of my employees have addiction backgrounds, have been homeless, have been what would be called the outliers,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Ferguson said.

He and the other employees volunteering from RHEMA Development head to the apartments after their work day ends.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s not like having an ordinary remodel client, that you just go in, you demo, you remodel, you get paid and you leave. This is a completely different thing,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� he said.

While that means some tasks requiring additional tools or materials might get pushed to the next day, the volunteers stay focused on completing the task at hand.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAppalachians have a little bit of a different heart and they have that ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥˜what can I doÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ spirit,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� he said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œA little bit of direction and a little bit of information can go a long way with a big heart.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�