The Restoration House Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Phase Two of The Village

In 2015, Hickory Construction completed Phase One of The Village for The Restoration House (TRH). Hickory’s relationship with the organization began in 2012, when the team participated in TRH’s episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Since 2005, Daniel and Mandy Watson have worked to provide single mothers and their kids with safe, transitional housing and a reliable support system. As co-founders of TRH, the husband and wife team are passionate about serving the Knoxville community through dynamic family advocacy that includes financial planning, career development, and more. The couple is a remarkable example of how pursuing a lifelong dream can transform lives in your own backyard.

After two years of planning and eight months of construction, Hickory put the finishing touches on Phase Two of The Village. TRH recently welcomed guests to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the project, a community for low-income single mother families in West Knoxville.

Phase One of The Village included six single-family units, as well as a community center, basketball court, and community garden. Phase Two added 12 units. The final phase of the 24-unit project includes the remaining six units. The Village will enable TRH to impact 140 to 160 single mothers and 280 to 320 children over the next 10 years. TRH is currently raising funds for the final units.

During the March 28 ceremony, guests gathered to celebrate the successful completion of Phase Two, while also lifting up TRH team and the future families who will call The Village home. Attendees were encouraged to tour the units and participate in art projects to welcome future tenants. To kick things off, various community and TRH leaders addressed the crowd.

“It takes a village to build a village,” Becky Paylor, Chair of TRH Board of Directors, explained as she welcomed guests. “We’re honored to make this dream a reality.”

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero was on hand to praise the dramatic difference TRH has made on the environment. “It is astonishing to see how this landscape has changed since 2008,” she said. “Mandy and Daniel started small with their sights set on real change and making a real impact in our community.”

Hickory President Ben Pinnell also addressed attendees, saying: “Thank you for asking us to be a part of this. What a long way The Restoration House has come since we worked with Daniel and Mandy on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. It’s been an honor to perform the construction … Building a solid, safe shelter is always a number one priority.”

As the ceremony drew to a close, the Watsons expressed their gratitude to everyone involved in the project and shared stories of the impact TRH has made on participating families. Mandy summed up the core of what the organization achieves.

“There’s no better feeling in the world than being welcomed home.”

To learn more and get involved with The Restoration House, visit therestorationhouse.net.