The nonprofit Triad recycles and sells Styrofoam to help build homes and create jobs for people experiencing homelessness. The Foam Alliance includes various environmental nonprofits, churches, and members of the Greensboro Waste Management recycling program along with the High Point recycling program. an educational experience in a welcoming environment,” according to its website. The organization collects Styrofoam from people throughout Guilford County and surrounding areas, said Scott Jones, executive director of the nonprofit, and sells Styrofoam to companies based in Canada and/or New Jersey, which They then create insulation panels made from recycled materials.Tiny House Community Development then purchases insulation panels at a discount to create homes for people experiencing homelessness in The Triad.There are currently sixteen homes within two communities in High Point and Greensboro.The organization has recycled Over 60,000 lbs. of Styrofoam. As of Thursday.”It’s really powerful because we’re creating landfill space, not just in Guilford County, but all of the neighboring counties. We get foam from all over North Carolina that comes in on a regular basis and is donated to us. We recycle it and it becomes a renewable product that we can use in our tiny homes,” Jones said, but the impact goes beyond that. Also internships, where students from the University of North Carolina Greensboro helped design the tiny homes.” It’s a win-win for everyone from anywhere from high school to college and they’re instrumental in developing and building our tiny home community because it’s the actual work that brings them together,” Jones said. The actual work that puts the design to us. Ames said he has experienced homelessness in the past, and he understands the challenges many people face, and said he continues to serve his community because he believes in how the nonprofit’s efforts to find sustainable solutions can address a problem that many communities across the country face. In a confrontation. “I believe in what they do. Job creation, training for homeless people in the community, workforce development training programs. We work with them, teaching them the ins and outs about hiring. Fill out job applications. When they leave here, they are more successful,” he said. It’s quite an achievement. Seeing them go out and live their lives the way they want to live. He is no longer on the street. That’s strong. DAMAYA HAWKINS: Damaya Hawkins, a resident of the Tiny House Community Development home, said she moved into her home in 2024, after experiencing homelessness for about three years, “I was alone on the street. I’ve had so many struggles – mentally and the things that lead to addiction. So it was definitely difficult. “It was definitely difficult to be on the street without support. Without help. You didn’t have any resources, especially during COVID, during a pandemic.” Hawkins became a mother in October 2024. In December, she received a call and a new set of keys that would change her family’s lives. A place to call home. “If it weren’t for Tiny Homes, I don’t know where I would be. I know if I would ever be able to get back on my feet again.” “The first night, I finally got to bed with my son, and I cried. I was so grateful.” Hawkins said the new home provides a safe place for her and her 17-month-old son. “A safe place for my son because I was worried about what would happen to my child.” “I didn’t have to worry about getting hurt or having things stolen from me.” Hawkins shared a moment that resonated with her after moving into her new home. “I saw the neighborhood kids running around feeling safe. So safe. Great to see her too.” She said the new home also provided her family with the ability to focus on their future. “Having a home makes you remember that you are still a mother, but you still have goals. You still have aspirations. You still have things you want to accomplish for yourself and for your future – for your child and yourself.”
The nonprofit Triad recycles and sells Styrofoam to help build homes and create jobs for people experiencing homelessness.
TINY HOUSE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Tiny House Community Development is a nonprofit organization that partners with community leaders and organizations to reduce homelessness through the provision of homes and services.
The Triad Foam Coalition includes several environmental nonprofits, churches, and members of the Greensboro Waste Management Recycling Program along with the High Point Recycling Program as well.
The alliance has existed for more than two years.
Its goal is to “encourage positive community participation and promote an educational experience in a welcoming environment,” according to its website.
The organization collects Styrofoam from people throughout Guilford County and surrounding areas, said Scott Jones, executive director of the nonprofit, and sells the Styrofoam to companies based in Canada and/or New Jersey, who then create sandwich panels made from the recycled material.
Tiny House Community Development then purchases sandwich panels at a discount to create homes for people experiencing homelessness in The Triad.
There are currently sixteen homes within the two communities of High Point and Greensboro.
The organization had recycled more than 60,000 pounds of Styrofoam as of Thursday.
“It’s really powerful because we’re creating landfill space, not just in Guilford County, but all of the neighboring counties. We get foam from all over North Carolina that comes in on a regular basis that’s donated to us. We recycle it and it becomes a renewable product that we can use.” In our little homes,” Jones said.
But the effect goes beyond that.
Jones said the organization is also providing jobs for vulnerable high school students in Guildford County and teaching them different trade skills as they help build homes. The nonprofit also provides internships, where students from the University of North Carolina Greensboro helped design the tiny homes.
“It’s a win-win from anywhere from high school to college and they’re instrumental in developing and building the tiny home community because it’s the actual work that brings them together, and it’s the actual work that puts the design together for us,” said Jones. .
Volunteers:
WXII 12 News spoke with Donald Ames, a U.S. Navy veteran who volunteers to help the nonprofit several times a week.
Ames said he has experienced homelessness in the past, and he understands the challenges many people face.
He said he continues to serve his community because he believes in how the nonprofit’s efforts to find sustainable solutions can address a problem that many communities across the country face.
“I believe in what they’re doing. Job creation, training for homeless people in the community, workforce development training programs. We work with them, teaching them the ins and outs of hiring. Fill out job applications. When they leave here, they’re more successful.” “It’s quite an achievement. Seeing them get out there and live their lives the way they want to live. They’re not on the street anymore. That’s powerful.”
Damaya Hawkins:
Damaya Hawkins, a resident of the Tiny House Community Development home, said she moved into her home in 2024, after experiencing homelessness for nearly three years,
“I was alone on the street. I had a lot of struggles – mentally and things that led to addiction. So it was definitely tough,” she said. It was definitely hard being on the street without support. no help. I didn’t have any resources, especially during COVID, during the pandemic.”
Hawkins became a mother in October 2024.
And in December, she received a call and a new set of keys that would change her family’s lives.
A place to call home.
“If it weren’t for Tiny Homes, I don’t know where I would be. I don’t know if I would ever be able to get back on my feet,” she said. “The first night, I finally got to bed with my son, and I cried. I was so grateful.”
Hawkins said the new home provides a safe place for her and her 17-month-old son.
“I finally had a safe place for my son because I was worried about what would happen to my child,” she said. “I don’t have to worry about getting hurt or having things stolen from me.”
Hawkins shared a moment that resonated with her after moving into her new home.
“I saw neighborhood kids running around feeling safe,” she said. “It was so free and safe. It’s great to see him, too.”
She added that the new home also provided her family with the ability to focus on their future.
“Having a home makes you remember that you’re still a mother, but you still have goals. You still have aspirations. You still have things you want to achieve for yourself, for your future — for your child and for yourself,” she said.