Community Action Partnership of Hennepin County (CAP-HC) and Renewal Experts Construction are excited to reveal the results of our Kitchen Remodel Giveaway for one deserving family.

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The Inspiration Behind the Kitchen Remodel Giveaway

Sometimes, the best ideas come in the most unexpected places. For CAP-HC Executive Director Dr. Clarence Hightower and Renewal Experts Construction owner Sergio Peña, the idea was sparked on the 13th hole of the Be the Change MN golf tournament. “Sergio was explaining to me what he does, and I was explaining to him what CAP-HC does,” Hightower recalled. “And Sergio says to me, ‘What would be really nice is if we could go into one of [CAP-HC’s] client’s homes and renovate their kitchen.’ The generosity of his idea just blew me away.”

From this conversation, the Kitchen Remodel Giveaway was born. CAP-HC launched the giveaway in October so that that one lucky family could enjoy a brand-new kitchen in time for the holiday season. The winner? Pamela,^* a recent Energy Assistance Program client who met the eligibility criteria, including homeownership and income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

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A Dream Kitchen Becomes Reality

Pamela first heard about the giveaway from her cousin. When she received the call telling her she had won, she could hardly believe it. “Cuz, guess what! I won! I’ve never won anything like this before, and because of you, I won!” she exclaimed.

On November 8, Peña met with Pamela to discuss her vision. The biggest challenge? A lack of space, which made cooking and gathering as a family difficult. Peña and his team got to work, improving the kitchen’s flow, adding brand-new appliances, and creating a warm, inviting space. By December 17, the remodel was complete.

At the final walkthrough on January 1, Pamela was overwhelmed with emotion. “My cheeks haven’t stopped hurting from smiling so much. The timing couldn’t be any better for this blessing to come for me and my family,” she said.

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More Than a Kitchen: Addressing the Bigger Picture

The kitchen remodel allowed CAP-HC to bring awareness to the struggles people with low income face every day through one family’s story. While the remodel brought a powerful transformation to one family’s home, our work in the community has a far greater reach. Through programs like the Energy Assistance Program (EAP), we provide support for heating bills, helping families navigate the harsh Minnesota winters. In 2024, EAP served over 21,000 households, preventing energy insecurity and easing financial burdens.

“Stable housing and access to utilities are essential building blocks for economic stability,” said Hightower. “Our Energy Assistance Program not only helps families stay warm during the winter but also helps them direct resources toward other essential needs, such as food, education, and healthcare.”

Pamela echoed this sentiment. “The [Energy Assistance] program helps me focus on other needs like food and clothing for the children,” she shared.

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How You Can Make a Difference

The Kitchen Remodel Giveaway was more than just a renovation—it was a symbol of hope, generosity, and the power of community-driven change. By working together, we can make a difference in the lives of families striving for stability and prosperity.

Do you want to get more involved in our anti-poverty work? There are many ways you can take action and be part of making Hennepin County a better place to live.

• Donate: Contributions help families in need and strengthen the community as a whole.
• Volunteer: Distribute program information or assist with service delivery.
• Advocate: Share your personal story, local poverty statistics, and information about CAP-HC’s programs with your network and public officials to raise awareness.

Thank you to Northstar Collaborative for the wonderful photo and video production throughout the kitchen remodel project!

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^*Client’s first name used with permission. Last name redacted for client privacy.