- 13 minutes ago
Nate and Jeremiah Save My House - Season 2 Episode 6
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Time to surprise them.
00:01Let's run in there, OK?
00:01Let's go.
00:01Let's go.
00:02OK.
00:04We have a surprise for you guys.
00:07Oh my god.
00:08Bye.
00:11The Covenant House is a homeless shelter
00:13that take in youth from ages 18 to 24.
00:15The big room is very important to the Covenant House.
00:18This room is used for everything.
00:20It really is our family room, but it's just not working.
00:24A lot of us, we walk into this shelter very scared.
00:26You want to walk in and feel automatically safe.
00:30As parents, the most important thing
00:32we can teach our daughter is that you have an obligation to help.
00:36Dad, watch me slide.
00:38OK.
00:43They can't operate very long without the big room.
00:45I'll ask them for a week.
00:47The thing that's got me stressed out
00:48is that this is the most aggressive amount of furniture
00:51we've placed, and it doesn't need to just be, like, pretty.
00:54Look at me.
00:54It's going to be fine, right?
00:56All right, guys, come on in.
01:03Oh, my God.
01:05I'm Nate Berkus, and I'm married to Jeremiah Brent.
01:10And we're interior designers.
01:12Built-in bench right here.
01:13It's going to be so pretty.
01:15Hi.
01:15Hi.
01:16We're rescuing homeowners who are in over their heads
01:19with no way out.
01:20Hey, Jeremiah, please, please come help us.
01:23We don't see a way out of this.
01:24I feel like I've been saved.
01:27We'll turn their money pit into a masterpiece.
01:30Oh, my God, you guys!
01:40Most of the people that reach out to us for help
01:42are homeowners that need help with their homes.
01:45But there are some people who have reached out to us
01:47that are in a completely different situation entirely.
01:50There's this amazing organization
01:51based out of Hollywood called the Covenant House.
01:54Amazing.
01:54They're a homeless shelter that take in youth
01:56from ages 18 to 24.
01:57They give them the basic necessities.
02:00Really, everything, if you're homeless, that you need.
02:03You need help with education.
02:05You need job training.
02:06You need basic shelter.
02:08You need food.
02:09And most importantly, you need a soft and a safe place to land.
02:22There's a meeting today, so I guess maybe a good idea
02:25would probably be to condense these clothes,
02:26and then let's at least just try to set up the tables
02:29and maybe the chairs.
02:30My name is Chantel.
02:31I was here at the Covenant House for about two years.
02:34Now I'm working full time, and I have a home,
02:37and I will forever get back to Covenant House.
02:39Let's just push everything back this way.
02:41My name's Abelardo Capati, but people call me Junior.
02:44I've stayed at the Covenant House for a year now.
02:47Yeah, this does not look presentable at all.
02:50I'm Josue, and I've been in Covenant House
02:52for about two years.
02:54When I was 17, my parents separated.
02:58After that, I was practically on my own,
03:00so I packed all my stuff in my car,
03:03and it came to Los Angeles.
03:05I didn't have any money, and I lost my car,
03:07so I had to sleep on the streets.
03:10Sometimes I wouldn't eat at all.
03:12I wasn't the greatest kid in the world,
03:14but, like, I tried to be.
03:16It wasn't up to par with what my dad's girlfriend's
03:19expectations were.
03:21I had to move into my aunt's house,
03:23and then my cousin started being abusive,
03:25and I didn't want that anymore.
03:27I had no place to stay, so I was staying on the streets.
03:31I've always been bounced around from house to house.
03:34My family from California told me,
03:36hey, you can come stay with us.
03:37They were heavily into drugs,
03:39and that wasn't a part of my life.
03:41We actually got into a physical fight,
03:42and they kicked me out,
03:44and they physically threw all of my belongings outside.
03:47When you're on the streets, you feel dirty.
03:50You can't take a shower.
03:51You feel like you don't belong here in society.
03:53Coming here to Covenant House,
03:55they make you feel like you matter.
03:56It's not like a big old ordinary shelter.
03:58They gave me all the basic necessities that I needed,
04:01and the staff opened their arms to me.
04:03It kind of feels like they're like my aunts and uncles
04:06and moms and dads.
04:08When I walked through the Covenant House doors,
04:09I was just full of fear,
04:11and I didn't know what to expect.
04:13But the Covenant House is different from any other shelter.
04:17The cleanliness, the friendliness,
04:19the warmth that is here, the love that's here.
04:21People here actually care,
04:24and they do make it feel like a home.
04:26With the exception of the big room.
04:29The big room is very important to the Covenant House.
04:31This room is used for everything.
04:33Birthday parties, meetings, movie nights,
04:36and it's the first room that people see
04:38when they arrive to the Covenant House.
04:40It really is our family room,
04:42but it's just not working.
04:45It's dark and cold.
04:47It's not a representation of the rest of the Covenant House.
04:50When you come off the street,
04:52you're already coming from a dark and lonely place.
04:54You do not want to come into that.
04:56The Covenant House has made such a big impact.
04:59We want to see this room get better and pay for it.
05:01Nate and Jeremiah, I've seen your designs.
05:04Absolutely incredible.
05:05We wanted to reach out to you to surprise the staff
05:08and transform the big room.
05:10They wanted to get this renovated like a long time ago,
05:13but they didn't have the resources to do it.
05:15We need just a beautiful, beautiful space
05:17so that we just feel the love and warmth that is here.
05:20We just have to, I don't know,
05:24make it look as best as we can.
05:26Nate and Jeremiah, please come help us.
05:32I have worked with the Covenant House before.
05:35I did a renovation for them, and what I...
05:37You're saying it's a renovation.
05:38You redid, like, building after building.
05:40You've done a lot of work there.
05:41I've worked at the Covenant House.
05:43I redid four buildings for them.
05:44It was a complete gut renovation,
05:46and the thing that stuck with me
05:48is the dignity that they provide this homeless youth.
05:52What I love about this opportunity that we're being given
05:54is that the big room represents the heart of the home,
05:57so to speak.
05:58So the idea that we get to come in and transform it
06:01makes it that much more beautiful.
06:13The interesting thing about the Covenant House
06:15is that there is a wait to get into this place.
06:18There's kids waiting for a spot,
06:20a bed inside the Covenant House.
06:21It's heartbreaking.
06:23I can't believe that, with homelessness being such a huge issue,
06:27especially here in Los Angeles,
06:29that this is the largest facility, and it only has 170 beds.
06:34That's crazy.
06:35It was the kids that reached out to us to surprise the staff
06:38and the future residents of the Covenant House.
06:41We don't know if there's a budget.
06:43But we know we'll do anything we can to get it done.
06:49This is it, babe.
06:52What would you like to see transformed in this space?
06:55New carpet, new chairs, definitely a new wall, new painting.
06:58So Chantel Jr. and Josue know that the Covenant House
07:02is being considered for the show,
07:03but they have no idea that we're about to show up
07:04and surprise them.
07:05We're gonna do it.
07:08Okay, are you ready?
07:09Yeah.
07:09Go, go, go, go, go, go.
07:13So let's surprise the kids first, then the staff.
07:17I've been just excited and...
07:19Hey, guys.
07:20Oh, my God.
07:21Hey, oh, my God.
07:23Oh, my God.
07:24How are you?
07:25How are you?
07:26What's up, man?
07:26How are you?
07:28Jeremiah, oh, my gosh.
07:29Your work is beautiful.
07:31Nate and Jeremiah just surprised us.
07:33It's just incredible.
07:35Do you want to explain what we're doing here?
07:36We're gonna redo the entire big room.
07:38Wow.
07:38Yeah.
07:39Oh, my gosh.
07:41Thank you guys so much.
07:42We're very, very excited.
07:43Thank you so much for coming by
07:45and just making this happen.
07:47I want you guys to know we love the Covenant House.
07:50Obviously, Jer has been here before,
07:52but all of the stories that come out of this place
07:55are so amazing, and we think about this place all the time.
07:59Are you kidding?
08:00Yes.
08:00Your work is incredible.
08:01Thank you for asking us to be here.
08:03Where's all the, like, staff and everybody today?
08:06Where are they right now?
08:07I think they're in a meeting right now.
08:08Where is it at?
08:09In the big room?
08:10Big room.
08:10So we could ambush them?
08:11I think we should go in.
08:12The staff just loves Nate and Jeremiah.
08:15We're gonna surprise them, and they have no idea.
08:17Our team has already hidden cameras in the big room.
08:20Time to surprise them.
08:20Let's run in there, okay?
08:21I can't wait to see the staff's reaction.
08:24I'm excited.
08:25I would love to hear from you.
08:27We have a surprise for you guys.
08:29Hi, guys.
08:29Hi, guys.
08:30Hey!
08:33Surprise!
08:36Hey, Alex.
08:37Hey!
08:38Hey!
08:38Hey!
08:39To see Nate and Jeremiah walk in, it's just so exciting.
08:43Best interruption to a staff meeting ever.
08:44So this room is such a gathering place for the Covenant House, and this could be a lot better.
08:51So it's gonna be.
08:53We're gonna redo this.
08:57Every once in a while, an opportunity comes up where we feel we're in the right place at the exact
09:03right time.
09:03It's a gift that we get to come in to do this, and that we get to help translate home
09:07in this very unique and important way.
09:10Something really important to point out is that the kids are the ones that really put this forward.
09:15It's the idea, that ripple effect of love.
09:17So we're gonna put them to work.
09:22I hate to interrupt you guys' staff meetings.
09:24I know it looks like you're very busy.
09:26But we actually have to kick you out, because we need to get a lay of the land.
09:28We're gonna have these three walk us through and get an understanding of what this space really serves,
09:32and how it needs to function in the future.
09:35So, surprise.
09:36No, please leave.
09:40The crazy thing about the big room of the Covenant House is that you could never tell walking into this
09:45space
09:45that this is a modern, happy place for this youth.
09:49It just doesn't represent the Covenant House at all.
09:52This room is the pits, man.
09:55It's the pits.
09:56It's the pits.
09:58Take me back to the first time you walked through that door.
10:02You come in, and you come into this room, and what do you think to yourself?
10:08I think a lot of us, we walk into, in the shelter, very scared and, like, just very anxious.
10:15And, you know, it would be nice to feel just, like, that immediate transformation, you know?
10:20Like, Father Brian, this is something new.
10:21They need to know that this is not just another shelter, because it's not, and this is not speaking for
10:26you, you know?
10:27Almost like you want to walk in and feel automatically safe.
10:30Right.
10:30And warm.
10:31Like, you want the warmth when you walk in.
10:33Absolutely.
10:34What would you guys like to see in here?
10:36We have limited seating in here.
10:38Yeah.
10:39So, like, somewhere you could, like, relax, like, just slouch, not hurt your back or anything.
10:44We all really like the bean bags, but they've gotten more down over time.
10:48You need to use, like, two or three of them to be comfortable.
10:50What's all that stuff over there?
10:51We get donations, but then we have no place to put it.
10:54So, we just put it right here.
10:56So, no storage.
10:57Yeah, no storage at all.
10:58Can we talk about this mural really quick?
11:01I don't want to knock anybody's artwork, but, like, this is rough.
11:04But it's kind of outdated.
11:06Yeah.
11:08I had an idea for it.
11:09I was thinking maybe, like, putting a quote right there.
11:11Mm-hmm.
11:12Is there one in particular that you tell yourself when times are really dark or you're going through something really
11:17difficult?
11:18Uh, if I had to choose one, I would say that the world is your canvas.
11:26Wherever you live, once you step out those doors, it's up to you what you want to do in this
11:30world.
11:30Yeah.
11:31You're in charge of your own destiny.
11:33You know his story, right?
11:35Oh, I know.
11:36Do you guys know?
11:36It's not that.
11:37No, it is.
11:38He lived in his car when he first was down here.
11:40Oh, wow.
11:42Yeah.
11:42Um, I moved to Los Angeles when I was 19 years old to live a bigger life than I thought
11:47I could.
11:47where I was.
11:48But it was a long, tumultuous year.
11:51I was living in and out of my car.
11:53And I worked really hard to save up the money to finally get my first place.
11:57So I understand what it means to finally have those four walls and the safety that comes with them.
12:04Step into my office.
12:06Hi!
12:07Look who I found!
12:08Hey!
12:09Hey, guys.
12:09We were talking about what, you know, they would like to see accomplished in this space.
12:13But we really want to hear, function-wise, what you guys would like to see happen in here.
12:17What we use this space for is everything.
12:19We meet with our board of directors.
12:21We do amazing Friday night movie nights in here.
12:24We'll do trainings in here.
12:25We also do workshops.
12:27And it happens all on the same day.
12:29Right.
12:30Yeah.
12:31Is there a world where people are in this room but they're actually not together?
12:35Yeah.
12:35They'll be able to come in and hang out in a space, but like staff could be working over
12:39here.
12:39Okay.
12:40So we need to make the big room feel like a home, but it also has to perform 70 different
12:47functions.
12:47It needs to be big enough for everybody and intimate enough for just two people.
12:51Yeah.
12:52No problem, right?
12:53Easy.
12:53What's the budget?
12:56Sometimes things all come together and are meant for a reason.
12:59And we very recently had a donor walk through and make a gift of $25,000.
13:04Wow.
13:05That's amazing.
13:0625 grand is a lot, but we have some dreams and hopes for this space.
13:10We've got some big ideas, I think.
13:11We're going to need to take it a little further than that money would go.
13:15We've done a lot of rooms, but I can tell you, I think this room is going to be our
13:19absolute
13:19favorite.
13:20Yeah.
13:21Because this place is the epitome of home.
13:25Yeah.
13:27Coming up.
13:28So there's not quite as much done as I wanted there to be, but it's going to be fine.
13:33Right?
13:35Look at me.
13:36It's going to be fine, right?
13:37All right, guys.
13:38Come on in.
13:40Whoa!
13:42Oh, my God.
13:49So the Covenant House, are you ready to figure this out?
13:52We've got to make this big room feel like a home.
13:55It's basically a little bit over a thousand square feet, one room, but it's got to be versatile.
14:00The question is going to be budget.
14:02Right.
14:03If you've got $25,000, we're going to have to rely on reaching out to some really good friends of
14:07ours
14:08and seeing what they're willing to offer and what they're willing to donate for this organization.
14:12This awesome donation just rolled in from Lumber Liquidators.
14:15Amazing.
14:16That's so awesome.
14:18About to figure out a way to use it.
14:19There's a lot of fluoride.
14:20So do you think that we can ask the team at the Cove to stay out of the room?
14:28I mean, they can't operate very long without the big room.
14:30If you think it's realistic, I'll ask them for a week.
14:34Yeah, I'll reach out to them and work about scheduling and moving them.
14:38You deal with getting things for free, and we'll reconvene.
14:43Okay.
14:43Here's the bottom line, though.
14:45We've got to get these people home.
14:48Yeah.
14:48Make it feel like home.
14:49I mean, I feel like this entire design is about heart, right?
14:53And the belief that you deserve this new life.
14:57Yeah.
14:57So home is where the heart is?
14:59You fine with that?
15:00I am.
15:01It's sweet.
15:02All right.
15:03Off and home, guys.
15:10Excited to show them everything?
15:11Yeah.
15:12I mean, I just want to make sure that the plan really does work for what they need.
15:16So I'm a little bit nervous.
15:18Yeah, because there's a million different ways this could go, and we need their sign-off
15:22because this is really their gift back to the staff.
15:25Right.
15:25I mean, there's a $25,000 donation that's been graciously given to the Covenant House,
15:30which seems like a lot of money, but this is a big room.
15:32And we want to make sure that we're taking that money and using it in the best way possible.
15:36How do you feel like one day?
15:38Guys, what's up?
15:39How are you?
15:40Hello.
15:41I love your pants.
15:43You're welcome.
15:43Nate's been making fun of my pants all morning.
15:45I know.
15:45I want to go to the drugstore and get him, like, a red nose.
15:48You and Diane Keaton have a very similar inherent style.
15:54What are we referring to?
15:55You look like Diane Keaton in the house that Pinterest built.
15:58You literally just look like Diane Keaton at the end of First Wives Club.
16:01Come on, Diane Keaton.
16:03We should ask Diane Keaton if she would wear those pants.
16:05I would love to ask her.
16:06If you're watching Diane, weigh in.
16:10We've been going through a lot of ideas.
16:12We want to talk to you about the function and how we crack this space open to serve as really
16:16a home.
16:17Drum roll.
16:18Okay.
16:20Right away, we want to introduce this vestibule.
16:22So it's almost like an entry to a home.
16:25Because this feels kind of industrial now with the commercial door with the big exit sign and we'd rather have
16:30this feel warm and welcoming.
16:32Yeah.
16:33We'd like to take out the mural and replace it with a custom bookcase and then do the same thing
16:38on that far wall so that there's symmetry.
16:42Okay.
16:43And one of the things that's really important for us, we want to create a space that you can inhabit
16:48and also feel like it's your own space.
16:50Okay.
16:51So we're introducing five or six different mini seating areas.
16:54Seating areas.
16:54And everything can open up if there's a celebration and the whole room can kind of adapt to what it
16:59needs to be.
17:00That's kind of the basic gist.
17:02Do you guys see anything glaring that you're like, oh no, that's not going to work?
17:10So as far as storage, I was kind of looking for something where we can quickly store stuff away.
17:16Yeah, if we need to.
17:17100%.
17:17Both bookshelves will have storage in them.
17:19Movie screens still be over.
17:20Yeah.
17:21We're not messing with movie night.
17:23Yeah.
17:24So what do you think?
17:28So far, everything looks really good.
17:30I'm so excited.
17:31Really?
17:31Okay.
17:32They listened to exactly what we told them and I can't wait to see what it looks like.
17:37I know they're going to do a phenomenal job.
17:39All right, guys.
17:40Next time we see you, there'll be sledgehammers and dust.
17:44You guys need any help?
17:45We might.
17:45No, you do need real help.
17:47We might.
17:48Don't underestimate me because of my pants.
17:51The good news is the kids are on board with our design.
17:54All right.
17:55Now?
17:56We just have to figure out how to do it.
17:58Oh, my God.
17:59That's fine.
18:00We're going to work our magic.
18:01All right.
18:01See you guys later.
18:02All right.
18:03Bye.
18:03Bye.
18:05All right.
18:06Woo-hoo.
18:18Okay, okay, okay.
18:22Voila.
18:22We're back.
18:23Things look a little different.
18:25There's a big saw.
18:26As always, we wanted this and the whole design to be a big secret, so the Covenant House
18:32has agreed to make the big room off limits for one week.
18:36We've got one week.
18:37That is not a lot of time to get everything we need to do done.
18:42Hey, listen.
18:43Check out the ceiling, by the way.
18:45I know.
18:45I saw that.
18:46It looks amazing.
18:46Most people wouldn't think about using a hardwood material on the ceiling.
18:51Just look at how much that changes, the entire tone.
18:54Yeah, it's beautiful.
18:55I love it.
18:55No more tiles.
18:56Covering up these old lights.
18:58This is going to be really good.
18:59One of the things when you're working with a room that's so vast and with ceilings that
19:03are so high is we need elements that add warmth and make people feel comfortable.
19:08By adding the wood, it's going to really warm it up and make it start to feel like a home.
19:12This was the donation that Amanda was telling us about on the phone.
19:15Oh, yeah.
19:16That is sconces.
19:17I have a blade somewhere.
19:18You do?
19:19I have a lot of things in these pockets.
19:20I know.
19:21It's like Oscar's can.
19:23No, I want to do it.
19:23No, it makes me feel professional.
19:25Oh, my God.
19:25You're the worst.
19:29Here's the shades.
19:30Oh, they're big.
19:31Are they big?
19:32They're double sconces.
19:33So this just clips on here.
19:34She fancy.
19:35Hold on.
19:36Let me hold it on the wall for you.
19:37Do you like that silhouette with this?
19:39Yeah, but I don't think we need more than three now.
19:41So we might have to redo that drawing.
19:42Yeah.
19:44Will you remind me?
19:45Don't forget to redo the drawing for the bookshelf.
19:47That's your reminder?
19:48Yeah.
19:48You're really helpful.
19:50The fear for a designer when you're working with a product that's donated is how do you
19:55make it all come together and look good.
19:57So you have to be flexible.
19:58Yeah, I feel like it's just about figuring out what's great, what works, and building from
20:02there.
20:03So there's not quite as much done as I wanted there to be, but it's going to be fine.
20:07Right?
20:09Look at me.
20:10It's going to be fine, right?
20:12Yeah, it's going to be great.
20:16Coming up tonight, we're going to help pass out blankets and food.
20:20It's crazy.
20:20I mean, like, somebody's daughter's standing right there.
20:23That's somebody's son right there.
20:24It's just heartbreaking.
20:32Run!
20:33You're free!
20:36Let me see.
20:37Are you going to do that by yourself?
20:39Again?
20:41I'm watching.
20:42Okay, we're watching.
20:43All right, let's see it.
20:44Whoa!
20:48Good job.
20:49Hey, pops.
20:50Daddies have a million things to do today.
20:52So here's where we're going.
20:53Sit down, I'll tell you what we're doing tonight.
20:54Yeah, we'll tell you what we're doing.
20:55So, we're going to go shopping first, but then, when it gets dark, we're going to get
21:01in a magic van.
21:03Guess what's in the van?
21:05Sandwiches.
21:06Water.
21:07Chips.
21:08What?
21:09Shampoo.
21:09And we drive around and we give all of that stuff to people that are sleeping on the
21:14street with nothing.
21:15They don't have anything.
21:16Is that a good idea?
21:18Yeah.
21:18Yeah.
21:20As parents, I think the most important thing we can teach our daughter is that when you
21:25see somebody whose circumstances are different than yours, you have an obligation to help.
21:32Dad, watch me slide.
21:34Oh, okay.
21:35See, that's a great transition.
21:37What?
21:38No smiling.
21:39No.
21:40Stop!
21:41Look how big she is.
21:43Whoa!
21:43Whoa!
21:45Let's see a bow.
21:47That's not how it works.
21:55Favorite place in the world.
21:57This makes me so happy.
21:58Well, you need to be effective and quick today.
22:00Quick and effective.
22:01So.
22:02My middle name.
22:03Quick and effective.
22:05We are looking for hardware for the cabinetry that's coming into Covenant House.
22:10Yeah.
22:10We have 14 feet of cabinetry times two.
22:13So we need something super subtle, sophisticated, that can kind of stand the wear and tear of
22:18a lot of people using it.
22:19Yeah.
22:20With the finishes that we're working with for Covenant House, because they had some sconces
22:23that were donated, were in the Silver family.
22:25But you can mix a little bit.
22:26I think it's so funny that people still are fearful of mixing metallic finishes.
22:32Prom accents with brass furniture.
22:34You know, really have fun with it.
22:36You don't want it to all just feel like a set.
22:38I feel like a lot of people when they come into hardware stores like this can easily get overwhelmed.
22:42My tip is to decide on a silhouette and a shape before you even get here.
22:46Otherwise you end up like Nate and you're just digging around for hours.
22:51Do you like this guy?
22:52I do.
22:53I think that's pretty.
22:54How much is that?
22:55$6.80.
22:56Sold.
22:58We have five days to get the big room completed for the Covenant House.
23:02And at this point, not a lot has been done.
23:05We really need to kick things into high gear.
23:07We were lucky enough to have some paint donated, so that means we're now able to cover up that outdated
23:12mural.
23:13And for the walls, we're going to go with two tones.
23:16A white for the base and a brown for the bottom half, which will add a chair rail all the
23:20way across.
23:21It's going to trick your eye.
23:22It's going to ground the space.
23:23And it didn't cost a lot of money.
23:25And we've got to finish the wood on the ceiling.
23:28Once we're done, the room will feel like home.
23:32Hey, Nate.
23:33Jeremiah.
23:34I can't believe you guys picked us and the construction is going on right now.
23:38And it feels unreal because it's actually going to happen.
23:41I feel like it's going to have a huge impact for staff, residents, and future residents.
23:46And I can't wait to see when it's done.
23:49So I hope to see you guys soon.
23:56Guys, what's up?
23:57Hi, guys.
23:58How are you, Phil?
23:58Hey.
23:59How are you?
23:59Nice to see you.
24:00Of course.
24:01What is this stuff?
24:02So we got backpacks, hygiene kits.
24:04We got blankets.
24:06A lot of times, people that are on the street, they, you know, just need some of the basics.
24:09And this will help keep them warm or keep them clean and keep them fed.
24:13Tonight, I'm really excited because we're going to help pass out blankets and food.
24:16To stand in the type of truth that we are about to see tonight is going to be hard.
24:23Do you feel like there's been an increase in the homeless youth lately over the last couple of years?
24:27Yeah, there has been.
24:28And it's been significant.
24:30We expect young people coming out of the system at 18 years old to be able to be independent.
24:35Right.
24:35Yet, like in a middle class family, young people are staying at home until they're 26.
24:39Right.
24:39After they're finished at college.
24:41Absolutely.
24:41That's very interesting.
24:43Yeah.
24:43So the expectations are very unreasonable for these young people.
24:48What percentage of homeless youth do you think the parents actually know where they are?
24:52I'd say it's a pretty low percentage.
24:55Most of the young people we work with are disconnected from their families, either because they were abused or neglected.
25:00Tons of them are homeless because they're LGBTQ, rejected by their families.
25:04That's insane to me.
25:06Yeah.
25:06It's crazy to think that Josue and Junior and Chantal, these lovely, really interesting people, were on the streets of
25:15Hollywood in tents.
25:17And it's so incredible that they're giving back.
25:19They're incredible people.
25:21Hey, guys.
25:22How you doing?
25:24Good.
25:24Anybody hungry?
25:25Yeah.
25:26Sandwiches.
25:26There's chips down there.
25:28Waters.
25:29You guys doing good?
25:30Could be better.
25:31Could be worse.
25:32Of course.
25:33Yeah.
25:34We're lucky to be homeless in Hollywood.
25:37This is one of the only places that you can set your tents up anymore.
25:41Are you guys comfortable in there?
25:42Yeah, I imagine.
25:43Oh, wow.
25:44That's really cool.
25:45When I was homeless, I had amazing friends and family who were there to help in any way they could.
25:51But these kids have everything that they own in a tent.
25:55And you can tell that just by giving them blankets and sandwiches means so much to them.
26:00The guy that owns this place, when the cops come here, he lets them know, I give them permission, thank
26:05you.
26:05No way.
26:06Just the dignity of looking them in the eyes and having a conversation and connecting with them, they appreciate.
26:11Good to meet you, bro.
26:13All right.
26:13All right.
26:13Cool.
26:13All right.
26:14See ya.
26:15There's such a stigma around being homeless that they're human beings.
26:19It's crazy.
26:20I mean, like, there's somebody's kids.
26:21Yeah.
26:22That's somebody's daughter standing right there.
26:23That's somebody's son right there.
26:25This is a mile and a half from our house where, like, our daughter is.
26:29And they're not, they're well-spoken.
26:30And they're, like, connected and young and forgotten.
26:35And it's just so, it's...
26:37I don't know.
26:38It's just heartbreaking.
26:40At home for them is the connection that they have with the people that they've met on the street.
26:46The beauty of working with homeless youth versus other populations is they still have so many hopes and dreams.
26:51Right.
26:52That you got an in.
26:53Right, right.
26:53It's like, oh, you want to do this?
26:54We can help you do that.
26:56Let's keep going.
26:57Onto the next.
26:57Okay.
27:00Going out there last night, it made me realize how far I've come.
27:03Without the Covenant House, I wouldn't really have my life back together the way it is now.
27:09And I wouldn't have this opportunity to be able to give back to other homeless people.
27:19We've got three days left and there's still a ton of work to be done.
27:23We know that it's been really hard for the Covenant House to operate without this room.
27:26But we are 100% confident that they're finally going to feel at home in it.
27:32The next step is to cover that existing carpeting with new laminate flooring that was donated.
27:37It's really durable and will work really well in the space.
27:41Then we're going to add our vest spiel for the perfect first impression.
27:45Dave Buller, our incredible contractor, has agreed to donate custom bookcases.
27:51Not only are they practical and provide a ton of storage, but it really draws your eye to both sides
27:56of the room and makes it feel like it is in a shelter.
28:08Are you ready to see everything?
28:10I'm excited.
28:11Me too.
28:14Whoa.
28:17What?
28:19What?
28:20Wow.
28:21I feel so much happier already.
28:23Doesn't it?
28:24This looks like when you first walk in, you really realize that not only do people care about you, but
28:29they've created like a home for you.
28:32Yeah.
28:32Look at the bookshelf.
28:34It's so good looking.
28:35Beautiful.
28:36The cabinets are so sick.
28:38Look how deep this is and look at how much storage there is.
28:41Yeah.
28:41This really looks amazing.
28:43I love the entry.
28:44I think that's so handsome.
28:46It's such a nice moment to have when you walk in.
28:49Beautiful.
28:50All of these elements combined create this soft, warm atmosphere.
28:54They're going to really make this big room finally feel like their home.
28:59I'm excited to get this whole thing cleared out, start getting furniture in here.
29:03The thing that's got me stressed out about this floor plan, babe, is that this is the most aggressive amount
29:09of furniture we've placed.
29:11There's between 50 and 60 pieces of furniture.
29:14There's 50 pieces of actual furniture.
29:16Yeah.
29:16And then we need multiple televisions, multiple lighting, multiple rugs.
29:20We've got 14 feet of bookshelves on two walls that we need to fill.
29:25And it needs to be useful.
29:27Right.
29:27It doesn't need to just be like pretty.
29:29This is like designing 20 living rooms.
29:31So this is going to be brutal.
29:33But I want it to be perfect for them.
29:40It is install day.
29:42I'm so excited about this.
29:44Look at this.
29:45Yay.
29:46Floor plans.
29:48And we have a plan.
29:50There is 50 pieces of furniture plus.
29:52I can't believe it was all donated.
29:55Without the donations of amazing furniture stores, we would never have been able to complete this space.
30:00Countless time and effort and shipping and money.
30:03And everybody that we reached out to to be involved in this was excited at the opportunity to help out.
30:09Yes.
30:11Yes.
30:12It's going to be so comfortable.
30:14It's going to feel like home.
30:16This is exactly what we wanted.
30:18Two custom bookshelves.
30:20We're going to fill these with books so the kids have a library to borrow from.
30:23Do you want to divide and conquer today?
30:25It's like music to my ears.
30:27Nate is going to attack both of the bookshelves.
30:29And he can place all the little things that he lives for.
30:31And I will do everything else.
30:36Not everything.
30:36I mean like lay out the furniture.
30:38Yeah, we'll see.
30:39We'll see.
30:40I'm going to do everything else.
30:42Can we get started?
30:43Yeah.
30:45We know we've got a lot of books that were donated to Covenant House.
30:48So I want everybody to be able to come, grab a book on something that interests them.
30:53I think books bring a community together too.
30:56Do you know who's going to be psyched about these books?
30:58Josue.
31:02One thing that you see in historical interiors all the time are paintings and photographs.
31:06Hung in front of bookshelves.
31:08It's something that adds a lot of warmth and a lot of depth to the space.
31:12And this is going to look great on both sides.
31:14Symmetry.
31:17What are you doing?
31:19Not helping you.
31:20What are you doing with those then?
31:22Because those are not for your bookshelf.
31:23I am aware that these go on the table.
31:26I know.
31:26Those go for the dining table.
31:27I know.
31:28I'm putting them over on the...
31:29I know.
31:30But the dining table is not in there yet.
31:31That's not your concern.
31:32I'm putting them over on the bookshelves.
31:34Just waiting so that they're ready and next to us when we want to plug them in.
31:38But I don't want them in there.
31:39That falls under furniture.
31:40This is accessories.
31:41But I don't understand.
31:42You're not using them on the bookcases.
31:43So why put them on the bookcases?
31:44I know.
31:44I'm just putting them there so that I remember.
31:47For me to put them on a table?
31:52It's happening.
31:57That looks so good.
31:59What?
32:02Yikes.
32:03One of the fun things about this space has been trying to figure out a way to introduce
32:06some sophisticated lighting that didn't feel commercial with the big tubes that were
32:10in here before.
32:11So we found these really great, inexpensive glass globes.
32:14We're hanging them in a series.
32:17Babe, I'm in the middle of a monologue.
32:18It's fine.
32:19Busy.
32:20For once.
32:21We have hung everything in that really cool series.
32:24And then we're actually mounting lighting on the actual bookshelves.
32:28So it's just enough ambient lighting as well.
32:32We've been waiting all day for the stone tops for the tables that we ordered.
32:36We used remnants.
32:38And when Izzy, who does the stone for us, found out what we were doing here at Covenant
32:43House, he was like, I'm not going to charge you.
32:45This entire experience has been people throwing in whatever they can to help.
32:49Josue had this really beautiful moment when we met him, talking about how life is a canvas.
32:54So we bought these really inexpensive self-adhesive stickers.
32:57And we're going to use them just above the line in the entry to spell out Josue's quote.
33:01The entire experience of the Covenant House is so full circle for me.
33:06I was in and out of my car for a year.
33:08And now, ten plus years later, with my husband, creating a space that's aimed at making kids feel like they
33:15have a chance to carve out a life for themselves on their terms is so beautiful and so poignant.
33:21It's been really special.
33:22I just think that what it represents is so powerful.
33:25Like, this is the first opportunity that kids off the street have a moment and think, oh, I deserve better
33:30than what I've got right now.
33:31Like, I might actually have landed somewhere out of my tent.
33:35That's worth it.
33:49I really wanted to have, like, good pictures of the residents here and the staff.
33:54I want these personal touches here.
33:56I'm glad you left this until today.
33:58You are?
33:58No.
33:59Oh.
34:00It's reveal day, and this is the one that's probably closest to our hearts.
34:04I'm so excited.
34:05It's a surprise for the staff, but it's going to affect the youth that come in here for years and
34:10years to come.
34:11So it's twofold.
34:12This is a one-time shot, and it really has to stand the test of time.
34:15You think it's going to look like a lounge?
34:18Oh, yeah.
34:19Like...
34:20I think so.
34:21What are you excited to see?
34:22I'm so excited to see the color of the wall, the seats, the individual section areas.
34:27Do you think we still have the beanbags?
34:29I think we got some.
34:30We got some beanbags?
34:31Way better, yeah.
34:32Okay.
34:33This is like a race against the clock.
34:34Make sure you're fast, babe, because they really are going to be here soon.
34:37No, I know.
34:38That's why I'm, like, starting to panic.
34:39Some flaws in your system, bro.
34:41We have to knock.
34:45Uh, almost ready, guys.
34:47We're not almost ready.
34:47Like, and by almost ready, I mean not ready.
34:50Well, perfect.
34:50I am super anxious.
34:52I could not sleep last night at all.
34:54I've been thinking about it, literally just dreaming about it.
34:57I can't wait to see it.
34:58Be right there.
35:00My stress level is going up.
35:02Yeah, my heart is funky right now.
35:09All right, guys, come on in.
35:12Whoa!
35:14Oh, my God.
35:15Oh, my God.
35:17All right, guys, come on in.
35:20Whoa!
35:22Oh, my God.
35:23Oh, my God.
35:25What?
35:26What?
35:26What?
35:27Oh, my gosh, it's insane.
35:28Whoa!
35:29What?
35:30Oh, my goodness.
35:32What?
35:33What?
35:33Yeah.
35:34This is beautiful.
35:36Oh, my gosh.
35:38Wow, how did you guys do this?
35:40I feel like I'm in a hotel.
35:43Yeah.
35:44This feels like home.
35:46We created this brand new little entry moment to kind of set the tone.
35:52When you walk in and you see panes of glass and wood and warmth and all of those things,
35:58it starts to feel like home.
36:00Right.
36:00And the entrance, we used your quote because we thought that that was a really good transition
36:05for kids coming in off the street.
36:10Look at this.
36:10Feel this couch.
36:11So fancy.
36:13Oh, my gosh, this is so incredible.
36:16This feels unreal, bro.
36:17No one's on the beanbags on the floor anymore.
36:19Oh, my gosh, we don't sink into the ground.
36:23You have two rows, basically, of sofas for movie night.
36:26Right.
36:26All these chairs and everything come forward and can slide around on the new floor.
36:31There's over 50 pieces of furniture in this room, so it was like designing like 20 living rooms.
36:37I like how we were able to move around the furniture to accommodate.
36:40That's like a big deal.
36:42That's what we needed for sure.
36:43Yeah.
36:44Definitely a multipurpose room.
36:46Yeah.
36:46Definitely.
36:47For sure.
36:47We didn't want to bring in a ton of color because we wanted it to feel timeless.
36:50We didn't want anybody to have to worry about changing this out in 10 years.
36:56And if the furniture moves, it'll work wherever you move it to.
36:59Dang, this is crazy.
37:00I didn't see this.
37:01I see that right behind you.
37:04Yeah.
37:04Our lovely picture.
37:07Both of these have deep, deep storage.
37:09So all the donations that come in and things like that can be tucked away until they're ready to use
37:14it.
37:15So we wanted this to be a real library that people could have free access to.
37:19We had books donated.
37:21Residents can come in, bring them back to your room, read at night.
37:24A lot of titles that are about inspiration.
37:28Before, the actual staff members had to like work on folding desks, folding chairs, all of that.
37:34Now they've got tons of ample seating, brand new tables.
37:37Oh my goodness.
37:39Group hug.
37:40How are you?
37:40The big room definitely does feel like home.
37:42The future residents, I'm excited for them because a lot of them have been on the streets
37:46and to come into something fresh like that, they're going to see that this is not just another shelter.
37:51This is a place to get their life together.
37:53The three of you started this process as a way to give back.
37:57How does that feel?
37:58To give back to the Covenant House, it's so amazing.
38:01It's our way to say thank you for everything.
38:03The kids should be so proud of themselves.
38:05This is a really big moment for the three of them.
38:08The Covenant House was a part of the kids' story, and now the kids are a part of the Covenant
38:12House's story,
38:13which is really beautiful.
38:14Well, I think we should bring the staff in here.
38:17I don't know about you, babe, but I don't feel like this is our surprise to give.
38:20No, you guys, this whole thing started with you, and it should end with you.
38:24So we'll wait here.
38:26You guys go grab them.
38:28Hi, guys!
38:29Hey!
38:30Woo!
38:31You guys are going to lose it right now.
38:34Yeah.
38:36You ready?
38:37Yeah.
38:38Wait, no, we're...
38:38Yeah.
38:39Okay, we've got to hold on because it's going to be fun.
38:44Should we let them in?
38:45Yeah, I guess so.
38:47All right, guys, come on in!
38:51Surprise!
38:53Surprise!
38:54Hey, guys!
38:55What?
38:56Oh, my God!
38:59I had no idea.
39:00Oh, my gosh!
39:02Look at the ceiling!
39:03Oh, my God!
39:04Oh, my God!
39:05This is just...
39:06It's insane.
39:07Our young people are going to lose their minds.
39:09Thank you, guys!
39:10Thank you, guys!
39:13The guys told us, the three of them, that the Covenant House is not a typical shelter,
39:20and so our job has been to create a space that rises up, because if a place can be this
39:26filled
39:26with love, it should look like it's got that much love.
39:29It just feels really good.
39:32It feels really good.
39:33I feel like the space just says you are loved, and you're free to dream now.
39:38What do you think of, like, the hardwood floors, like, on the ceiling?
39:41I can honestly say I never envisioned the flooring we saw from Lumber Liquidators coming
39:46on the ceiling, but it's just stunning and beautiful and dignifying, and our youth deserve it.
39:53This whole thing started with an anonymous donation to you of $25,000.
39:57Which we used.
39:58Every nickel of.
40:00Everybody we approached also jumped on board.
40:03Our contractor, free bookshelves, custom-made.
40:06If you take the value of all the materials and all the products and all the furniture and...
40:11Yeah, donations.
40:12Everything on the books, all of it.
40:14We ended up spending about $100,000.
40:17Wow.
40:18So...
40:18Yeah.
40:22Wow.
40:22I think we're feeling just full of joy that we have such a beautiful space now to share
40:27with our young people.
40:28We're going to take this off of you.
40:29We're just so ecstatic to be able to have a family room where we can get together with
40:33our staff, with our young people, and it really exudes how I want all of our interactions
40:39with people to be whenever they come on campus.
40:41Oh, yeah.
40:42Oh, yeah.
40:42That's a great...
40:43Oh!
40:44Woo!
40:46Love them, guys!
40:49Love them!
40:52The big room is, like, beautiful.
40:54I love it.
40:55I mean, you walk into that space and you immediately feel like you're part of an organization that
41:00has got its stuff together.
41:02I just love the idea of these kids walking in off the street and seeing this space and
41:07thinking, I deserve this, and I want this.
41:10The actual design of the space is screaming at anybody in it, you're important, you're valued,
41:17you're seen, you're heard.
41:18That is, like, an amazing feeling.
41:22It's home.
41:23We've done a lot of rooms and we've filled a lot of spaces.
41:26But this has been one of the most important things, I think, that we've ever been a part
41:30of.
41:30The work that all of you do here is so unbelievably wonderful.
41:33Thank you for letting us be a very small family.
41:38All right, you guys.
41:39Enjoy.
41:40We love you!
41:40Thank you!
41:41We love you!
41:46How do you feel?
41:47I feel great.
41:48It was a big empty room and now it's a big family room.
41:51You did this.
41:52We did this.
41:53You have to feel really good about it.
41:56It's a big room filled with love.
42:00Hey, Nate.
42:01Jeremiah.
42:01I really want to give a thank you.
42:04This looks amazing and we've done so many activities here.
42:08I'm checking out the bookshelves here.
42:11I already see a couple books that I like, which I greatly appreciate.
42:15Words can hardly express our gratitude for the beautiful gift of this space that you've
42:20given to our family.
42:22It's brought so much dignity and love and just respect to everybody who walks through our
42:27doors and we are overwhelmed with gratitude.
42:30Thank you, Nate and Jeremiah!
42:32Thank you, Nate and Jeremiah!
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