It was a round, green couch. But to Amy Sigmon, it may as well have been the world.
“I had a garage apartment, but it felt like a mansion because of the items I received,” she said, recalling her first visit to The Green Chair Project eight years ago.
That trip ended up providing Sigmon with far more than a sofa. Today, she serves as the Raleigh, North Carolina, nonprofit’s Transportation and Donations coordinator – a role offering her a second chance with an organization offering people and families the same.
“I went to prison for 20 years,” Sigmon said. “Essentially, I grew up in prison. When I was released, Interfaith Prison Ministry helped me get my apartment and brought me to Green Chair.”
Over 100 nonprofits bring their clients who have overcome homelessness, natural disasters, personal crisis, addiction recovery and more to Green Chair to help offer them a fresh start in stable housing by making their house a home. Clients shop for new and gently used furnishings, dishes, linens and more either virtually or in person at the organization’s showrooms.
At the heart of every Green Chair shopping visit?
“Choice and dignity are two of our core values,” said Rae Marie Czuhai, the organization’s CEO. “Our families have been through a lot. Whatever situation they’ve gone through, we want them to have a great experience. We ask and make sure families receive the furniture they want. When that truck rolls up to deliver the items they selected, it’s a great day.”
The Green Chair Project serves clients through a very personal, one-on-one model. Terry Hoey, Regions Mortgage Production manager and Raleigh market executive
Regions Bank in Raleigh has financially supported Green Chair’s work through a $3,000 gift made over the past two years. For Terry Hoey, a Mortgage Production manager and Raleigh market executive, the nonprofit’s focus on housing stability is especially meaningful.
“The Green Chair Project serves clients through a very personal, one-on-one model,” said Hoey. “They’re connecting people and families who have experienced a very difficult past with resources they need to achieve independence and create a brighter future. Regions is incredibly proud to support Green Chair in demonstrating our commitment to affordable housing and economic and community development.”
Lori Wheaton and Cindy Forrester, part of Regions Bank’s Commercial team in Raleigh, volunteer their time as Green Chair volunteers. The two have packed toasters, mixers and coffee pots and donated and stuffed accent pillows with batting.
“Many Green Chair clients are working hard to improve themselves, working to provide for their family and need extra support,” said Wheaton, a Commercial Banking client specialist. “They may struggle to secure essentials like appliances and even children’s beds as they transition into stable housing. Green Chair is making such an impact in their lives by helping make their house feel more like home.”
I was ashamed, I wasn’t confident in myself; I had no self-worth. But they made me feel so good about myself and so worthy.Amy Sigmon
Sigmon would be the first to tell you the team at Green Chair has helped her feel something, too.
“I was 44 and had nothing,” she said of her initial visit. “I was ashamed, I wasn’t confident in myself; I had no self-worth. But they made me feel so good about myself and so worthy.”
And now, Sigmon is creating that experience for other Green Chair clients.
“I want people to feel the way I felt that day,” she explained. “When people get to tour the showroom, it just does something to you. It touches you; it will humble you. I could go on for hours and hours about it.”
She and Czuhai rely on an army of support to help make that showroom magic happen.
“God has a special group of women who come here every day to volunteer,” said Sigmon. “It’s like Santa’s elves and the workshop. They even iron sheets to make them look good packed with the comforters. They really care and that makes a difference.”
Czuhai says that care results in an added benefit: increased awareness.
“When we have groups like Regions come in and see what we’re doing, it really offers us a chance to showcase what do,” said Czuhai. “Seven people tell seven people tell seven people.”
Wheaton, who’s shared her Green Chair volunteer experience with others, agrees.
“There is power in numbers,” she said. “When we’re working together for a good cause, it creates excitement and enthusiasm; it’s so contagious. I’ve thought to myself, ‘This is somewhere I want to volunteer at often in my retirement days.’”
Amy Sigmon sees herself at The Green Chair Project for the long-term, too.
“I could never quit,” she said. “I could never move on from here because I love it so much. God has blessed me with this job and these people here. It can’t be anything but that.”
