Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Agnew.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have had the pleasure of serving Dwell with Dignity for just over 120 days now! I got my start as a dancer, working mostly in musical theater while pursuing my undergraduate degree in Arts Administration. I graduated college early at 20 and jumped into working full-time at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra while going to school full-time at night to get my Master of Public Administration degree.
I love nonprofit work- I enjoy serving others, and bringing people together to support their community and neighbors. Dwell with Dignity is truly my dream organization- we truly transform the lives of those in need through beautiful design, combining aesthetics with a heart for others and a love of all things thrift and DIY.
I look forward to growing this amazing organization to serve as many families as we can throughout Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, and beyond! As a mom, it is rewarding to work with an organization that values families and cares so much about developing the futures of children.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m very lucky that I found my passion early on in life. I definitely hit a rough patch when I first went to grad school- I was the youngest person ever accepted into the program I first entered- I was so young I couldn’t even get into the bar for one of our class mixers.
The program ultimately ended up not being the right one for me- it was difficult for me to admit that I wasn’t going to be successful where I was, and I worried about the repercussions that might have on my career. I was blessed to quickly find another grad program that was so much better for me- small classes, hands-on professors, and lots of practical, real-world scenarios and applications, but I did struggle with self-doubt that lingered for many years and has only recently gone away.
It is always difficult to admit that you have made a mistake- especially one that has expensive student loans tied to it- but it all ended up for the best.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Dwell with Dignity is truly amazing- we help families escape poverty and homelessness through design, one household at a time. Our goal is to transform lives through design- we partner with the interior design community, dedicated volunteers, and generous donors to provide beautiful homes to those in need. Our families have worked with partner agencies that have rigorous programs to help them get back on their feet after losing their jobs, homes, or fleeing domestic violence.
After these families have graduated from an accountability-based program, the agency nominates them for the gift of transformational home design. Our families end up with customized homes that truly look like they have come straight out of a magazine. I’m so proud of not only the beautiful homes that Dwell with Dignity designs but the close relationships we have with our families. Our past clients are still very involved with the organization- some even volunteer regularly for work nights to serve other families!
What really sets Dwell with Dignity apart is the commitment to thrift and DIY- each family home is designed from top to bottom for only $5,000, and each contains 6-7 pieces of DIYed furniture and art. We take the time to get to know the family, including what colors they like, how they use their homes, and what goals they have for the future.
The road to self-sufficiency is difficult, but a beautiful home provides the foundation needed to get back on your feet. We currently serve Dallas, Atlanta, and have just done our first installation in Houston!
What were you like growing up?
It is funny, I’ve always heard that you should look at what you loved doing when you were younger, and that will inform what you want to do as an adult.
I always loved starting groups, I always wanted to be the president of clubs that I started with my friends, and I loved to dress up – today, fashion is still so important to me and a major part of my life. I vividly remember wearing white go-go boots and leopard jumpers back in elementary school – trends I’m still loving and wearing today. I also loved (and still love) to read – I read all the time as a kid, and would stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning to finish a book.
One of the most major parts of my childhood was dancing – I did drill team and dance company, dancing 8 to 10 hours a day – ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, you name it. I wasn’t cut out to be a full-time professional dancer, but I still love to do musical theater and choreograph shows.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3112 Hood Street
- Website: www.dwellwithdignity.org
- Phone: 2145997974
- Email: ashleyagnew@dwellwithdignity.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwellwithdignity/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DwellwithDignity/
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