Preparing Debbie’s Apartment for a Warm Welcome Home
1. The Situation
Debbie, a longtime friend of co-owner Wendy, reached out to New Beginnings following a recent hospitalization due to a prolonged illness. With her return home approaching, she was overwhelmed by the state of her apartment and physically unable to prepare it for her recovery. She needed a team she could trust to clean, declutter, and restore her home to a livable, peaceful space. Knowing that New Beginnings offered not just practical help but also heartfelt support, Debbie turned to us for assistance. Though co-owner Amy was away during this project, Wendy and our team member stepped in without hesitation to help a friend in need.
2. Our Solution
Since Debbie wasn’t moving, this project focused entirely on decluttering, deep cleaning, and refreshing her apartment. We customized our services to meet her needs:
- Thoroughly decluttered all rooms, including the kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining area, master bedroom, and laundry room
- Washed, dried, and put away dishes and kitchen items
- Cleaned the refrigerator and all kitchen surfaces
- Decluttered and cleaned the bathroom top to bottom
- Gathered laundry into bins and completed several loads at a local laundromat
- Reorganized household items and vacuumed/mopped floors throughout the apartment
- Collected and delivered donations to Women in Need
- Managed all garbage and recycling according to building and city requirements
We also went the extra mile by picking up essential groceries—milk, eggs, bread, and fruit—so Debbie wouldn’t have to worry about shopping during her recovery. A few days later, Wendy returned to the laundromat, picked up Debbie’s clean clothing, and put everything neatly away.
Before
After
3. Scope & Project Review
This was a full refresh of a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment with a galley kitchen and laundry room. While not a move, it was still a comprehensive project that required detailed organization and care. We divided tasks between rooms to maximize efficiency and kept the job within a 10-hour timeframe (5 hours per team member).
From start to finish, the focus was on creating a welcoming and healing environment. Every room was dusted, cleaned, and reorganized to feel fresh and bright. The final result wasn’t just a tidy space—it was a true homecoming. Our work reflected not only efficiency and professionalism but also the heart we bring to every project.
4. Client Testimonial
“I want to commend the good job of the workers from New Beginnings. When I left my house it was in disarray and when I came back it was spotless. They are very good at their job. Whether you need a deep clean or downsizing, they are very professional and work very hard at New Beginnings.”
— Debbie K.
5. Final Thoughts
This project reminded us that helping seniors doesn’t always mean managing a move or downsizing. Sometimes, it’s simply about showing up when someone needs a helping hand. At New Beginnings, we’re here to honour the past and embrace the future—whether that means sorting through a lifetime of memories or preparing a home for a new chapter of recovery and peace.
Debbie’s trust in us—allowing full access to her apartment while she was still in the hospital—was both humbling and a testament to the reputation we’ve built. It’s moments like these that fuel our commitment to delivering compassionate, respectful, and meaningful service. Helping Debbie come home to comfort and calm is exactly what New Beginnings is all about.
