The compensation was enough to support an ambitious new project while preserving my home and a financial reserve for its upkeep.
I worked with Eleanor, Miriam, local nonprofits, and a team of professionals to establish a small charitable organization.
We called it:
THE HAWTHORNE HOUSE PROJECT
Its purpose was simple.
To provide temporary housing, practical assistance, and a peaceful environment for people who had been displaced after caring for family members, experiencing financial exploitation, or escaping controlling domestic situations.
The name had been Miriam’s suggestion.
“Your husband built a house,” she said.
“You can build a reason for it to exist.”
We restored the stone outbuilding into a community room, office, and library.
We converted a separate former caretaker’s cottage into two modest living suites.
Later, after the necessary permits and fundraising, we began planning additional small cabins.
I hired experienced professionals to manage the services.
I wasn’t foolish enough to think that baking pies and offering a bed could solve every crisis.
