Hearts and Hammers Twin Cities

Restoring Homes. Touching Lives.

Hearts & Hammers provides free exterior home improvement assistance for seniors, veterans and the physically disabled.

Hearts & Hammers assists low-income homeowners struggling with deteriorating home exteriors. Often these neighbors face the reality of losing the place they love. We provide free exterior restorations to keep that from happening.

Our History

In 1986, Peace Corps volunteer and architect Bob Walker, along with a group of fellow Peace Corps volunteers, sought a social activity that utilized their experiences for the benefit of the community. They began by refurbishing an elderly minister’s home right in their town of Dallas. The next year, they tackled nine more homes. Soon after, Hearts & Hammers was born. Following his 1997 relocation to the Twin Cities, Mr. Walker created the Minnesota chapter of Hearts & Hammers, which continues to expand its work annually. 

We are proud to report that Hearts & Hammers has grown from one home painted by twenty-four volunteers to thousands of volunteers who have refurbished thousands of homes across the Twin Cities and Dallas. 

 On July 25, nearly 40 volunteers rallied together to transform the longtime home of Jean McLaren, a 69-year-old Minneapolis resident and lifelong member of the community. Perkins & Will generously sponsored the project day, with additional volunteer support from Emanuelson-Podas. Team Captain Jared Kaesmeyer led the charge.  

ean’s home holds a unique place in the neighborhood’s history – according to her, it’s one of the original homes in the area and was physically relocated in the early twenties to make way for the construction of Roosevelt High School. Jean has lived there for 37 years, and thanks to the volunteers, it now shines with renewed life.

“I am still in complete awe looking at my stunning home,” Jean shared. “There is still such goodness… (such) kind-hearted people… I will definitely be paying this forward.”