That 1 Painter Montgomery County mobilizes 150 volunteers for shelter refresh

That 1 Painter Montgomery County led a one-day community repaint at Nebel Street Shelter in Montgomery County, Md., on April 18, working with the Coalition for the Homeless, Sherwin-Williams and local volunteers. The project refreshed about 5,000 square feet and aimed to make the shelter feel more welcoming for hundreds of resident families.

Why it matters: - The project gave Nebel Street Shelter a faster, lower-cost refresh than a professional crew alone could likely deliver. - The repaint was meant to create a more welcoming environment for residents, staff and families at a shelter serving about 300 families. - The effort also shows how local businesses, nonprofits, volunteers and public officials can combine resources for a visible community impact.

What happened: - That 1 Painter Montgomery County owners Matt Graff and Mike Jewett led the company’s 2026 Paint It Forward project at Nebel Street Shelter on April 18. - The Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless facility houses approximately 300 families. - The event brought together 150 volunteers, plus Sherwin-Williams, local leaders, friends, family and other community supporters. - Graff and Jewett expanded on last year’s Paint It Forward project, which was held at another Coalition shelter serving roughly 200 families. - The team completed the repaint in a single day.

The details: - The project covered about 5,000 square feet of space. - Graff, Jewett, their team and Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless representatives met multiple times before the event to plan scope, volunteer structure, materials and execution. - Sherwin-Williams donated 60 gallons of paint, along with rollers, drop cloths, paper, plastic and other painting supplies. - Volunteers were split into two shifts, with 75 people working in the morning and 75 in the afternoon. - Graff, Jewett, the project manager and a Sherwin-Williams representative organized the teams and guided volunteers throughout the day. - Each shift started with basic painting training, including masking surfaces, using rollers and brushes, cutting in, applying tape and laying protective paper. - Volunteers worked alongside the That 1 Painter team to complete the refresh efficiently and professionally. - The shelter moved from a more institutional look to Sherwin-Williams Languid Blue, a warm blue shade intended to feel brighter and more comfortable. - Residents expressed gratitude after the work was completed. - Local officials, including county council members and mayors, visited during the project to talk about the shelter’s role in the community and the Coalition’s impact on local families.

Between the lines: - The project required more coordination than a standard volunteer day, but the team said the effort ran smoothly. - The volunteer count was nearly 100 higher than the previous year’s Paint It Forward project, signaling stronger community turnout and a larger scale. - That 1 Painter Montgomery County appears to be using Paint It Forward as both a service project and a relationship-building tool with organizations already embedded in the community. - The shelter upgrade also helps keep attention on homelessness services in Montgomery County, not just the physical space.

What's next: - That 1 Painter Montgomery County plans to keep using Paint It Forward to support local nonprofits, shelters, schools and community spaces. - Graff and Jewett said they hope the refreshed shelter will continue to feel more welcoming for residents while raising awareness of the Coalition’s work. - The Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless will continue providing emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing and other services for people experiencing homelessness. - That 1 Painter Montgomery County is available for interior and exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, drywall repair, pressure washing, wood repair and commercial painting across Montgomery County and surrounding Maryland communities.

The bottom line: - A one-day repaint turned into a large-scale community effort that improved a shelter used by hundreds of families and deepened ties among a local franchise, a nonprofit, volunteers and public leaders.

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