When you step into the newly renovated Rain House, you will notice more than just fresh paint and updated rooms—you will be met with something deeper, more emotional: a quiet moment of beauty.
Local artist Kendra Farstad has completed two of three murals planned for Rain House, and each brushstroke tells a story. Her work does more than decorate—it uplifts, inspires, and honors the people and stories that shape our community.
One mural features two vases filled with delicate lilacs and a small cluster of forget-me-nots, painted in memory of Laraine Desmond. Laraine, a beloved figure in our community, held lilacs close to her heart. Kendra’s tribute does more than commemorate her life—it offers a message of hope to future residents.
“Even throughout the dark gray days of winter,” Kendra writes, “the hope of spring and the life and beauty that it brings with it are eternal.” Her words—and her art—remind us that beauty can bloom in unexpected places, especially in homes like Rain House that serve as places of healing and new beginnings.
At RISE, we believe that housing is more than shelter. It’s a foundation for stability, growth, and dignity. Through thoughtful design and meaningful collaborations with artists like Kendra, we can create spaces that not only meet physical needs but also nourish the spirit.
We are grateful to Kendra for sharing her gift with us, and for using her art to lift others. Her final mural at Rain House is still to come—and if the first two are any indication, it will be another powerful expression of love, memory, and hope.
