Paint takes blah out of service

Published 9:37 pm Wednesday, November 5, 2008

EVERETT — Joan Kartak Adams is a firm believer in the power of a new coat of paint.

As a volunteer and chairwoman of Painting a Better Tomorrow, she has lent her brush to various charitable organizations throughout the area.

This year she wanted to get personally involved in something a little closer to home — or in this case, across the street.

“We are always looking for projects, and we always look for something near our building in north Everett,” Kartak Adams said. “Recovery for Life Training Center seemed like a great places to invest in locally.”

Admittedly, the Recovery for Life Training Center needed a face lift, said founder Judy Hoff.

The old church had been renovated over the years to meet the needs of the changing ministry.

Paint, however, didn’t seem like a very big priority — even if Hoff couldn’t stand the institutional colors.

“Beige, beige, beige everywhere,” Hoff said. “Everything was beige before. The whole place was beige. Very drab.”

Some people may scoff at the idea that a mere coat of paint can really change anyone’s attitude, but Kartak Adams said it can make a house feel like a home.

“I think it’s well known the psychological effect our environment can have on us,” she said. “The drab, dreary colors in the Recovery for Life building have been there for a while.”

Kartak Adams showed up Saturday with fellow volunteers and color coordinator Renee Adsitt.

The goal — to create a colorful environment that would reflect the good works being done inside the building.

“Now in our sanctuary we have a bright, blue sky; bright and cheerful,” Hoff said. “It gives the facility a new lease on life, but it gives the people who come here a new outlook. It’s huge.”

This year Kartak Adams and her organization took on 11 projects throughout Snohomish and King counties.

Next year they plan on tackling 15 projects.

“Every year this program just keeps getting bigger and better,” she said. “This year we exceeded our goals.”

Reporter Justin Arnold: 425-339-3432 or jarnold@heraldnet.com.