Elevating shelter through interior design

Julie Arnold began volunteering with The HALO Foundation more than 10 years ago, even bringing her kids along for the experience. As the founder of Place Interiors, Arnold has a background in interiors, product design, and art and found herself inspired by the organization’s mission of serving at-risk and homeless youth.

After building housing programs around the world for kids in need, HALO was able to devote more resources to a new multi-phase development in its hometown with the 2025 opening of the Kansas City Girls and Boys Homes and adjoining Learning Center on 37 acres near the Truman Sports Complex. The new facility is all about “raising the dignity level of a shelter for homeless youth,” says Nicole Gerken, HALO’s chief operating officer. As a long-time volunteer, Arnold once again stepped up to help, this time donating 100% of her interior design services for the new buildings.

“The intention was to elevate the design and not invoke an institutional feel, but rather to create a welcoming and enriching home environment for these youth to feel all the comforts of a home—a place to gather, feel loved, learn to cook, and have family meals together,” she adds.

And that kind of intentional design does more than just pretty up the space.

“It helps them to know they’re appreciated and that care was taken in designing a space they’ll be using,” she says. “I think emotionally that definitely plays a role in grounding them and helping them to take down those barriers, helping them feel loved and heal from everything they’ve been through in their lives.”

Arnold also plays a role in the day-to-day activities of the organization as well, first with her involvement in the art therapy workshops, and lately through her supervision of the HALO Makers program. Arnold, along with HALO staff, leads HALO youth in the production of serving trays made from reclaimed wood, which not only teaches life skills and offers therapeutic benefits but also raises money for a scholarship fund. She says she feels passionate about both HALO’s mission but also her obligation as a member of the design community to give something back.

“Volunteering fosters a human connection to local organizations, and it’s been significantly rewarding to offer my time, talent, and treasure to local nonprofits,” she notes. “Your volunteer efforts don’t have to always be design-related either; pick a nonprofit that aligns with your favorite hobby.”

The invaluable benefits of Arnold’s work have certainly been felt by HALO’s leaders and staff.

“I cannot even imagine this space without her guidance,” Gerken says. “She’s just got an eye for things. There’s a reason why we have designers in the world.”