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Amazing 9-Year-Old Builds Micro Houses for the Homeless


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I nearly started crying when I discovered Hailey Fort. She is an amazing 9 year old girl with a heart of gold!

With the help of her family, Hailey builds portable shelters and grows food for the homeless in her town. Her mom, Miranda Fort, says, “This was all Hailey’s idea.”

Four years ago Hailey started helping the homeless when she saw a homeless man on the side of the street. She asked her mom if there was anything she could do to help him. They bought him lunch and ever since then Hailey has taken it upon herself to start a garden to donate food and build micro houses for the homeless in Bremerton, Washington.

I love Hailey’s comment on growing food for the homeless, “Empty stomachs hurt. They break concentration and make the future seem impossible. Giving food is essential to creating health.”

Together we can make a difference. If you would like to donate to Hailey’s Harvest you can do so here.  Please enjoy and re-share below.

Amazing 9-Year-Old Builds Micro Houses for the Homeless

Hailey Fort

Images © Hailey’s Harvest

9 year old builds micro house 9 year old builds house for homeless Hailey's Harvest Hailey's garden Hailey building micro house installing windows in micro house micro house construction

Images © Hailey’s Harvest

VIDEO: Help Hailey’s Harvest

Resources

A big high-five to Hailey. You are awesome and we love what you are up to. Keep it up, the world needs you!

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Andrea is a contributor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the Tiny House Newsletter! She has a passion for sharing tiny and small house stories and introducing you to new people, ideas, and homes.
{ 51 comments… add one }
  • Cahow
    July 6, 2015, 6:53 pm

    Thank you, Andrea, for not only posting this article but also the link to donate, which I promptly did even prior to reading the article.

    I do NOT know if this is the same young girl that NBC news profiled 2 weeks ago or so; there were almost NO links on google to find out more. But, regardless if it’s that girl or a different girl, she exceeds ALL expectations of what the Younger Generation can do for humanity.

    I really hope that a lot of your reader’s donate to her fund. 😀

    • Alex
      July 7, 2015, 5:40 pm

      Me too! And thanks for supporting her. I’m sure those who can, will. If you can’t, no worries. We’re all not lucky enough to get to give money, but we can always give a listening ear, a smile, a laugh, etc. 😀

      • dea
        July 8, 2015, 4:25 pm

        Right-o Alex…good posting! truly, my son is 6 and enjoys seeing what other people in his age group are doing…he likes to see the “good stuff” and not just the bad…he said if more good stories are out there showing us good ideas then, kids might get in less trouble and want to help more. (yes, I made him watch the video, he got the point why and thought it was the coolest thing to do) wish we can donate(don’t believe in credit cards), but we don’t walk by the wayward either bought a lot of coffee on cold days and shared many pairs of those stretch gloves (keep an extra pair in your pocket the next time you’re out, -that 99c gloves can save someones hands) amen

  • Lynnette
    July 6, 2015, 10:55 pm

    Verklempt. ♡♡♡

    • Alex
      July 7, 2015, 5:43 pm

      Thanks Lynnette! I learned a new word 😀

      If anyone else is curious here’s the meaning I found online, “Verklempt – choked with emotion”

    • Lynnette
      July 7, 2015, 5:56 pm

      This one I even shared on Facebook. If a child of only nine years can do this; think of what the rest of us could do. I do as much as I can on a local level and I make no apologies about it. Something comfy with being liberal 🙂

  • Cahow
    July 7, 2015, 12:16 pm

    Wow. I’m really surprised by the lack of comments about this young girl.

    100’s of comments about a tiny house but NOT about this amazing girl???

    Pity.

    • Eric Williams
      July 7, 2015, 5:12 pm

      I agree. That’s sad actually. We should be burning up the air with praise of such an amazing child…. Of course, words do seem inadequate…..

    • Patty
      July 7, 2015, 5:31 pm

      She is amazing. This is the only tiny house from here I’ve shared on FB. I’m all for anyone who helps the homeless. She is especially amazing; an angel. May God bless her and her work.

      Love this website and Alex’s heart.

    • Patty
      July 7, 2015, 5:32 pm

      Oops, sorry, and you too, Andrea!

    • Cahow
      July 7, 2015, 5:33 pm

      Thanks, Eric. I’m bummed that postings about a man camping out in a friend’s backyard can generate bazillions of comments but THIS posting has…what…EIGHT measly responses, of which 3 are mine?!

      Seems our priorities are skewed. I also don’t see the usual “clamoring for floor plan” frenzy in regards to clamoring to donate to her fund raising campaign.

      I guess “Talk” IS literally CHEAP but putting your money where your mouth is actually requires some effort. What a sad commentary on the folks who frequent this site. S.M.H.

      • Sidney
        July 12, 2015, 11:22 am

        Dear Cahow, I really treasure many of your comments, but sometimes — as here — you can be a little harsh. The fact that there are not a ton of comments or the kind of outpouring that you might expect doesn’t mean that folks who follow tht don’t care a lot about what young Hailey is doing, or that they do not contribute much in their own way (and often anonymously). Please try to keep an open mind as you share your knowledge and wisdom on this site. Thanks!

      • Cahow
        July 13, 2015, 10:43 am

        Hi, Sidney. Thanks for your comment about my comment. But, I must explain: my comment looks dated NOW that there’s loads of notice to this girl but it wasn’t the case when Alex first posted this blog entry. There was much ado about a darling little house that had garnered over 134 post entries and THIS blog posting had TWO posts…two miserable responses! I found it sad that so many people were spending attention on a home that a couple built but NONE on the homes this wee lass was building. It wasn’t until much later in the week when Alex does his email “lumper” with all the links to articles that this sweet girl got the recognition she so deserves.

        I’m just providing you some context about my original post. All’s good, now. 😀

        • Alex
          July 13, 2015, 10:58 am

          Hope you two have a wonderful day 🙂

    • Alex
      July 7, 2015, 5:39 pm

      Thanks Patty you’re sweet 🙂

    • Alex
      July 7, 2015, 5:42 pm

      Yeah. It is pretty sad. And I agree- talk *is* cheap! It’s one of the easiest things to do. But on that note, not everybody is fortunate enough to have their own needs met enough to where they can give. So here’s to more of us getting there!

  • Greg Burns
    July 7, 2015, 4:01 pm

    Having been “homeless” myself for the past few years, I was moved to tears by this little gal’s beautiful gesture! GOD BLESS HER and all others who attempt to make those of us whose lives are “not doing so well” feel like human beings again! It all goes to show that THERE IS HOPE IN THIS WORLD! 🙂

  • Pat Long
    July 7, 2015, 4:45 pm

    Dear Hailey, You are a wonderful, caring little girl and I hope you do well with your project. With a start like this, I think you will go very far in life. God Bless you and keep you. I’m sending you money to help your project.
    PS. Can you share if you are creating a little city or do you protect them in safe places around town?

  • Michael
    July 7, 2015, 5:00 pm

    I feel that your well above the masses .

    I feel that you are true humanity, well above a saintly deeds

    All the best.

  • Chris B
    July 7, 2015, 5:02 pm

    How easily the young can shame us all … what an amazing story!

    —————————————

    “The hope of tomorrow is the youth of today”

    • Alex
      July 7, 2015, 5:38 pm

      Great quote, Chris, thanks for sharing 🙂

  • Eric Williams
    July 7, 2015, 5:10 pm

    Wow! She should give us all faith that the future is in good hands. I hope her parents are as proud of her as she deserves. Of course, they did something right too. I’ve got to repeat that – WOW!

    • Alex
      July 7, 2015, 5:44 pm

      I agree… her parents/family must be doing lots of things right 😀

  • Libby
    July 7, 2015, 5:14 pm

    Hailey is a noble little angel!

    • Alex
      July 7, 2015, 5:44 pm

      I have a feeling her parents are pretty darn awesome too since they haven’t stopped her!

  • Jane
    July 7, 2015, 9:29 pm

    There are angels among us!

  • Catherine
    July 7, 2015, 9:53 pm

    May God bless you and your family Hailey.

    Thanks for this Alex. You’ve made my day!!!!

    Catherine

  • olga
    July 7, 2015, 11:32 pm

    if ONE PERCENT of humanity followed in hailey’s footsteps, what a different and extraordinary world this would be! i have a new addition to my “heroes” list…

  • maria
    July 8, 2015, 1:15 am

    The heart of an angel, may God bless her and her family 10 folds. We need more kids like this, instead of spoiled brats. Thank you for posting this and restoring my faith that not all are out for themselves.

  • Rue
    July 8, 2015, 2:54 am

    How awesome! This little girl has a truly generous heart.

    Hailey is also an inspiration for girls everywhere….power tools and construction aren’t just a boys’ game. She’s not only doing good in her community, she’s showing everyone that girls are builders too!

  • Mark
    July 8, 2015, 5:35 am

    .. Someone give this girl a masters in sociology .. Hailey has a great future ahead of her and society will certainly reap the rewards ..

  • Glema
    July 8, 2015, 6:47 pm

    I have prayed for her soul though she already shows the mercy, compassion and love of the Savior. May Jesus save and cleanse her for if she isn’t already my little sister I sure hope she will become so. In Gods love for HIS glory and in JESUS name AMEN

  • Susanne
    July 9, 2015, 1:33 am

    Can’t believe how amazing that child is!
    Wonder how much of a struggle there will be with the city allowing people to use those…we can only pray …
    I will also have my children, who complain often, watch the video.

  • Janie
    July 11, 2015, 4:07 pm

    I am in AWE. What an extraordinary little girl. The fact that she is doing all of this at 9 makes it an obvious “OMG,” but the fact that she is doing all of this at all – at any age – is also profound. Growing food, building shelters WITH HER OWN HANDS just gives me goosebumps of joy. Obviously she was well brought-up (kudos’ to her parents), but she is amazing. “Shared” on FB and will go to her site to donate when I finish this post.

    • Janie
      July 11, 2015, 4:18 pm

      OK — when you go to her site, there is also a place where you can “COLLABORATE” — that is to say, offer help or ideas other than money. I am a graphic designer, so I just offered my services in that arena…whatever she needs (fliers, logo, posters, labels) WHATEVER…!! I’m seriously hoping she’ll take me up on it.

  • Brian
    July 11, 2015, 5:22 pm

    What a very special young girl, bought a lump to the throat. Thanks for sharing and cheers from Australia

  • Sidney
    July 12, 2015, 11:19 am

    Wow, what an amazing young lady! I hope she continues to work hard and inspire countless thousands by her example.

  • Alisa Carter
    July 12, 2015, 5:22 pm

    Wow! What a gifted young lady. She seems intuitive in her knowledge of how to build and grow things. It Is amazing what kids can do when they have parents who support their thoughts and ideas. Kudos to the whole family and especially this very special young lady!

  • Lova
    July 13, 2015, 9:00 am

    I agree with this amazing girl’s mom. Since this 9 year-old girl can do it, most of us can do it. I would like to see this kind of project being carried on by adults and kids, also join with homeless people. At the end, they know what they need.

  • lionel
    July 18, 2015, 10:20 pm

    La sincérité et l’énergie de Hailey ne sont possibles que par ses parents qui la soutiennent. Voilà le miracle. Il est facile dans notre mentalité de bien-pensants nord américains d’être touchés par l’engagement sincère des enfants. Mais comme adultes, nous avons une responsabilité plus grande et elle n’est pas de tomber dans la facilité de l’infantilisme.
    Du reste, qui d’entre vous demeurez dans des quartiers populaires ou des quartiers pauvres d’Amérique? Qui d’entre vous comprenez les besoins de base des pauvres de notre société française, anglaise, espagnole et portugaise de nos Amériques? Qui connaît la misère humaine et sociale de nos sÅ“urs et frères autochtones d’Amérique? Vous avez déjà visité les cimetières des réserves indiennes du continent? Les cabanes de Hailey peuvent aider Hailey à grandir et c’est la grâce qu’elle mérite. Mais nous adultes, demain, serons-nous plus grands? Aurons-nous vraiment aider à faire la différence? Sur ce site web, faisons-nous honnêtement l’éloge de la modicité, de l’humilité, avec empathie sincère? Merci, Hailey! Merci Andréa, de ce témoignage! Merci Alex, de cette tribune.

  • Dan
    March 2, 2016, 10:56 am

    How amazing. Shows that it should be the child we look up to. Not always the elders.
    Great job

  • Janp
    March 2, 2016, 11:10 am

    You go baby girl. What the world needs more of is love,concern for others, a willingness to try new things and a dream. Love what you are doing,very inspirational!!!!!

  • Cyndi Raper
    March 2, 2016, 11:21 am

    until I remarried four and a half years ago I had lived in Kissimmee Florida right in the heart of Disney for 15 years recently the city commissioners expended 6 million dollars for a concrete walkway and a big lit up sign that says Kissimmee what a tragedy that Osceola County is the leader in Florida for having homeless people we can eat Leafly spend money on a walkway that is absolutely unnecessary in the area in which it was built but we don’t take care of our homeless people we are the leader in foreclosures hair what a sad commentary to have such a young child have more heart and for science than adults seem to this young lady needs to be elevated somewhere on Ellen DeGeneres’s website I’m certain she could be showcased on Ellen Show and she could show other kids and adults in America what we need to be doing!

  • Brian
    March 2, 2016, 12:46 pm

    What an Angel this young lady is. She has seen a problem and has taken action herself. Bless her! Perhaps we can all take a lesson or two from this wonderful example of a human being. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.

  • RoSee
    March 2, 2016, 3:00 pm

    I normally just read all the great sites of tiny houses from people all over the world, but this tops it all!!
    What a story and such a great inspiration to us all. Hailey, you are God-sent and may you inspire the younger generation to do good! Way to go and keep on doing it!!

  • Kristina H Nadreau
    March 2, 2016, 3:18 pm

    this girl is excellent, and has been given good genes and parenting by the adults in her life. Integrity and compassion create great works. xoxo

  • Gabrielle Charest
    March 2, 2016, 3:30 pm

    Hailey is a true inspiration. We, as adults, need to push her ideas forward and lobby hard for zone changes that will allow Hailey-communities with tiny shelters for the homeless, a a larger communal area for cooking, dining, and personal needs. And of course, in tribute to Hailey, raised garden areas where the homeless can grow some of their own food.

  • Greg Burns
    March 2, 2016, 4:27 pm

    As a former homeless individual, I can certainly appreciate what this special little gal is doing to help save the world. In my area, a New England city of about 150,000 residents, the saying goes: “If you STARVE to death, you’re an IDIOT” (because there are an ample number of food pantries and soup kitchens around to feed almost everyone…), “But you MIGHT FREEZE TO DEATH!” (because there are so few homeless shelters available. Some only hold 20 men OR women. Others only allow you to stay “30 days ON, 30 days OFF!” And if you are even 1 minute late for the evening “role call”, you LOSE YOUR BED FOR 30 DAYS!) Last year, for 2 scary weeks, I slept in an abandoned house, which would be overrun by crack addicts around midnight. I feared for my life, but could no longer sleep outside in the frigid temperatures! What this little gal is doing, is providing a dry, safe, somewhat warmer environment in which to sleep. THANK HER & THANK GOD! If everyone just realized how BAD the homelees situation is, they would do SOMETHING! Since I was sixteen years old, I have worked, and lived a blue-collar life, always paying my bills on time, and staying out of trouble. And then, when health issues hit, and parents die, and others sibblings “take it ALL”, well, suddenly, I’m HOMELESS! As the saying goes: “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” Well, I am plenty strong now, and FINALLY, after more than FIVE YEARS of waiting and pleading, I FINALLY received some government-assisted rent in a nice old house, with nice neighbors. But I had almost given up hope of that ever happening. Goes to show you should NEVER GIVE UP HOPE! EVER! Again, thanks for this AWESOME STORY, and for allowing me to contribute to it…

  • welsh
    March 2, 2016, 4:55 pm

    How wonderful to see a young lady with the support of her family doing something so amazing. I only wish more people were like her, but I’m humbled to see this young lady making a difference in people’s lives. Thank you the world is truly blessed.

  • AVD
    March 2, 2016, 11:25 pm

    This is so cool! I just love to see kids getting their hands dirty, learning how to make things by hand and how to use power tools that carry some level of risk.

    Empower kids to create and make useful things without constantly hovering over them is a tremendous opportunity and teaching tool.

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