A team from this year’s Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute plans to remodel eight bathrooms at the Beacon of Life by mid-April, part of a Room for Giving, Room for Living campaign that also will help connect the organization with other volunteers, donors, and organizations.

Beacon of Life, a transitional facility for women in the Sherman Hill neighborhood near downtown Des Moines, has been at its 1717 Woodland Ave. building since 1996. The building has had few updates and has leaky showers and toilets, broken doors and fans, and other issues.

The organization has assisted more than 5,000 homeless women in 35 years.

The nine-month Community Leadership Program is designed to raise awareness of challenges that affect the region and enhance participant leadership skills with a focus on community stewardship. Three other teams partnered with Community Youth Concepts, Youth Emergency Services and Shelter, and Central Iowa Shelter and Services.

In-kind donations can be made through the online registry and there will be multiple opportunities for volunteers who can offer assistance with plumbing, electrical, and carpentry. Cash donations may be made directly to Beacon of Life.

For more information, contact  Cheryl Tuttle, 515.669.4262 orctuttle@desmoinesartcenter.org.