In 1986, Peace Corps volunteer and architect Bob Walker, along with a group of fellow Peace Corps volunteers, sought a social activity that utilized their experiences to benefit the community. They began by refurbishing an elderly minister?s home right in their town of Dallas. The next year, they tackled nine more homes. Soon after, Hearts & Hammers was born. Following his 1997 relocation to the Twin Cities, Mr. Walker created the Minnesota chapter of Hearts & Hammers, which continues to expand its work annually.

We are proud to report that Hearts & Hammers has grown from one home painted by twenty-four volunteers to thousands of volunteers who have refurbished thousands of homes across the Twin Cities and Dallas.