Victory One's Makeover

The existing kitchen, which looked like it belonged in a high school teachers' lounge, was modified and retooled with quartz countertops, cabinets, and Cuisinart appliances—all provided by Lowe's.

"It's a total transformation, artistically done, and it will be well used," says resident Robert Ralston, a 72-year-old saxophone player who, back in the day, jammed with jazz legends such as Art Blakey and Max Roach. "I'd stopped coming down here as much, but now I could live here. It's a nice room, and we're going to fill it with our spirit."