Hearts and Hammers : About Us

Our History

In the 1970s, Bob Walker served as a Peace Corps volunteer architect in Bahrain where he designed and built low-income housing. Several years later, while living in Dallas, he and the local chapter of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers decided to renovate an elderly minister's home. They were looking for a bonding experience that would allow them to utilize their Peace Corps experience for the benefit of their community.

The following year nine homes were rehabbed and Hearts & Hammers - Dallas was born. Mr. Walker recognized the overwhelming need for home rehab among people that had the most difficult time affording and/or performing such improvements: the elderly, disabled and those immediately above or below the poverty level.

Hearts & Hammers - Dallas has attracted notable supporters such as President George W. Bush, who was actively involved as chairman of the organization from 1990-94. Since its founding in 1987, Hearts & Hammers - Dallas has rehabbed over 1,200 homes in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. The organization is now more than 3,000 volunteers strong and continues to prosper in Texas. The Dallas-Ft. Worth chapter has received national and regional recognition for its efforts.

Following his relocation to the Twin Cities, Mr. Walker created the second chapter of Hearts & Hammers. Since its creation in 1997, Hearts & Hammers - Twin Cities has rehabbed 92 homes. In 2006, the organization will coordinate approximately 1,200 volunteers from more than 30 different organizations to refurbish 25 homes throughout the Twin Cities.

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