By Jamie Lasorsa
It’s not every day we hear about companies who donate as much time, effort, and proceeds back to
their community as does Joshua Allen Design, a Sterling based interior design company who serves
clients all throughout Massachusetts.
Joshua Halterman, owner and founder of Joshua Allen Design, has a model and vision for not only
his company’s success, but also of building success for the youth within our community. Being based
in Sterling for over 5 years now, he has become well established within the Sterling and surrounding
communities and has successfully compiled a team of design specialists who are very genuine in their
excitement in joining him throughout this journey.
Providing affordable, practical, and easily attainable design services for the average homeowner is
just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to services his company provides. However, the real magic is
what he and his team do behind the scenes.
Although he has always given back to charities since the formation of his company, one of his more
recent endeavors has been teaming up with the Rise Above Foundation. The Rise Above Foundation
is dedicated to providing Massachusetts children in foster care with the opportunity to take part in
activities and events that they may not otherwise have the good fortune to participate in. A fairly new
organization, founded in 2009, Rise Above works closely with foster families to provide healthy
activities and experiences for the over 10,000 youth across Massachusetts currently in foster care.
Music lessons, sports fees, prom clothes, religious and cultural celebrations, and entertainment
outings are just a few of the many items funded through this great organization.
As with any such organization, funding is a huge part of the struggle, as there is never enough to
fulfill every need. This is where Joshua Allen Design is trying to bridge that gap. Each year, a portion
of their yearly business proceeds are donated back to Rise Above, but they don’t stop there! For the
past 2 years, you may have seen their candle fundraiser which launches on black Friday. 100% of the
proceeds from these adorable candles, branded with a hand-drawn design by Joshua’s 7-year-old son
Jordan, are donated back to Rise Above; over $5,000 has been donated through this fundraiser alone.
A new initiative, currently in the development stage, is being created to help youth who are aging out
of the foster care system. This new initiative sets these young adults up for success in their next
venture into college or onto living on their own. Joshua Allen Design has stepped up to help these
youth gain some control over their own surroundings and in helping them create a space they can truly
call their own. With donated time and materials by Joshua Allen Design, these young adults use the
unique client portal to complete a design quiz which helps to determine their design style, color and
textile preferences, and element options. These preferences are then used to create a special space
for these young adults which is then revealed to them in a true home makeover fashion.
Joshua believes so strongly in the mission of this organization, he has served for almost 2 years as
a board member. The passion which shines so strongly through him and his team as they talk about
how much Massachusetts youth are gaining from this program, is legitimately inspiring. With support
from companies like Joshua Allen Design, Rise Above is sure to continue to grow and provide even
more opportunities for these children.
I encourage everyone to check out both websites for Joshua Allen Design (joshuaallendesign.com)
and the Rise Above Foundation (weriseabove.org) to see how you can help with funding this
spectacular program, as there are multiple options available. And be sure to watch social media for
when the special candle sale launches on black Friday, you won’t want to miss your opportunity to
collect Jordan’s unique art masterpiece!