We’ve all heard the phrase “it takes a village.”
Cool. But seriously—where is it?
Here’s Your Village
A Hennai Modern Home Project — in El Cerrito, CA
Hi, I’m Erica, the woman behind Hennai Modern Home and the heart behind Here’s Your Village.
For years, I worked a big career—lots of travel, lots of pressure, usually the only woman in the room. One night, my daughter looked up at me and asked, “Do you have a bully at work?” That moment stuck with me. It was the nudge I needed to choose a different life.
Since then, I’ve been rebuilding things differently—slowly, intentionally, and with way more heart. I know what it’s like to be a working parent with no local support system, to juggle it all while feeling like you’re dropping balls left and right. Maybe you’ve moved across the country. Maybe you’re also caring for aging parents. Maybe you’re just plain exhausted.
This is for you.
You shouldn’t have to spend thousands on a vacation just to feel peace. You spent all this money on a house—you deserve to love it. To pull into your driveway and feel a sense of calm, not guilt. To look at your yard and feel cared for, not overwhelmed.
That’s the heart of Here’s Your Village: Small moments of relief. Offered freely. Given with kindness.
Let’s make our neighborhoods a little softer. A little kinder. A little more like the village we all need.
-Erica
Need a Little Yard Help?
If you are a parent in El Cerrito, CA and your yard could use a little love, fill out the form below. Every month, 1–3 families in El Cerrito will receive a free MINI front yard refresh—no strings attached. It’s a quick, simple improvement from neighbors who care.
This is 100% free. You might get:
🌿 Weeding
🌸 Free or shared plants
✨ Powerwashing
🎨 Quick fixes
No catch. No judgment.
You don’t need to justify being tired, busy, overwhelmed, or out of time.
Want to Be Part of the Village?
If you’ve got a little time, a shovel, some extra plants, or just a kind heart and a willingness to show up—we want you. This is for the helpers, the fixers, the folks who’ve said “someone should do something” and are finally realizing they are someone.
You can help by sharing:
🧰 Tools or supplies (rakes, gloves, clippers, paintbrushes, containers)
🌱 Cuttings or extra plants from your yard
🕒 Your time—weeding, watering
We’ll make a difference. One yard at a time.
We’ll make a difference.
One yard at a time.
Want to Help but Don’t Have Time?
Every dollar helps. Donations will go directly toward buying tools, soil, plants, and supplies for community yard projects.
Even small contributions can make a big impact.
How This All Started
In 2020, my family started taking daily walks around El Cerrito to clear our heads—and we haven’t stopped since.
Over time, we noticed a lot more than we expected.
The houses that always have their curtains drawn.
The one where an elderly hoarder quietly disappeared and their kids began the painful process of clearing it out.
The too-fast flips with mulch dumped on top of clay soil.
The front yards with a spark of life—a kids’ toy, a tiny garden—but also weeds.
We realized something:
People need help. And most of them will never ask.
I have this strange but relentless urge to just weed as I go.
Because we shouldn’t wait until someone dies or a house is for sale to make it feel cared for.
That care should be part of daily life. Shared. Visible. Offered freely.
This is my way of doing that.
Want updates, stories, and before & afters?
Follow on Instagram @hennai_modern _home
Subscribe to emails using the form at the bottom of this page
Let’s build a neighborhood that feels like home.
El Cerrito deserves that. You deserve that.
