Thousands of Americans have felt the pain of foreclosure in recent years. But Knoxville resident Heather Finney has turned that negative reality into something good.

Finney said she never planned on renovating a house until she stumbled upon a foreclosed home six years ago.

Thinking it would be a good investment, she bought the home. Finney moved in, fixed up the dilapidated house, then decided to renovate again.

She found two more foreclosed homes in the neighborhood and renovated them as well.

Because of her work, the Knoxville neighborhood that was once falling apart, is now coming back to life.

"I really wasn't focusing on sprucing up the neighborhood," Finney explained.

"I do like the neighborhood and I do like to make sure my house looks acceptable, because I think it contributes to taking care of the community," she said.

Finney's impact has also gone beyond her neighborhood.

When she's finishes renovating the houses, they are rented out and part of the proceeds go to charity, including a local widow and orphan home and the Joy of Music School in Knoxville.