Home 1
Isaac lived with his loving mother in Berkeley until he was 14 but everything changed when she was incarcerated. At first he lived with his best friend’s family but eventually he was placed in a foster home.
A few years after his mother was released, she became ill. He was determined to help her navigate the challenges of her illness, spending every moment he could caring for her, making her comfort his priority. She passed away this last March just as he was aging out of the foster care system.
Issac is a kind, soft spoken young man; he was fortunate to find support through the Transitional Age Youth Program (TAY) which helps young adults with job coaching, independent living skills and housing supports. Isaac is one of the very first youths to graduate from this innovative program which allows the participant to become the architects of their own future and to live meaningful lives.
When he secured a small apartment, Welcoming Home stepped in to help fully furnish his new home to give him a fresh new start. His new life includes enrolling in Barber school and working part time.
Isaac can now envision a brighter future and is ready to carve out a path filled with promise and purpose.
Return Home
As he stepped inside, Issac felt a sense of hope and belonging he hadn’t known in a long time. It was a fresh start, a place where he could finally build his future.
“This is incredible,” he shared. “I can’t believe people would do this for me. “Thank you. Thank you so much!”
Home 2
Mike Lee was referred to us by North Marin Community Services. He has been blind since he was trapped in a house fire at the age of 12. He is now a grandfather, who has been raising his 14-year-old grandson for the last 10 years. Mike's daughter, Robin, was the boy's mother. She passed away last May. Mike has been living in his house for 25 years. Much of the furniture that was there when we first visited him has been there as long as the house. It was in very bad shape, which, of course, Mike had no way of really knowing.
Mike was a local standup comedian back in the day. He was buds with Robin Williams and used to work the comedy circuit in SF. In fact, Robin, his daughter, was named after the comedian. Scattered throughout the house are numerous "brag wall" photos of Mike with Williams and others. One of his mentors is another local comic, Michael Pritchard. Both Pritchard and Mike transitioned from comedy to motivational speaking. Mike speaks about how he has made friends with his disability and mentors others.
Mike's grandson is heavily into football. He has recently shot up 6", so none of his clothes fit. They will be visiting "Bloom" in San Rafael shortly. Also living in the home are Mike's two guide dogs, Elmer and Tudor.
The little family of two (well, four) really needed some fresh, stable furniture. In particular, the grandson needed a place that he could feel proud to call home.
Return Home
Mike’s helper escorted him into the home when the refurnishing was completed. She took him from room to room, putting his hands on the new pieces and explaining how everything looked. Mike's smile grew broader and broader with each room.
His grandson made a beeline for his bedroom, pronouncing it “way cool.“ The first thing he did was take a framed picture of his mother and put it on the “new” nightstand next to his bed. He then gave a double thumbs up to the volunteers.
