Westminster Presbyterian Church of Tiburon Sponsored Welcoming
For the second year in a row, Westminster Presbyterian Church of Tiburon sponsored a "Welcoming Home" for a formerly homeless family. As you'll see in the pictures below, their awesome volunteer crew, led by Carol Coffman, transformed an empty apartment into a warm and cozy home.
About the Family
Vivian has dealt with very hard times these last few years. She lost her car and her job as a result of an accident. In addition, she learned she was unable to rely on what she thought was her support system. She had to constantly move to find safe places for herself and two daughters to stay. She felt "betrayed by people I thought loved us but didn’t."
Finally, she found an apartment a year ago. Since she could not afford to furnish it, it's been virtually empty since then, except for a broken couch and mattresses she was able to find curbside. With nowhere to sit, she and her two adorable daughters have been eating their meals on the steps leading to the two bedrooms on the second floor.
Vivian is determined to make a better life for her family and is currently interviewing for jobs at retail stores.
Her two daughters are bright and engaging; you’d never know what they have been through. The 8-year-old wants to be a police officer and the 13-year old wants to be a hairstylist or attorney.
The Story Behind the Painting
This stunning piece was generously donated by a woman from San rafael who shared the powerful story behind it.
Over a decade ago, this donor was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer; her health outlook was grim. In the midst of that devastating news, her husband left.
During a visit from her parents, they went out shopping and her mother spotted this painting. She turned to her daughter and said, "You need this...to remind you that you are courageous, fierce and strong. You will get through this." And she did!
Today, healthy and thriving, she passed this meaningful artwork along to the new Welcoming Home family—offering them the same message of strength, hope and resilience that carried her through her darkest days
Return Home
The family was so excited to see the transformation when they arrived home. Mom cried happy tears and her eight year-old daughter couldn’t believe her new room.
"Everyone is beyond happy! You guys are the best. I'm feeling truly blessed."
The 14-year-old was over the moon about her hot pink room, a dream come true. "Thank you, that’s so tight!”
(p.s. The family had never used their outdoor space and didn’t ask for anything there, mom was so happy to have the new table, chairs and outdoor rug. She plans to spend more time out there now that it’s a usable and friendly space.)
Westminster Presbyterian Church Volunteers
A few days after the Westminster Presbyterian Church volunteers finished their work, Carol Coffman, their leader for the project, sent them this touching message:
When you think of your own home as your anchor and the foundation from which you move through the world, stop and realize the gift you have given to this family. When you see the before pictures, you will realize it already was a safe place, off the streets and out of the elements, but it was not a “home.” We believe and hope this is now a place where the family is happy to return home each day, where they are able to relax and enjoy being together, so they can turn their attention to moving on with their journeys through life. You have provided them with dignity, comfort and place where they no longer feel “less than” but instead, just like other families.
About Sponsored Welcomings
"Sponsorship" means paying for the brand new mattresses, box springs and frames; the cost of the movers; the Starter Kit of necessary items that the individual or family needs in the short term, and any needed items that aren't donated. To enable us to help more people, we need more organizations, groups of friends, schools, etc. to sponsor Welcomings.
Click here or contact info@welcominghome.org for more information.