Home 1
Rosa and her family were referred to us by North Marin Community Services; they are now in Home 1.
For the last 17 years they lived in the same apartment in Marin. Suddenly, a few weeks ago, their apartment building was red-tagged for construction defects, roach infestation and serious mold. Almost all of their furniture and personal belongings were totally ruined.
The family had just moved to a safer complex nearby and had to start all over again; they couldn't afford to replace their furniture.
This move was complicated by Rosa falling and breaking her hip. We found her a nice recliner, which was delivered even before we were able to furnish the rest of the apartment. She was more comfortable, but that was the only piece of furniture in the living/dining room.
Rosa and her husband are parents to three sons and a daughter. Their youngest son, 17, lives with them and will graduate from high school next June. Rosa loves to cook and was looking forward to having the equipment she needed to continue to make delicious meals for her family.
Return Home
When the family arrived at the apartment, our Welcoming Home team, tired but happy, greeted them with big smiles. As Rosa and her husband first stepped into their new home and saw the transformation, tears rolled down their cheeks; her husband repeatedly touched his heart.
The dining room table donor provided eight matching chairs, ready for all family members to join for dinners, too.
Along with the recliner we provided earlier, another special donation was the sleeper loveseat that means there would always be a comfortable place in the living room for a visiting family member to get a good rest.
Rosa’s kitchen is now equipped with a new microwave oven, toaster, blender, electric tea kettle, new knives and pans, ready for her to work her magic.
This family treasures family pictures, so we created a beautiful photo wall for them, which they loved.
As they expressed thanks, the family presented the WH team with a beautiful card. Inside were two thoughtful notes expressing gratitude—one in English and one written by another family member in Spanish:
To all the staff at Welcoming Home:
We feel blessed that ANGELS like you are giving us this help, even though we're not your family, you're acting as if we are.
We're so grateful to everyone who has made this dream a reality.
You’ve made a lasting difference in our lives, and we will never forget the care and thought you put into turning our house into a real home. And thank you to the donors and for all the donations.
From the bottom of our hearts,
The Pérez family.
Home 2
Eduardo and his family live in Home 2. They were referred to us by North Marin Community Services. The furnishing of their home was sponsored by the Destino Fund. We, and the family, are so grateful for this generous donor.
Eduardo is originally from Guatemala; he moved here when he was a teenager. He and Marisela met and fell in love online while she was still living in Guatemala. Marisela moved here and the couple married three years ago. They initially moved in with family members.
Eleven months ago, they welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Edwin. Edwin has a serious medical condition and needs special care and attention, so Marisela stays home to care for him. Sadly, one of the family members with whom they were staying became physically abusive, forcing them to move and seek refuge in a shared apartment where the family lived in just one room.
When the owner of the apartment began bringing home a crowd of heavy drinkers, the space no longer felt safe for the family so they were forced to flee once again.
Thankfully, their social worker was able to help them find their own apartment; the couple were now looking forward to bringing up their son in a space where they feel safe.
Return Home
The moment they stepped through the front door, the young family was overcome with joy at how their apartment had been transformed. Their delight filled the home; they loved it.
Seeing the bedroom, complete with new toddler bed and lots of dressers and cubbies for storage, they could do nothing but smile. They examined the brand new high chair, a car seat and beautiful new, bilingual baby books waiting for them; their eyes shone with tears of joy and disbelief.
Our volunteer team shed a few tears of our own as we left -grateful that we were able to make this transformation happen through the efforts of Welcoming Home and our community donors.
Home 3
Welcoming Home was happy to support Ana, a 22-yr-old single mom, and her six-month-old son. They were referred to us by Marin County Health and Human Services and are now living in Home 3.
Motivated to build a better and more stable life for her little boy and herself, Ana recently moved into a small, one-bedroom apartment, along with her parents and two younger brothers, ages 10 and 14. Both of her parents are working; Ana is looking forward to attending College of Marin in the fall.
Keeping the family living and working together is their priority. They decided it would be easier for them if they could support each other with childcare and household responsibilities.
Ana and her parents expressed their sincere appreciation for the support they were about to receive from Welcoming Home. And we were eager to create a warm and cozy home for all of them to enjoy.
Return Home
We must admit that it took quite a creative effort and special items to make their small space comfortable and functional for a family of six. But we believe we succeeded.
Ana and her family were overjoyed as they stepped into their newly furnished apartment. Moving from room to room, each of them discovered something new—sparking laughter, surprise, and delighted squeals.
Ana’s younger brothers lit up when they spotted their new bunk bed, dressed in comforters in their favorite colors and throw blankets sporting the logos of their beloved soccer teams.
When Ana realized that the new sofa converted to a bed for her parents, she was moved to tears. “You have no idea how much it means to me that my parents and my brothers can now sleep in real beds, instead of on the floor. My family has supported me through a very difficult time in my life and I am just so grateful that now we can all be together in a real home. This is everything I dreamed of giving my family but couldn’t. Thank you so much for creating a warm, safe, and loving space for all of us."
Home 4
Mihir, his brother, Raahi, and their uncle are making a new life for themselves in Home 4. They were referred to us by North Marin Community Services
Mihir, who is from India, recently became a US citizen. He is currently disabled from a bad fall. While working as a caregiver for a mentally unstable man, he was attacked and fell several feet onto concrete. He is focusing hard on physical therapy so that he can return to work soon.
Mihir's brother, Raahi, is currently working and looking forward to going to college soon.
Their uncle, also named Mihir, had a similar traumatic work experience that left him badly injured. While working as a gas station attendant, he was attacked by a man during a robbery attempt; he has been unable to work since.
These men were so grateful to be out of shelters and in a stable environment where they could heal and return to work.
Return Home
Mihir and his uncle were truly overwhelmed when they returned to the apartment. Mihir had been fantasizing about morning coffee on a sofa, and thanks to our generous donors, we were able to fulfill that dream. They were touched enough for Mihir to send the following note that same evening:
"I just want to say a huge thank you from the bottom of my heart. The way you helped me with my apartment is unbelievable—everything looks so beautiful, warm, and full of life, and I absolutely love it all.
You didn’t just bring me furniture, you gave me comfort, dignity, and a true home.
I truly appreciate your kindness, generosity, and dedication. You made such a powerful difference in my life and I will never forget it."
Not to be deterred when the sofa wouldn’t fit around the entryway, the fabulous team from Birch Circle Movers made it work!