Two More Homes of Our Formerly Unhoused Neighbors Furnished
Home 1
Nina has been homeless since 2023, when she lost her car and support system. Without them, it was very hard for her to get back on track.
But get on track she did. She now has two part-time jobs; along with her previous work, she also has a job as a visual merchandiser in retail shops.
Nina has a fun spirit and is excited about life again. She loves to cook; her dream is to open a food truck business soon.
With the support of COTS she secured an apartment and was looking forward to Welcoming Home's assistance in making her new apartment a real home for her and her beloved dog, 'Ice Spice'. This "Welcoming" was sponsored by Marion Weinreb, in the name of the Max Steven Jackson Weiner Memorial Fund. Marion is on the Board of "The Living Room," and a frequent Welcoming Home sponsor.
Return Home
Entering her newly decorated apartment, Nina beamed, "Oh my goodness - thank you! It looks so different; I love it!"
She deliberately stopped in each section of the apartment, noticing the new furniture and many decorative touches. "It looks like a home now. It's beautiful."
Nina's big smiles and many thankful exclamations topped off a day of rewarding work for our Welcoming Home volunteers.
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We, and Nina, are so grateful for the sponsorship of Marion Weinreb. Sponsorship means covering the out-of pocket costs of furnishing an apartment, including professional moving costs, brand new beds, Starter Kits and any critical items not donated.
For information about how to sponsor an event, read more here.
Home 2
Karen has had a very hard life due to the fact that her parents battled addiction. She had to move from place to place ever since she was sixteen. A few years ago, she and her boyfriend moved to Arizona and had a child.
After her boyfriend made some bad choices, Karen needed help so she, along with her daughter Jaden, moved back to Sonoma County where she connected with her Aunt Vanessa, who had also experienced tough times.
Karen and her aunt have become close; together they are working to make a new start. Thanks to Keeping People Housed, they were able to move into a two-bedroom apartment with Karen's three-year-old daughter, Jaden... who loves princesses and pink!
Both Karen and Vanessa now have full-time jobs. Fortunately, another family member had stepped in to help, providing child care for Jaden while her mom works.
Karen and Vanessa weren't able to afford furniture so they were thrilled to learn that they would receive help from Welcoming Home and a generous donor who would cover all of the out-of-pocket costs of the furnishing of their place.
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Learn more about sponsoring a Welcoming Home event here.
Return Home
When Karen, Jaden and Vanessa returned home their reactions were heartfelt: "Wow, I never thought it would look like this!" "I feel like I’m living in a penthouse!" and "This is so adorable!”
A princess outfit was presented to Jaden. After trying out her new bed, she wanted to put her princess dress on. For the final photo she climbed onto her own little ottoman that was comfortable enough to lie down on!
Welcome home Karen, Jaden and Vanessa!
Special Thanks to Our Amazing Welcoming Home Volunteers
Photo 1: Caroline Brown and Annie Bowles
Photo 2: Laura Kenig, Susi Heidenreich, Annie Bowles
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.