Sign up link for needed items:

In early October, Welcomiing Home will be furnishing the home of Maritza and her teenaged daughter, who fled a very abusive situation without time to take anythiing with them. Thanks to North Marin Community Services (NMCS), they were able to move into an apartment where they feel safe. But they now need furniture. Please see the list of items needed below and donate what you can. A generous local couple has stepped in to sponsot the Welcoming – covering the costs of out-of-pocket expenses: moving costs, new beds, a starter kit and any critical items not donated. Maritza is so grateful to NMCS and to Welcoming Home donors for giving her and her daughter a new start.

SUG link for needed items:

Jessica is a wonderful woman who is excited to begin a new chapter in her life. She lives in Home 1. After living in a shared situation that became unsafe, Jessica received support from North Marin Community Services and was able to move into her own apartment, giving her the safe and stable home she had been working toward. Jessica has also found a great job as a mail courier, allowing her to support herself and build a more independent future. She shares her new home with her very sweet dog, Juicy, who is her constant companion and truly feels like family. When Jessica moved into her apartment, it was completely empty. She is looking forward to having a home that feels safe, comfortable, and welcoming for both herself and Juicy. Welcoming Home’s support will help turn her empty apartment into a true home—a place where she can feel settled, continue building her independence, and enjoy this exciting new chapter together with her beloved dog.

Karina moved from Guatamala to Marin two years ago to be closer to her extended family. Home 2 is where they live. Since then, she and her husband, Andres, and their 3-year-old son have moved several times, sharing a single room in someone else’s home. With so little space, they had few belongings and no furniture of their own; all three shared one bed. With support from North Marin Community Services, the family recently secured a place of their own. It’s a small home, but a meaningful step toward stability and a fresh start for Karina, Andres, and their little boy. Like many of the individuals Welcoming Home serves, Karina and Andres have faced significant challenges on their path to stability. Now, they’re looking forward to creating a warm, welcoming home for their family. Andres works as a gardener, while Karina cares for their young son, Jose, who loves Disney’s Cars. Karina’s mom visits often and the family loves cooking together. Once the family is settled, Karina hopes to find part-time work. Karina and Andres are deeply grateful to Welcoming Home for helping transform their empty apartment into a warm and

After many years of moving from place to place and working hard to care for himself and the people he loves, Mark is beginning a new chapter in Marin. He lives in Home 3. Mark has always been someone who tries to make things work. Over the years, he lived in several communities, sought out new opportunities, and did his best to create stability. When his mother became seriously ill, he moved to Sacramento to care for her. For more than a year, he was there for her during a difficult time—helping her through her health challenges until she was able to recover. As he worked to support himself, Mark learned to drive and built a livelihood as a rideshare and delivery driver. He took pride in working long hours and being independent. Then, a serious car accident changed the course of his life. Mark sustained injuries that required surgeries and ongoing medical care, making it impossible for him to continue the work that had supported him. Because his medical providers were in San Francisco, Mark came to Marin to be closer to the care he needs. He is now working toward greater stability while managing his recovery and navigating the challenges of starting over. For Mark, having a safe place to call home is an important step—but an empty apartment does not yet feel like home. He needs the basic furnishings that will allow him to rest, heal, prepare meals, and create a comfortable, welcoming space of his own. A bed to sleep in, a table where he can share a meal, a chair to sit in, and the everyday essentials of a furnished home can make a profound difference for someone rebuilding after so much change. With support from Welcoming Home donors, Mark can transform an empty space into a home that supports his recovery, independence, and hope for the future. Every donated item and every contribution helps make that fresh start possible.

Home 4 is where Melissa and her family live. In November 2024, Melissa arrived from Guatemala with her two children, a 14-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son, alongside members of their extended family. At first, they all shared a single room in a house rented by Melissa’s brother. When he needed to move, she was faced with finding a new place for her family to begin building a life of their own. With the help of North Marin Community Services, Melissa secured a two-bedroom apartment, which she now shares with her sister, brother-in-law, and their child. While Melissa works as a cashier at a local market, Katie is now in 11th grade and enjoys playing basketball whenever she can. Colin, now a fourth grader, loves soccer and watching basketball. After leaving Guatemala and navigating a year filled with enormous change, this apartment offers Melissa and her family a place to settle into their new community. For them, home means having a space where the children can grow, their family can remain close, and a new chapter can begin.