Story UpdatesWhere Are They Now?
Laura’s Welcoming - August 2022
Laure and her two daughters are still living in the same apartment Welcoming Home furnished for them almost four years ago — and they’re still using the same furniture. When we first met them, the family had been living in a hotel, sleeping on the floor, with no belongings. They had fled domestic violence, only to have had mold infest their temporary landing spot.“Having our home furnished was such a blessing to us, especially during that time in our lives,” Laura said. “We had absolutely nothing. But Welcoming Home didn’t just give us furniture you gave us a sense of security and safety we hadn’t felt in a very long time.”Laura’s Welcoming - August 2022
Deanna’s Welcoming - February 2023
Deanna, too, is still living in the same home we furnished three years ago, again with much of the original furniture. She raved about the beds, which she said are still super comfortable. Today, Deanna gives back to the community as a counselor for a local nonprofit in a crisis stabilization unit and a crisis residential unit. Recently, she suffered a stroke and is now on the road to recovery. She remains positive and looks forward to returning to the work she loves.“We had nothing when we moved in,” Deanna said. “You made it homey. We remember you and really appreciate it to this day. Thank you.Deanna’s Welcoming - February 2023
Gloria, Lorenzo and their two children
A couple of years ago, Marin Country Day School sponsored its first Welcoming for a family of four. (They have since sponsored two more Welcomings.) When the family first moved into their apartment, they were sleeping on the floor. With limited resources and a daughter with special needs, they were doing their best—but struggling. North Marin Community Services referred them to Welcoming Home; their apartment was fully furnished shortly afterward.“That day changed everything for us, from day to night,” said Lorenzo. “There are no words to describe what we felt.”“Our daughter was so emotional when she saw her new pink, princess-themed room,” Gloria said. “She was thrilled. And when she’s happy, we’re happy.”While their daughter still faces serious health challenges, now both children can invite friends over, do homework comfortably, and feel proud of where they live.“We feel more at peace,” Gloria said. “It inspires us. From one day to the next, you transformed our lives. Organizations like yours give people hope.”The family has committed to give back to their community however they can. As they told us, “You can always help—in some way.”
Victoria, her husband and two sons
Last year, Mission San Rafael Rotary sponsored a Welcoming for a family recovering from a serious traumatic event. This family was also referred to us by North Marin Community Services.Victoria’s youngest son, who is now 19, was stabbed multiple times outside a local school in a case of mistaken identity. He was critically injured and underwent 24 surgeries. When we checked in with the family a couple of weeks ago, they were still living in the same home we furnished with all the furniture just as we left it. Victoria told us how, after the trauma they endured with her son, she had felt there was little hope for them. She had worried about where they would live and how she would take care of her son. Welcoming Home, she said, provided not just furnishings, but optimism for their future. Her son recently had to have yet another surgery but he is recovering well and continuing to improve. Victoria reiterated how thankful she was for Welcoming Home's assistance and Mission San Rafael Rotary’s sponsorship.She, too, like Gloria and Lorenzo, offered to help if there was an opportunity. And Mission San Rafael Rotary, for their part, will once again be sponsoring the furnishing of another formerly homeless family’s home this coming November.Victoria, her husband and two sons
Checking in with Juan and Julian
We recently did one of our regular check-ins of past Welcoming Home clients with Juan, whose apartment the Novotny Family so generously sponsored last year. He and his son, Julian, are still living in the same home in Novato, and they very much appreciate the comfort and stability that the sponsored furnishing of their home provided. Juan said they still have all the furnishings provided—except for the white rug in his bedroom, which he found impossible to keep clean
Juan has faced challenges due to his chronic health condition, which prevented him from working for a time. Thankfully, he has recently returned to a restaurant job in Novato, which he really enjoys. Julian, who turns 13 in April, is thriving—attending middle school and continuing to play his favorite sport, basketball.Juan expressed how deeply Welcoming Home changed their lives. Having a fully furnished home gave them not just comfort, but also dignity and stability during a difficult time. He remains incredibly grateful to the sponsoring family and the volunteers who made this possible.