Designing nurseries and kids’ spaces is a luxury. I feel incredibly lucky that I get to do interior design for my career, something that I love and that brings me joy. What brings me even greater joy, however, is the ability to help others. Sometimes it’s as small as seeing a client’s face light up when she sees her finished nursery, and other times it’s reaching out to those who need it most.
Photo courtesy of A Sense of Home
I came across A Sense of Home by chance several months ago and knew that I needed to get involved. Their purpose is something that I feel a deep sense of connection to, and they are doing their part to enrich our community by passing along a message of paying it forward. A Sense of Home helps foster youth who have aged out of foster care get into apartments and furnish their new spaces with furniture and decor, giving them a real sense of home. There are around 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system and upwards of 35,000 age-out each year, many with children of their own.
Photo courtesy of A Sense of Home
I had the incredible experience of volunteering with ASOH to help create a home for an amazing former foster youth and her four children. The day was filled with passion, hard work, tears and laugher as the staff (mostly former foster youth themselves) and volunteers carried in furniture, hung artwork and decorated the kids’ rooms for this deserving family.
Photo courtesy of A Sense of Home
Want to help? Here’s how:
1. If you are local to Los Angeles, you can donate lightly used furniture, decor and home items. You can see a list of the items they need most below. You can also volunteer to be part of a home creation!
2. If you’re not local, but still want to help, you can donate directly to the organization via their website.
3. If you know a company that might want to sponsor ASOH or donate products, connections are much appreciated.
4. Help us spread the word! Tell your family and friends, post on your social media and help get the word out.
A huge thanks to some great baby and kid’s companies who have sent donations already! Gosili sent some silicone placemats, ergoPouch sent some of their adorable sleep swaddles, MAM sent a big box of baby bottles and b.box sent some of their fun and colorful feeding products. Thank you so much!
A list of much needed items that you can create with your community.
If you have any questions, please email me!
