Georgia fills foster kids’ apartments with love!
Growing up in foster care is hard enough. But after aging out of the system, many young people struggle to furnish their first place. That’s why Georgie Smith fills their homes with furniture—and love!
Do you think you can help?
Georgie Smith read the e-mail again. A Los Angeles designer, she’d recently decorated a space that a friend had posted online— and now Barry, a 23-year- old young man who had aged out of the foster care system, was reaching out.
He was proud and excited to move into his fi rst place, but he didn’t have much. The empty apartment didn’t feel like home.
When Georgie arranged to meet him, she noticed the walls were bare. That his few belongings were stuffed into black trash bags. And that, without a table or bed, he would have to eat and sleep on the floor.
With no family, there’s no one to go to for help or handme- downs, Georgie realized. Then it struck her: Perhaps the whole community could be his family!
Furnishing hope
Thatnight, Georgie posted on Facebook. This wonderful young man needs furniture. He’s fending for himself with nothing . . .
Blessedly, it didn’t take long until friends were reaching out.
“Does he need any pillows?” one asked.
“I have an amazing dining table and four chairs that have just been waiting for the right home!” another offered.
Other folks began donating bookcases, a couch, even bed linens. And within 24 hours, Barry had everything he needed!
Georgie even gave Barry a cooking lesson, sharing tips on meal planning and budgeting.
“Moving into my fi rst apartment, I felt like I had nothing and no one. But you made this place a home!” Barry told Georgie.
Overwhelmed by his gratitude, Georgie realized Barry must not be alone. Foster kids are often bounced from one place to the next. But they deserve a sense of belonging and stability— a place to feel safe, be themselves and build a future! she thought. And with that, A Sense of Home (Asenseofhome.org), a nonprofit to help former foster kids set up their homes, was born.
A Sense of Home
Asword spread and the community continued to donate, social workers, lawyers and workers at transitional homes began referring young adults to Georgie. Growing up, 24-yearold Max had lived in 20 foster homes, then spent time “couch surfi ng” before moving into her own apartment. But without any furniture, the college student was sleeping on the floor—until a social worker referred her to A Sense of Home, where volunteers transformed her apartment. Peering inside, Max smiled, “I’m so looking forward to sleeping in a bed tonight . . . I’m going to sleep like a princess!” It didn’t matter to Ciara what was in her apartment— at least not for herself. But, a single mom, she wished she could give more to her kids. Then A Sense of Home decorated the children’s room with pops of pink, white and gray. They even put artwork on the wall that said: “This is my happy place!”
“You gave my kids beds— and they’ve never had beds before. Now they’re going to know what having a home is!” Ciara beamed.
Anthony had just earned his degree from UCLA when he landed a job and secured an apartment— an empty apartment.
But after A Sense of Home provided essentials like a desk, sofa and dresser, Anthony’s space became an inviting retreat.
“For the fi rst time in years, I wasn’t worried about what I didn’t have,” Anthony says.
For Quin, completing her graduate degree in social work would mean she could help others. But it wasn’t easy scraping by on her entry-level salary.
When A Sense of Home adorned her walls with travel-themed artwork and covered the cold tile floors with cozy throw rugs, Quin raved, “This feels like a sanctuary!”
Mitsu, who spent 16 years in the foster care system, agreed. After A Sense of Home fully furnished his apartment, he marveled, “Seeing my place decorated for the fi rst time was indescribable. What a sense of comfort and warmth! It means the world to me!”
Today, Georgie and over 1,500 volunteers have furnished more than 200 homes for foster youth. Every recipient happily pays it forward, helping decorate someone else’s space. And at each housewarming, Georgie’s heart nearly bursts with love.
“It’s not about the furniture. It’s hearing someone say, ‘I never knew this much love existed,’ ” Georgie smiles. “It’s about love, hope and giving people the ability to dream bigger than they’ve ever dreamed before!”