About a year ago, I noticed Facebook posts regarding Journey Home and Making a House a Home. As a family, we had been looking for an opportunity to volunteer our time together and are so glad that we chose Journey Home. The concept of combating homelessness and helping to provide the structure (literally and figuratively) is so very important to help others move forward and was exactly what we had been looking for.

The first task I did was to help to provide a Thanksgiving meal for a newly housed family. Baking while using several of my late grandmother’s recipes made the experience even sweeter as it brought back great memories for me as well. Soon after that we began to help collect furniture and household goods for Making a House a Home and were honored to be able to volunteer on our first “move-in” day shortly thereafter. It is almost indescribable the feeling we get when we help to transition a sometimes totally empty apartment into a comfortable living space. Equally as difficult to put into words is the looks and hugs of gratitude we get when leaving a new home.

During these deliveries, a new idea was developed. Many of the parents/caregivers we serve can’t afford the luxury of buying toys for their children. While on the surface toys aren’t a necessity, delivering a few toys, books, games, etc during move-in days would brighten the children’s days and would, for sure, be appreciated by the parents/caregivers. After just one Facebook post, the donations began pouring in and our basement has become the storage area for toys, games, puzzles, books, and more. A bag of age-appropriate items will be included in every delivery to a family with children. Our first such delivery is planned for this weekend and we cannot wait to see the looks on the children’s faces when we deliver each a bag of playthings!

We are so grateful to be able to be a part of this wonderful organization and have the opportunity to help to repair the world.

-Amy Pinette on behalf of the Pinette Family (Amy, David, Eliza, and Lillie)