A “home” is made more comfortable when it includes not just functional furnishings, but plenty of elements of artistic expression relevant to those who live there as well. To help in that crucial part of our mission, we are thrilled to announce that we’ll have a booth to accept donated artwork at the Iowa City Arts Fest!
We are so grateful to the Summer of the Arts for this collaboration, and we can’t wait to talk to lots of community members the first weekend of June about our work. We could still use a few volunteers as well, so please reach out if you’d like to help us spread the word on June 6th/7th.
“Home” is so much more than a collection of personal items under a roof. It’s the security, comfort and psychological safety that Matthew Desmond describes as “the wellspring of personhood.” A place where we “remove our masks.” We’d like to share a special quote from a recent recipient that highlights one way this has shown up, not only in what we’re doing…but in how we go about it:
“I battle with depression and new found sobriety starting new and on the hard days waking up to an empty home would just start the day off in a depressive spiral to wake up in a furnished home helps me feel stability and practice gratefulness everyday this had a tremendous positive impact on my mental health.
(Bea) was very caring and inspiring and Kristi was very good at reading me she could tell I was embarrassed and ashamed to ask and took initiative to see what I need and made it happen I will always appreciate them and it makes me feel secure knowing people care ❤️”
In a future issue of The Frame, we will describe in more detail the efforts that go into the pre-delivery visit process that aren’t as well-known as our actual delivery days. Just know: the connections made there are what make the rest of what we do meaningful.
It is not an easy task to make them happen nearly 400 times per year. It’s a special gift for our community that Kristi and Bea can do hard things!
It’s a special gift to our community – to your community – that you make it all possible.
We want to hear from you!
The Frame is Houses into Homes’ quarterly newsletter for recurring donors. Why The Frame? Because for us, providing beds is our number one priority, and the frame is what supports everything else -- the boxspring and the mattress. In the same way, your recurring donation means that we can continue our operations with the confidence that Houses into Homes will be here long-term.