Nonprofit Provides Furnished Homes for People Transitioning Out of Crisis

Make It Home transforms empty apartments into welcoming homes for the formerly homeless, foster youth, and others in need

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:33pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic home furnishing item such as a couch or lamp repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the diverse home goods provided by the nonprofit Make It Home to furnish homes for those in need.Make It Home's vibrant furnishings transform empty spaces into welcoming homes for those transitioning out of crisis.San Rafael Today

The nonprofit Make It Home furnishes homes for people transitioning out of crisis, providing a complete collection of furniture, accessories, and decor for every room. Founded in 2020, the organization has furnished over 700 households in the Bay Area, including 160 in Marin County and 110 in Sonoma County. Make It Home's services benefit the formerly homeless, foster youth, veterans, refugees, people with disabilities, and domestic violence survivors.

Why it matters

Providing furnished homes for people transitioning out of crisis can have a significant impact on their well-being and stability. Without basic household necessities, daily life becomes extremely difficult, and people may be less likely to engage with case managers or access vital benefits. Make It Home's work helps restore dignity and comfort, reducing the chance that people return to homelessness or other difficult circumstances.

The details

Make It Home collects gently used furniture and household goods from the community, which are then restored and curated by a team of volunteers. The organization supplies each person with a new mattress, frame, and pillow, in addition to furnishing the entire home. Volunteer interior designers ensure the spaces are functional and aesthetically pleasing. Last year, Make It Home furnished over 700 households, including 160 in Marin County and 110 in Sonoma County.

  • Make It Home was founded in 2020.
  • In 2025, Make It Home diverted almost 750 tons of furnishings from landfills.

The players

Make It Home

A nonprofit organization that furnishes homes for people transitioning out of crisis, including the formerly homeless, foster youth, veterans, refugees, people with disabilities, and domestic violence survivors.

Carolyn Flannery

The founder of Make It Home, who started the organization in 2020 after seeing a need to provide furniture for people transitioning into homes.

Zoë Neil

The chief community impact officer at Make It Home.

Allison Bainbridge

A volunteer at Make It Home for the past six years.

Sara McEvoy

A recipient of Make It Home's services, who was able to furnish her home and host family gatherings after receiving the organization's assistance.

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What they’re saying

“Once my place got furnished, I didn't have to be ashamed having people over. This past Christmas, I had all my family over, and we had Christmas in our home.”

— Sara McEvoy

“Imagine that you don't have a bed to sleep in. It's hard to get adequate rest or recovery. If you have a medical condition, it makes it harder to heal or to function. You're doing your homework without adequate lighting and eating dinner on the floor. Those are your clothes, all kept in garbage bags.”

— Carolyn Flannery, Founder, Make It Home

“Everything I got was amazing quality. I feel like when people utilize services, it's you get what you get and that's what it is, but with Make It Home, I got what I wanted.”

— Sara McEvoy

“The community we volunteer with is very special. We're helping people have a home where they can heal and live comfortably. Make It Home is not just furniture.”

— Allison Bainbridge, Volunteer, Make It Home

“A furnished space offers not only the physical benefits and practicality of it, but also the dignity that goes along with living to a standard that is socially acceptable. The dignity of a home.”

— Carolyn Flannery, Founder, Make It Home

What’s next

Make It Home is hosting a fundraiser called 'Furnish Hope' on April 26, 2026 at their Novato warehouse. The event will feature a live design competition inspired by the HGTV show 'Design Star'.

The takeaway

Make It Home's work in providing furnished homes for people transitioning out of crisis demonstrates the significant impact that access to basic household necessities can have on an individual's well-being, stability, and sense of dignity. By diverting millions of pounds of furnishings from landfills and transforming empty apartments into welcoming homes, the organization is making a meaningful difference in the lives of the formerly homeless, foster youth, veterans, and other vulnerable populations in the Bay Area.