Community Furniture Bank
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Dear Chris & Community Furniture Bank,

I am writing this letter of appreciation to you for the service you and your agency provide to the people in our community, and to my clients in particular.

Over my 13 years being a social worker for the mentally ill, one of the most challenging of all the barriers I face is not only accessing suitable, affordable housing, but being able to come up with deposits for the housing and utilities, as well as first months rent. As most of my clients are on an extremely limited budget, for them to be able to come up with the money for those things all at once is rare, if not impossible, without community assistance. However, even if those roadblocks are conquered, I have always been left with the question of how to provide them with furniture, a bed, sheets, blankets, lamps, a blanket, kitchen utensils & dishes, etc., and this is where, (thank goodness!) you come in.

Most people have accumulated these things over time, but for most of my clients, they have never had any of these things, and they do not have family or friends that are either willing or able to assist, so it is up to me to find the answer. In the past, I would beg my friends, family and co-workers for these things, or attempt to find things at thrift stores or garage sales, or put things aside that I no longer need. Rarely have I been able to provide a client with all they need as soon as they move in, and more often than not, they were sleeping on the floor and eating out of a can until I could eventually get all the things they needed, or housing would be put off until we could locate these things.

Over the past 5 years that I've had the pleasure and honor of knowing you and working with your organization, and you have been a lifesaver to me and the population I serve. You have always answered my calls within hours, if not minutes of the time I contacted you, and have provided me with an appointment no more than a week out to bring my client in to pick out what they want and need.

For my clients, many of whom have nothing, it is like Christmas. And for the first time in years, if not ever, they have a place to call their "home" and their own self-chosen things to go in it. You have no idea what this does for their self-esteem and pride, and nothing makes me happier than to have been a partner in their success.

The other barrier I have faced was once I was able to locate a bed, furniture, etc was how to get it to where I needed it to be. (Let's just say I am happy to have understanding family and friends who are willing to let me borrow their trucks if I needed to!) Now that I have access to the Community Furniture Bank, that issue has dissipated as well. Not only are my clients able to get the things they need, but you will deliver it as well for those that have no other way to get it there. And NEVER, in 5 years, have you not had it delivered and set up for the client within a weeks (but more often days) time frame. And for years you did it all by yourself, from appointments and scheduling to pick ups and deliveries- quite frankly you are amazing!!

In conclusion, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for breaking the mold and having the fortitude to not only recognize there was a need, but to start an agency on your own to address it. Not only do you you do all those things, you also treat EVERY person, regardless who they are or where they come from, with the utmost in kindness and respect.

Thank you again for all you do. Please know it is appreciated more than you will ever know.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Dempsey,BSW Case Manager UAB TASC Mental Health Court Program

 

“I am a case manager here at SODA CAP Plus program (Street Outreach to Drug Abusers and Community Aids Prevention). I would like to express my sincere appreciation to you, your staff, and those who donate for helping our clients, many of whom have not had a stable place to live in years. Almost all are on fixed incomes and utilize government assistance to make ends meet. I really hope your program continues to flourish, as it is an invaluable asset to the community.”

 

“"It has been such a pleasure working with Chris at the Community Furniture Bank. It is such a blessing when one of my clients receives housing, but it is also a bit overwhelming for her. My clients generally have no furniture or household items; therefore we rely on donations made to the Community Furniture Bank to furnish her apartment. The Community Furniture Bank always comes through! They generally have everything from rugs, towels, bed linens, dishes, lamps, furniture, among other items. Chris and his team are very dependable, caring and really show their concern for our clients and their situations. I feel truly blessed to be partnering with him to assist our community."”

 

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