Earlier in September my team and I took part in one of the most fulfilling ventures we’ve ever undertaken. The end result of our efforts was something with which we are familiar – helping people and families find and create a home – but this time it was a bit different.

Working with a wonderful group called Grateful Gatherings, we, along with the help of our clients and many community members, were able to make a home for Stephanie, a victim of domestic violence, and her four children, ages 5 to 12. (We were also able to accumulate items for a second family, whose home we will help furnish later in October.) Grateful Gatherings’ mission –  to improve lives by providing quality household items to those transitioning out of homelessness and poverty – became our mission for the day. We gratefully received your donations, checked-off wish lists, packed, sorted, and helped move furnishings to Stephanie’s new apartment. We cleaned, put together bunk beds, hung curtain rods, and fluffed pillows.

But the cozy home that was created was secondary to the most desired result of our efforts – the ability for Stephanie and her kids to reunite. Stephanie had to prove that she had a suitable home, with furnishings, in order to regain custody of her family. I can’t begin to describe how meaningful it was for our team to play a role in Stephanie’s family reunion.

Grateful Gatherings believes that by providing families in transition, or those having faced tragedy, with a safe, warm, comfortable, and well-equipped home, they have a greater chance for success. We hope that our efforts will help to ensure ongoing success for Stephanie and her family. Thank you so much to all of you who helped us to make Stephanie’s dream a reality.