April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
Furniture bank gives formerly homeless a literal seat at the table
Furniture bank gives formerly homeless a literal seat at the table
Catholic Charities recently partnered with the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society, Unity House of Troy and St. Catherine's Center for Children in Albany to create the new Capital Region Furniture Bank.
The four human services agencies hope to make it "the go-to place for furniture donations for the homeless."
"There has been a need for a furniture program for the homeless since there's been homeless," Mr. Coates told The Evangelist. All four sponsoring agencies assist people dealing with homelessness.
The furniture bank collects donated furniture, small appliances and household items and stores them in an Albany warehouse, then distributes the furnishings to people who have been homeless and are now trying to reestablish a living space.
Better together
Catholic Charities has had several versions of this program in the past, said Mr. Coates, but it wasn't sustainable with just one agency funding it.
"It's a lot of work," the associate director said. For example, Catholic Charities hadn't been able to hire movers. Hauling heavy furniture was too much to ask of employees not hired for that purpose.
Without a central location for donated furniture, Catholic Charities was also forced to store items wherever space could be found in the basements and garages of its various buildings around Albany.
Now, the warehouse staff can meet with agency case managers and clients to help them find the furniture they need and arrange for delivery.
"The strength of this program is in the collaboration of great community partners," noted Catholic Charities CEO Vincent Colonno. "The future of innovative solutions to address poverty is with non-profits, businesses and public-sector programs collaborating toward a common good."
Process for clients
Catholic Charities, St. Catherine's and the other sponsoring agencies "all contribute to the operation of the furniture bank, so we can access the furniture bank for our clients, with some restrictions," Mr. Coates said.
There is a vetting process the agencies complete to make sure clients getting furniture are in need of the items, are working with one of the collaborating organizations and live in the catchment area of Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties.
"Clients pick out their stuff and they can even schedule a delivery," said Mr. Coates. "That is something that Catholic Charities never had the resources to do."
Many people don't understand the pressing need for home furnishings, he added: While coats or summer clothing are needed seasonally, "furniture is year-round."
When people lose their housing, they are also losing all of their furniture.
"I don't think people understand how devastating becoming homeless is for a family or an individual," Mr. Coates said.
Home-making
Catholic Charities always makes sure someone moving into housing has a bed and mattress, but "it makes such a difference when you walk in[to a new living space] and there is a couch and a chair," he said. "Just that makes [it] more of a home.
"If you went from a shelter that was fully furnished and then you move into your own place, you can almost feel like you're going backwards" if it's unfurnished, he said.
The need for furniture is never-ending. Dressers and lamps are always needed, since donors often find uses for those items instead of giving them away.
"For a homeless person to have a lamp in their bedroom, that's huge," said Mr. Coates. "It's the difference between having a house and having a home. You can have a place to sleep or you can have a home to go to."
The bank accepts most furniture, including beds, couches, tables and chairs; also sought are small appliances, dishes, cutlery and pots and pans. However, the furniture bank can't accept major appliances like dishwashers or washing machines, or mattresses and box springs. To donate, contact the furniture bank directly at (518) 612-BANK (518-612-2265) or [email protected].
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