The typical day at FurnishHopeDC (FHDC) is “Busy, busy, busy,” said its Director of Outreach and Client Relations Adriane Herbert. The nonprofit provides families and individuals in Wards 7 and 8 with free quality furniture and essential household items. It has furnished 800 homes so far, said FurnishHopeDC’s founder Niki Mock.
The non-profit collects gently used furniture, home goods, and other necessary items through donations from the community. These items are then redistributed to families and individuals in need, allowing them to furnish their homes and start fresh. In addition, the nonprofit sets up and arranges the donated items in the recipients’ homes, ensuring that they have a functional and welcoming living space.
“FHDC has given people in Ward 7 and 8 communities respites from confusion because even though people may be housed, it would make no sense if the housing is not a home,” Herbert said.
Creating Homes
Having basic furniture and other necessities is an important signal of normalcy. “Children’s well-being is affected because they don’t always have the adequate basic life necessities as needed, like comfortable bed sheets and a decent bowl to eat cereal out of,” says Herbert.
“The organization strives to create a comfortable and safe living environment for those who are transitioning out of homelessness or facing financial hardships in Ward 7 and 8,” said Mock.
“Every dollar you donate helps furnish the homes of residents who need basic furniture and household goods,” states the organization’s website.
Money is not the only objective, FHDC also relies on donations of gently-used furniture and household goods. These include, but are not limited to: couches/chairs, beds, toddler beds/cribs, dressers, dining room/kitchen tables/kitchen chairs, dishes, pots/pans, sheets/towels, televisions, microwaves, and bicycles.
“If it wasn’t for the donors, there would be no FHDC assisting individuals and families in need,” said Herbert.
FHDC “offers a sense of stability and hope to those who are struggling by providing these basic necessities,” said a Ward 7 resident.
“I respect Niki for what she’s doing and bringing this stuff to our hood,” said Herbert.
Starting Up
37 years ago, Mock moved to the DC area. Moving to Ward 8, she began volunteering after witnessing the hardships of her neighbors. She helped build a library at the Abram Simon Elementary School and assisted families in need through the Washington Hebrew Congregation. At Stone Soup, she also created videos for other nonprofits to aid in fundraising.
“It bothered me at a very young age just the fact that being White or having fair skin gives a person more advantages in society,” said Mock.
In May of 2020, Mock raised money to buy a box truck to distribute furniture to those in need in Wards 7 and 8, motivated in large part by the reduction of services due to the pandemic. This soon led to the founding of FHDC and linking up with Herbert, who had founded her own non-profit Village of H.O.P.E. Inc.
One of the first challenges was finding a permanent home for the FHDC’s furniture distribution operation. The organization “had to operate out of a box truck for nine months before securing a new location on Good Hope Road,” said Mock. That initial location proved unsustainable due to its high rent and safety issues.
“Currently, I have five storage units and offices at the Hive, but clients cannot see the furniture beforehand which poses a challenge,” Mock said.
How It Works
FHDC obtains its furniture through donations. The organization does not take any really large items, due to the limitations of the spaces it furnishes. Glass items are also declined due to their danger to children. TV stands, night and coffee tables are in large demand. FHDC takes household items in good condition if a donor drops them off. Furniture pickup can be arranged.
Volunteers are critical. They help FHDC find furniture, organize its storage facilities, arrange household goods for client delivery and transport furniture. They also assist Herbert with home visits. The organization is also seeking help with grant writing. It is also training volunteer mentors to assist clients with caring and arranging their homes.
FHDC has a three-step intake process for its clients. First, they must be a resident of Wards 7 or 8. Herbert then conducts a home visit to assess client needs assisted by volunteers. They check the size of the rooms, doorways, whether access is up flights of stairs as well as the overall condition of the home. They then arrange curbside delivery, although items can be brought into the home itself for an additional $40.
Ward 7 and 8 residents who are interested in receiving furniture are encouraged to email adriane@furnishhopedc.org to start the process. To learn more about Furnish Hope DC or to volunteer, visit www.furnishhopedc.org. For questions about furniture donations, email donatefurniture@furnishhopedc.org.
