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Ready to Begin With Basics?

Welcome Home Kits for Families with a New Beginning

DURATION

More than 4 hours

WHERE

In your community - at your school, camp, place of worship, a local business, in your neighborhood, or any other location of your choosing

WHEN

All year long.

WHOSE HELP IS REQUIRED

Class, troop, or other group of like-minded kids (some adult involvement is required to help with planning and drop off of collected items).

HOW IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The Welcome Home Program is an opportunity for our community to connect with people who have moved off the streets, out of shelters, and into their own homes. On average, we place 22 families a week into homes!  But for the people who have truly "Made It Home," they need the tools to be successful in this new chapter of their lives. When you help furnish an apartment, you are helping people get a good night's sleep before a job interview. You are allowing them to save money for rent. And you are helping them live with pride and dignity.

DESCRIPTION

Heading to a new home is a special event in the life of a family that has experienced homelessness. You can help make this transition an even happier one by volunteering to collect home goods to help our recently-housed clients' move in.

ITEMS NEEDED

  • Computer with internet access
  • Family & friends who can provide donations & help with pick-up/delivery

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS


NEXT STEPS

Gather friends, family, and/or members of a group to help you with this vital, important project! 

Click on "VIEW INSTRUCTIONS" below for details.

WEBSITE


Sound like fun?VIEW INSTRUCTIONS▼ to get started.
Sending or dropping off items to a nonprofit? Don't forget to tell them you found them through PGK! Download and print a packing slip here.
  1. Identify a group of volunteers to help you with the project. You'll want to pick people who will be able to both help you gather donations through family and friends, and also help you deliver those donations to PATH (as needed).
  2. Identify a team leader who will act as project organizer within your volunteer group, and also serve as the central point of contact for PATH’s staff member.
  3. Contact Waverly Paradox at WaverlyP@epath.org to confirm items needed. Typically, items include kitchen essentials like silverware/plates/cups, bathroom essentials like towel sets/toiletries, bedroom essentials like new bedding/pillows, or miscellaneous items like cleaning supplies. See the PDF below for more details.
  4. Secure a safe, locked storage area to collect and hold donated items. Ideal locations include: an empty office, garage, tool shed, empty bedroom, rented monthly storage unit and/or a large storage closet or pantry.
  5. Collect your items using the team you have in place. Ongoing communication among your volunteer team is very important— especially to avoid collecting duplicated items. Consider using Google Docs so you can share the list in a “live” format. You may want to consider assigning each team member a list of items to collect. Be sure to give everyone a date by which their items should be collected.
  6. Make sure the donations are in good shape. Most donated items can be gently used, except for pillows, which must be purchased new. (This is part of PATH's efforts to comply with environmental hazard and public safety rulings, as well as liability issues.)
  7. Fill out the donation inquiry form at epath.org/donate to drop off your Welcome Home Kit at PATH Los Angeles! Note you MUST schedule a donation drop-off beforehand.
  8. Be sure to let us know that you found this volunteer activity through PGK.
  9. Kindly fill out this PGK impact form when you’ve completed the activity.