kids supporting kids through the make-a-home program

Alexa and her friend unloading furniture, decor, and household essentials for a Mary’s Place family

Audrey & Alexa want everyone to have a cozy home!

Thirteen-year-old Audrey wanted to make a difference for other kids in her community through her Mitzvah project - what she didn’t expect was to kick off a chain of support for the Mary’s Place Make-a-Home program by inspiring her peers! She was saddened knowing some of her classmates and neighbors were experiencing homelessness. So, as her Bat Mitzvah approached, Audrey decided to help a Mary's Place family settle into their new place through our Make-a-Home program. 

Audrey raised money to furnish a home for single mom Rachel, who escaped domestic violence with her thirteen-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. Audrey rallied her friends, family, and community members to raise $4,600 (and counting!) to purchase furniture for Rachel and her kids and collected enough household items to fully stock the kitchens of two families!

Audrey delivering mattresses, pillows, and bedding to families!

When Audrey and her mom delivered the furniture and donated items, they met Olga, the Mary's Place Make-a-Home program coordinator, and learned that lots of kids were still waiting for mattresses in their new homes. So Audrey decided to use the remaining $2,000 she raised to purchase 30 twin mattresses!

Audrey’s impact didn’t stop there – her friend Alexa saw Audrey’s fundraiser on social media and got inspired. Alexa and her dad, Scott, hit the ground running, sharing their Make-a-Home fundraiser with their networks. Before long, friends and family were donating and helping them hunt for furniture. 

On move-in day the U-Haul they rented was full of furniture and household items. Scott enlisted a friend with young daughters of his own to help, and the move-in became a joint-family project. “I got to see a boy about three years younger than me be so happy and excited to have new things in his room,” said Alexa, “it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.”

Inspired by Alexa and Scott, the friends who helped them on move-in day are working to furnish another family’s home! “Make-a-Home is a special way to give back and help our community,” says Alexa. “Everyone deserves a nice home, so I’m really grateful we were able to do this and share the experience with friends who are now getting involved.”