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Filling Hearts with Hope

Our team of hearty volunteers gathered on a bright, sunny morning to accept generous donations and do a little last-minute assembly.

Family #1

First stop was to the home of Alicia, her teenage son Ahmarik and two darling little daughters, Dani and Maya. Alicia is truly an inspiration. This family is new to California having left an unsafe domestic situation in their home state of Louisiana. They are working hard to settle into the new community. Alicia has her AA degree and is determined to finish college and become a civil engineer once her California residency is established. When we arrived at their apartment, the family had just a few temporary items that were on loan.

Before: Ahmarik's bedroom
Before: An empty living room with a laptop table.
Before: The dining area lacked a place to sit down and eat.
Before: Dani and Maya's bedroom
Before: patio
Before: Alicia's bedroom

When we arrived, the family left and our volunteers got to work making their home beautiful and comfortable. There were smiles all around when the family returned home.

Mom is thrilled with her new “retreat.”
Seeing his room for the first time.
Sisters a bit awed by their new room!
After: New linens, rug and hammocks for their pets. And Minnie Mouse everywhere!
After: Special Minnie Mouse dresses for the girls!
After: A great new study area for Ahmarik.
After: Ahmarik's bedroom
After: Alicia's bedroom
After: patio

“Oh! This is so elegant!” – Alicia

Family #2

Our second team took off for the apartment of Regina and her 16-year-old son Rennan, 11-year-old daughter Marina and adorable baby Samuel. Regina and her children also fled an abusive relationship in another state, returning to California with only their clothes and a few items. Regina said she felt alone and afraid. She wondered when she would be able to give a decent home to her children again. She commutes to Daly City for a part-time job and cleans houses on the side.

Before: The living room had only a mat for the baby.
Before: A tiny closet in the living room.
Before: A nice, spacious patio with lots of potential.
Before: There wasn't a real dining area for the family—just two chairs that were too low for the counter.

The family’s faces were filled with joy when they saw their home transformed.

Regina and Maria's first look at their new apartment.
Marina loves having her own bed and new stuffed animals to share it with.
After: Now they have a cozy place for meals and family together time.
After: A comfortable place for the family to gather.
After: Marina’s office!
After: The patio turned is now a great place to BBQ and hang out!

“My apartment is now a real home! It comforted the hearts of my children and filled my heart with hope. Everything was done with much love and affection in small details that will mark my life and my children forever.” – Regina

Thank you

The smiles say it all … you have forever changed the lives of these families and given them warm and comfortable homes where they can forge bright futures.

Many thanks to all those in our community who have helped make such a difference including our wonderful business sponsors for their in-kind donations: Chipman Relocation & Logistics, Birch Circle Movers, City Carpets, and Studio 64 Marin Artists’ Co-op.

 

With gratitude,

Grateful Gatherings Marin

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