DOWN HOME

ENTERING HOUSING IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE JOURNEY OF EMERGING FROM HOMELESSNESS, YET FOUR WALLS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. DOWN HOME (DH) HELPS END THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS BY CREATING HOMES AND A COMMUNITY WHERE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS FIND COMFORT, DIGNITY, STABILITY, AND CONNECTION. IN 2024, A YEAR OF GROWTH, THE DH TEAM SERVED 41 NEW FAMILIES, IMPACTING 125 MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN. THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH THE DEDICATION OF 359 VOLUNTEERS AND THE GENEROSITY OF 863 DONORS. OUR COMMITMENT TO OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE LED TO INCREASED WAREHOUSE SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY, AND WE EXPANDED OUR TEAM BY WELCOMING ONE NEW STAFF MEMBER. THE IMPACT OF DOWN HOME'S WORK IS REFLECTED IN THE VOICES OF THOSE WHOM WE SERVE. IN 2024, 100% OF CLIENTS REPORTED THAT DOWN HOME PROVIDED THEIR FAMILY WITH SECURITY, COMFORT, COMMUNITY CONNECTION, AND RELIEF FROM FINANCIAL STRESSORS. ALL OUR CLIENTS FACE SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, WITH 100% LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY THRESHOLD. ADDITIONALLY, 95% HAVE AN ANNUAL INCOME OF LESS THAN $35,000, APPROXIMATELY 80% ARE SINGLE MOTHERS, AND 85% HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES, AND/OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AS A PAST TRAUMA OR CATALYST FOR HOMELESSNESS. OUR COMMITMENT EXTENDS BEYOND MOVE-IN DAY. DURING THE FIRST YEAR AFTER THEIR HOME REVEAL AND BEYOND, WE MAINTAIN INTENTIONAL COMMUNICATION AND PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT TO THOSE WELCOMED INTO THE DOWN HOME FAMILY. IN THE LAST YEAR, 100% OF THOSE SERVED HAVE REMAINED ENGAGED THROUGH FOLLOW-UPS AND HAVE ACCEPTED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. THESE RESOURCES INCLUDE PARTNERSHIPS THAT PROVIDE A YEAR OF FREE INTERNET, BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION PACKAGES, TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT, AND AN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION. DOWN HOME REMAINS DEDICATED TO BREAKING THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS BY ENSURING THAT EVERY PERSON WE SERVE FINDS NOT JUST A HOUSE, BUT A HOME AND A COMMUNITY THAT SUPPORTS THEIR JOURNEY TO STABILITY AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY.