CORALVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) – A Johnson County nonprofit said it’s seeing an increase in families emerging from homelessness who need furniture, even ahead of its busy season.
Houses into Homes helps furnish the homes of people emerging from crisis. The summer months are usually slower, but not this summer. Now, it’s trying to make sure it can support families as it anticipates even more demand.
Else Chardt has been volunteering at Houses into Homes in Coralville for the last four years. Her expertise lies in the linen section, ensuring that families receiving permanent housing have sufficient beds and linens to sleep on.
“I kind of know this area and know this job, so I like helping here,” said Chardt.
While she doesn’t meet any of the clients at the facility, she knows a little bit about what they’re going through. Her family’s home in New Guinea was bombed during WWII.
“I don’t remember that part myself, but I do remember that we always had to keep moving during the rest of WWII,” she said. “Nobody in the family starved, but it wasn’t a very happy time.”
Her work with the nonprofit has only become more invaluable as more and more people are in need. Last year, in June and July, they delivered to 53 households. This year, that number is up to 66. Currently, they also have around 47 people on the waiting list.
“We had a short waiting list of referring agencies that have wanted to be able to send referrals,” said Kristi Emick, Director of Operations. “This year we engaged with them, and we did get them to referring agencies.”
She said one of the reasons is that schools are reaching out for help a little earlier.
“We get referrals through the student family advocates, and a lot of times those individuals are engaging with those families’ needs and getting them over to us,” said Emick.
The increase in clients was something Else that I have also noticed. She and her husband Ron, have upped the number of days they volunteer from one to two. But it’s something she’s happy to do to keep others from going through what she and her family endured.
“This is one little way I can give back,” said Chardt. “There are people who helped us so that we weren’t out on the street.”
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