National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Making REAL Houses Feel Like Home

Volunteers have helped us create safe, comfortable, and dignified spaces where recovery and new beginnings can truly take root.

As Peer House Leader Tommy shared after volunteers built a new porch and refreshed their gardens: “Having a comfortable, stable, and safe space is more important than one may think, especially early in recovery… coming to a place that’s clean and well maintained can help reignite a sense of dignity.”

And when volunteers contribute Welcome Home Kits—bags filled with essentials like soap, toothbrushes, and other daily necessities—it makes a powerful impact.

Senior Pathway Navigator Tauchanna says: “Most of our Lifers come to REAL LIFE without anything except the clothes on their backs. To receive such a heartfelt welcome, packed with such care, warms their hearts and eases the angst they feel. Kindness goes such a long way—and so do the Welcome Home Kits!”

To every volunteer who’s ever picked up a paintbrush, packed a bag, planted a flower, or filled a pantry—you’re part of someone’s fresh start. And we are so thankful.