HomeAid OCLA Annual Partner Homes.com Rallies Workforce to Donate 300 Wellness Kits for Amplified Community Impact
For our neighbors living on the streets or struggling to stay housed, a Wellness Kit or CareKit can provide a lifeline to a world that seems out of reach. Small bags filled with essential items like sunscreen, lip balm, a water bottle or snack, a bandana, shampoo or a toothbrush, and other items, can make a significant impact, bringing everyday essentials and hope to those who need it most. On any given night, an estimated 8,000 people do not have a safe place to call home in Orange County, and in LA/Ventura Counties, the number is significantly higher.
When annual partners like Homes.com step in and organize drives through HomeAid Community Outreach programs like CARE, our impact is amplified. Wellness Kits and CareKits are utilized by HomeAid OCLA provider partners to not only supply valuable resources to those in need, but also to assist in the work they do to get people off the streets and into safe housing. CareKits help facilitate conversations as HomeAid and partners offer real solutions for people looking to take their next step toward stable housing. Recently, the donated Wellness Kits from Homes.com were utilized by the County of Orange for their quarterly Same Day Solutions event where organizers bring in other county agencies and nonprofit partners so attendees facing housing insecurity can access critical services all in one place. HomeAid OCLA provided kits for the event which saw an estimated 200+ participants seeking services. "The opportunity to have a seat at the table where we can help bridge a gap with our resources and meet a need in the community is critical to our work in helping people access safe and dignified housing" says HomeAid OCLA Executive Director, Gina Cunningham.
The CARE program also helps create awareness about our mission with local workforces. Implementing opportunities like CareKit Assembly days into the workplace cultivates a philanthropic mindset and space where teams can rally around a unified teambuilding experience and give back to HomeAid's mission to help our neighbors in need at the same time. It's a win/win.
HomeAid OCLA is grateful for Homes.com and all our community partners who work diligently to support our mission to create real housing solutions for people who need them most. You're the reason our impact continues! CareKit Assembly days run throughout the year as part of HomeAid's Essentials Program, along with the Diaper Drive and the Holiday Food Drive, and can be coordinated with the Community Impact team. Contact Melissa Auten or Amy Moylan for more information.