New furniture adds personal touch to The Harbour's transitional living experience
The residents of The Harbour's transitional living home in Des Plaines are enjoying newly furnished surroundings after they were recently selected for the generous donation by The Pajama Program (www.pajamaprogram.org) in partnership with Bob's Discount Furniture (www.mybobs.com) for a full house of new furniture including new bedroom sets for all five residents.
"The experience of refurnishing the house included the residents (five girls) being picked up in a Chicago Trolley and attending the ribbon cutting for the grand opening of Bob's Discount Furniture's new store in Vernon Hills," said Kris Salyards, Executive Director, The Harbour (www.TheHarbour.org) based in Park Ridge.
"As an added bonus, each girl was provided with a shopping spree to select home décor that they will add to the home and take with them upon discharge," Salyards added.
Reflecting on the experience, Patricia (anonymous), a resident at the house, was "greatly appreciative of the opportunity to select furniture that allows each of us who live in the home to add our own personality to the living space. The furniture we chose tells a story about each one of us."
Jackie Neal, Youth Development Specialist at the house, points out that the "furniture shopping experience helps improve the outlook for transitional living residents, has been sort of a new beginning in life and the freedom for residents to select their own home décor represents hope for tomorrow."
On the morning of the furniture delivery, several AM Kiwainis members joined Harbour Board of Directors member Ted Sigg to empty the house of existing furnishings. Those furnishings will support the on-going needs of youth in the program.
"It is truly inspiring to feel the generosity of the community to bring our young people a home with beautiful furniture. It brings a sense of pride to the home and ownership to the youth," Salyards added.
About The Harbour: Safety and Opportunity For Youth
Since 1971, The Harbour has provided housing and supportive services to community youth in crisis. Since its founding, hundreds of youth have passed through its doors who were deflected from homelessness, graduated from its programs and are now living independently.
The Harbour has been there to offer safe, stable housing to these youth and provide parenting that may be absent in their own lives.
The Harbour, a 501©3 organization, provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services to youth (girls ages 12-23) who are experiencing homelessness in the north and northwest Chicago suburbs.
It is committed to offering services rooted in the belief that youth must have their basic needs met before they can begin to build a promising future for themselves.
Visit and follow The Harbour on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHarbourInc/
Contact The Harbour's headquarters located at 1440 Renaissance Drive, Suite 240, Park Ridge: 847-297-8540. Or email: help@theharbour.org