A Sense of Home

ASOH’s mission is to prevent homelessness by creating first-ever homes for youth aging out of foster care. ASOH was founded in 2014 by Georgie Smith after a random act of kindness. She created a home for a 21-year-old man who was released from the foster care system into a subsidized apartment with no furnishings or appliances, arriving with nothing but two trash bags of his personal belongings. She realized that by procuring home goods and furnishings donated by families and corporations, and by utilizing volunteer support to organize and stage the spaces, she could continue the cycle of human kindness on a large and sustainable scale and dramatically increase the likelihood that he would never become homeless again. What Georgie thought was a one-off random act of kindness became a weekly ritual of community members renting trucks to collect donated furniture and home goods and create up to four homes every Sunday. By October 2015, she formed ASOH’s Board of Directors and by March 2016, ASOH officially received its 501©(3) status.

Our model revolves around Home Creations, where our team of volunteers and “alumni” youth transform empty, unworkable living spaces into fully functional and emotionally comforting homes. Over 250 customized items including all the necessary appliances, furniture, and homewares are selected and installed for each youth served.

ASOH has leveraged excess and returned new household items from our strong network of corporate partnerships with major brands – totaling $1 million in donated furniture annually – and the volunteer efforts of various communities, we create homes for one of L.A.’ most under-resourced youth populations. In addition to the Home Creations, program staff work one-on-one with each youth to determine their immediate and long-term needs and provide the appropriate resources and connections to ensure their long-term stability. This support lasts for as long as the youth desires. ASOH serves as youth’s portal to the community, connecting them to ongoing mentorship, gainful employment, therapy and wellness services, parenting skills, and support to achieve their academic goals.

Since our founding six years ago, ASOH has created 750+ homes for 1,825+ youth and their families, thanks to more than 21,900 volunteers and 182,500+ donated items installed. As a testament to ASOH’s impact, 100% of youth have maintained their tenancy after receiving Home Creations.