“Shopping” at NEW LIFE Brings Clients Dignity and Delight...

The following provided by Susan Maritan, New Life Furniture Bank of MA.

“Shopping” at New Life Brings Clients Dignity and Delight...

What makes the place where you eat, sleep and live feel truly like a home?

Some might say it’s the treasured items collected over a lifetime; others might say it’s attractive art, accent pillows or current paint colors that makes a dwelling a home. Rich Purnell, the Executive Director at New Life Furniture Bank of MA, would tell you that he and the others who work and volunteer at New Life have a different and more powerful answer to that question. They are witnesses to the importance and emotional impact of the furniture basics that many of us take for granted.

“When clients “shop” at New Life I see them breathe a sigh of relief,” shared Purnell. “At last their empty apartment will feel like a home. And what do they take delight in? It’s a few simple things. As one of our clients wrote, ‘I have been sleeping on the floor…. New Life is giving me the opportunity to offer my children a place to sleep, eat and sit without worrying about getting into more debt.’ ”

Because of the high demand for affordable housing in the Boston area, many of New Life’s clients have spent months or even years in homeless shelters. Once they get housing, the wait for furnishings can be as long as seven weeks, due to the high demand for New Life’s services. During that time they may be actually living - eating, sleeping, relaxing - on the floor. Kitchen tables, beds and couches bring clients dignity, and in turn, make an empty apartment a home. This is the concept behind New Life’s end-of-year fundraising campaign entitled Changing Lives.

The Changing Lives campaign launches today with the ambitious goal of raising $115,000 by December 31. These funds will support New Life’s growth, specifically, serving more households - and to that end, renting more warehouse space, hiring additional staff and purchasing beds to supplement those that are donated.

New Life has grown tremendously in its first six years of operation. The organization is seen as an important contributor in the battle against homelessness in Massachusetts, and the campaign is critical to New Life’s continued growth. Since its inception, New Life has served over 2,400 households, and has gained a reputation across not just the MetroWest area but across eastern Massachusetts as a reliable resource that provides those in need with quality, gently-used home furnishings and personalized support from caring volunteers.

“Each of our clients has an individual appointment when they come to New Life,” said Purnell. “They select their furniture in a low-stress, compassionate setting with experienced volunteers. It’s important to us that our clients are treated with dignity and respect.”

In 2014, New Life’s first year of operation, 100 households were served. This past year, 690 individuals and families received assistance, with the goal of exceeding that number in 2020. The demand is enormous; New Life is committed to raising funds, recruiting volunteers, and collecting gently used furnishings in order to continue meeting future clients’ needs.

“Without generous volunteers, donors and supporters, we would not be able to meet the rising demand,” said Purnell. “Please help us lift individuals and families off the floor by supporting our Changing Lives Campaign this holiday season.”

Gifts may be made on the website, newlifefb.org/changinglives, or by check payable to New Life Furniture Bank of MA, sent to P.O. Box 573, Medfield, MA 02052.