By Celeste Fisher

Quick! What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you read, homeless? Lower Wacker Drive encampments? The folks at Route 83 and 22nd, kitty corner to Neiman Marcus and Gibsons — the ones that many can barely look in the eye because it is so sad and the stark differences in economic security feels so excruciatingly uncomfortable that you pick up your phone at the stoplight? Or, does your mind instantly default to substance abuse issues and mental illness?

What if you were told that those devastating realities are also sweeping generalizations — stereotypes supported by imagery of shopping carts filled with dirty clothing, blankets and garbage bags full of belongings rather than say, a young mother who traded domestic violence for a shelter, then worked like a dog to get into assisted housing to stay out of the homeless cycle. That reality is depicted in Stephanie Land’s MAID, a New York Times Bestseller as well as a Netflix series and Emmy contender. It is the true story of Land, a gifted writer, who got lucky enough to be placed in an apartment with her little girl. Her new housing came with a few pieces of beat-up furniture, second-hand bedding and towels and a few mismatched dishes.

Like Stephanie Land, the clients who are lucky enough to be referred to Janelle Towne’s Home2Home Project often have nothing but a backpack of belongings. Yes, HOORAY! By some sort of miracle they got out of the shelter, or their cars, or were able to give up couch-surfing and were placed in subsidized housing. Then, after that long and terrible homeless-journey, H2H clients finally arrive at their destination, ready to rest their weary heads … but often, without so much as a pillow.

That is where Janelle Towne and her team spring into action, completely furnishing spaces with gently used sofas, chairs, dining tables, headboards, lamps and more. And, with the help of truly angelic donating partners, the non-profit is able to set up their clients with new mattresses, rugs, crockpots, coffee makers, pots and pans, silverware, dishes, glassware, bath towels and shower curtains — absolutely everything from toothbrush holders to potholders.

Back to the sweeping generalizations. What if you learned H2H clients include a college educated mother of two who was preparing to begin medical school but had to flee a domestic violence crisis with her children, some clothing and her biology textbooks? What if you learned that another working single mom, DV survivor, had finally, finally gotten to a place of economic independence and literally had her life blown to bits six months later in the Woodridge tornado of 2021? Every belonging, every stick of furniture, poof. Gone. Towne’s clients also include several US military veterans, a few single dads, full families and even one gifted musician who all found themselves just one paycheck away from disasterville before it became their reality because of illness or company-wide layoff.

Six years ago, while working on a Christmastime service project with her daughter, was when Towne initially learned that when leaving a shelter, the formerly homeless most often move into completely empty apartments. It was the spark that lead to the creation of this non-profit. She simply saw a gap in services and started a Facebook page asking for gently used furniture and basic household necessities — a request that (nearly overnight), filled her front porch, basement and garage to the brim. With these items, she orchestrated her first “client move-in” and within six weeks she had completely furnished three more homes. Towne was hooked.

She filled out the necessary state and federal paperwork and moved her donated items to a 3000 square foot warehouse, enlisted the help of local volunteers (that has grown to a registered team of over fifteen hundred), and assembled a design team of fourteen. To date she’s completed 137 “moves-ins” and counting.

Over the years H2H has gathered so many generous donating partners, volunteers and donated items but is hoping to address even more community need, so this fall the Home2Home Project is hosting its first ever Homecoming gala September 23rd at LaGrange Country Club. The festivities include a silent auction, dueling pianos, a paddle raise and more with ticket details below.

Homecoming. What an appropriate name for the gala not only because the event is being held during the traditional fall HOCO season but because the name itself speaks to the H2H mission of creating welcoming spaces for clients so they can finally and truly come home.