100% complete
$15,000 Goal
Make it Happen for Yolo County (MIH) is a small non-profit organization providing furniture and household goods as well as support, resources, and advocacy for underserved Transitional Age Youth (TAY) of Yolo County. This population, between the ages of 16-24, are transitioning to independent living from foster care or being homeless. Many also have mental health challenges. While this time of life can be difficult for any youth, most can rely on family and friends to offer emotional and financial support, as well as the items needed to furnish an apartment or home. For at-risk youth however, this resource is often not available. Make it Happen for Yolo County steps in to help address this void by collecting gently-used donated furniture and purchasing new items necessary for creating a home.
We began in 2014, (our first year of being a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization), by helping 12 youth. The numbers of youth we helped increased yearly until the pandemic occurred. As with most other groups, the Covid 19 pandemic decreased housing availability and closed down the agencies serving TAY, which resulted in fewer referrals for us. While we continued to provide items to youth during that time, we also worked to expand our partnerships with other Yolo County groups working with transition age youth. Happily, 2022 has us back on track with a growing number of youth served, and referrals that come from an increasing number of Yolo County individuals and groups, such as Department of Health and Human Services TAY units, Yolo County Probation, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Yolo Dependency Services, UC Davis Guardian Scholars Program (GSP), Shores of Hope and EA Family Services. Make It Happen has always been able to provide for every TAY youth requesting our assistance and who meets our eligibility requirements.
After a youth's eligibility is determined, social workers or case managers work with them to complete a "wish list" of their desired items, which is then sent to us. We contact the youth directly and arrange a time to either meet with them at our storage units or have items delivered to their residence. Being physically present at our storage units allows them the opportunity to choose other items they might not have realized they needed when initially completing the wish list. Depending on need, we provide furniture, small appliances and all of the items necessary for the dining, living, bedroom, and bathroom areas of their home. Repeatedly we hear these youth express their gratitude not only for the items they receive but also for the support of their community.
In an effort to continually improve our services, we have implemented two short follow-up surveys, which are sent online. The first, sent within 1-2 weeks after receiving services, asks for a rating of how our communication and provision of items were. The second, sent after 6 months, requests more information, such as if the youth still has the goods that Make It Happen provided, and the quality of items provided.
Make it Happen for Yolo County provides gently-used furniture, small appliances and household supplies as well as resources and support for under-resourced and at-risk transitional aged youth (TAY) ages 16-24 moving into independent living situations. We receive referrals from Yolo County government agencies and other groups that work with this population. MIH meets directly with the youth and/or their social workers to contribute household furnishings, goods, and gift cards. No other groups exist in Yolo County that provide these resources. Our unofficial mission statement is "if we say we will do it, we will." And, we do!
Make it Happen provides furniture, mattresses, box springs and bedding, kitchen appliances and items, bathroom shower curtains, towels, trash cans, vacuum cleaners, microwaves, blenders, toasters, coffee makers, pots, pans and cooking utensils, plates, glasses, silverware and other household items to the youth we serve. All household items are new while the gently-used furniture has been donated by the community. Several years ago we began offering Move-In Baskets that contain items necessary for maintaining a household: toilet paper, paper towels, sponges, dish detergent, cleaning liquids, toilet brushes, soap, a multi-tool kit, and picture hangers. Many youth are not aware of the need for having these items, nor the cost of purchasing them. Additionally, last year we received Office Supplies from the Davis branch of the National Charity League. These are a small office waste bin containing a surge protector, sticky notes, pens and highlighters for youth to use. They have been a popular item!
The youth receiving our services complete a "wish list" of desired items, which is sent to our organization. They them come to our storage units and are met by a MIH member to choose from the above-mentioned goods.
We also provide gift cards to youth and their social workers for the purchase of personal care and other items.
Foster youth (ages 14-21) in Yolo County have the opportunity to participate in the county's Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) which helps them develop the skills to transition to successful living on their own. These classes range from health, cooking and nutrition to financial literacy and career exploration. MIH supports the ILSP program by providing gift cards for use as participation incentives and transportation to the program. Additionally, we fund a $500 scholarship for one ILSP graduate yearly.
Make it Happen welcomes furniture donations. The population we serve live in small apartments. The furniture we supply needs to be relatively lightweight, small, easy to move and in good condition. We accept donations of SMALL: kitchen tables and chairs, couches or loveseats, shelving units, dressers, living room chairs, end and coffee tables and desks and nightstands. If you are interested in donating furniture, please visit our website, MIHyolo.org., click on the orange "Donate Furniture" oval icon on the upper right part of the page and follow the instructions there. Next to it is another orange oval for monetary donations.
Organization name
Make it Happen for Yolo County
other names
MIH, MIHyolo
Tax id (EIN)
46-5746005
Mission Category
Youth Development
Operating Budget
$0-$50,000
Organization Need
Funding: Program, Volunteers, Furniture
Demographics Served
Youth & Children, Low-income individuals/families
Counties Served
Yolo
Address
P O BOX 982Yolo County, CA, US
Woodland, CA, US
West Sacramento, CA, US
Davis, CA, US
Winters, CA, US, 95694