Make it Happen for Yolo County

A nonprofit organization

0% complete

$20,000 Goal

Make It Happen for Yolo County (MIH) is a community-powered nonprofit helping under-resourced youth (ages 16–24) transition into independent living with dignity, stability, and hope. For young people aging out of foster care, exiting the justice system, or overcoming homelessness, MIH provides essential furniture, household goods, and refurbished bicycles—support they often lack without support from family or friends.

With your support, MIH transforms empty apartments into fully furnished homes, giving youth a safe place to sleep, eat, and build their futures. Having a bed to sleep in and cookware and dishes to prepare and enjoy meals creates a sense of dignity, belonging and comfort. Youth choose the items they need at our storage units, and volunteers deliver them—creating not just homes, but a sense of care and belonging. For youth choosing a majority of the over 100 items we offer, we are saving them over $2,000- money that can be spent on other needed items. 

In 2025, MIH exceeded its goal by serving 68 youth and expanded its bicycle program to provide critical transportation for work, school, and daily life. Through strong community partnerships and programs like the annual Make It Happen/UC Davis Guardian Scholar Move-In Days and youth scholarships, MIH continues to invest in long-term success.

As the only organization in Yolo County providing this comprehensive support, MIH has been able to serve every eligible youth who asks for help—thanks entirely to donors like you. Together, we ensure every young person has a safe, stable place to call home.

Giving Activity

Mission

Make It Happen for Yolo County equips transition-age youth (16–24) with essential furnishings, household goods, and bicycles to create safe, stable homes as they move into independent living. Serving young people emerging from foster care, the juvenile justice system, or homelessness, we provide the items that turn a dwelling into a place of comfort, dignity, and belonging. Referred through county agencies and community partners, each youth receives personalized support from our primarily volunteer team—making us the only organization in Yolo County offering this unique, life-changing service.

Needs

What It Takes to Turn an Empty Space into a Home

For the youth we serve, moving into their first apartment often means walking into an empty room—no bed, no table, no place to sit, eat, or study. Your support changes that. With your help, we provide:

A Place to Rest & Feel Safe

Beds, bedding, dressers, lamps, and nightstands

A Space to Gather & Belong

Kitchen tables and chairs, cookware, dishes, and small appliances

Living room furniture like sofas, chairs, and tables

The Basics for Daily Life

Towels, shower curtains, cleaning supplies, and move-in essentials

Tools for Success

Study kits with school supplies and gift cards for immediate needs

A Way to Get There

Refurbished bicycles with helmets, locks, and lights for work, school, and appointments

Every item we provide helps transform uncertainty into stability—and reminds a young person they are not alone.

Most Urgent Needs

Small, apartment-sized furniture—especially kitchen tables and chairs, sofas or loveseats, dressers, desks, shelving, and chairs.

How You Can Help

Make a gift today to help a young person turn an empty space into a safe, stable home. Every dollar provides essential items—and shows a young person that their community believes in them.

To donate furniture, please visit MIHyolo.org and click “Donate Furniture.”

Monetary donations are gratefully accepted. The following donation amounts will provide:

$15 - silverware for 4

$25 - dishes & glasses (place settings) for 4

$30 - 2 bath and hand towels, and 2 washcloths

$50 - Set of pots, pans and cooking utensils

$75 - set of pots, pans and cooking utensils

$95 - air fryer, blender, toaster and iron

$325 - mattress and bedframe

$2000 - a fully outfitted first home

Equity Statement

Make It Happen for Yolo County supports ALL under-resourced transition age youth moving into independent living. EVERY eligible young adult requesting our services is provided with the items they request from our wishlist.

The demographics of our clients served changes yearly. Last year, in 2025,

-Last year, in 2025:

-49% reported experiencing homelessness

-33% identified as LGBTQ+

-Most were between the ages of 18 and 20 years old, and

-64% identified as persons of color

Get Involved

View our current participation opportunities.

In-Person Volunteering


Pick Up and Transport Donated Furniture

Make It Happen storage units in Davis, Calif.

In-Person Volunteering


Help us find furniture on Social Media

Social Media: Facebook Market Place, Nextdoor, Freecycle and Yolo County thrift stores

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Make it Happen for Yolo County

other names

MIH, Make It Happen

Year Established

2014

Tax id (EIN)

46-5746005

Guidestar

Mission Category

Youth Development

Operating Budget

$250,001-$500,000

Organization Need

Funding: Unrestricted, Funding: Program, Furniture, Volunteers

Demographics Served

Youth & Children, Homeless/Underhoused/Unhoused, Low-income individuals/families

Local Counties Served

Yolo

Address

P O BOX 982
Davis, CA 95617

Service areas

Yolo County, CA, US

Woodland, CA, US

West Sacramento, CA, US

Davis, CA, US

Winters, CA, US, 95694

Phone

530-341-2432

Social Media