Make it Happen for Yolo County

Reviewed by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation

$16,905 raised by 67 donors

85% complete

$20,000 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.

After a youth's eligibility is determined, social workers or case managers work with them to complete a "wish list" provided by Make it Happen.  We contact the youth directly and arrange a time to meet with them at our storage units and to help them get their selections to their homes.  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.

Make It Happen for Yolo County began in 2014, (our first year of being a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization), by helping 12 youth.  With the exception of a couple of years during the pandemic, we have steadily grown our client numbers. Last year, we helped 48 Yolo County youth.  In 2023, we changed from being an all-volunteer organization to hiring our first part-time employee.  Cathi Schmidt is our new Executive Director who brings passion as well as business and management expertise.

In addition to providing household items, MIH partners with the Yolo County Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) which helps participants ages 14-21 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 offers gift cards for use as participation incentives.  Additionally, we fund a $500 scholarship for one ILSP graduate yearly to be used for future academic or career training. 

We are pleased to report that our partnerships with other Yolo County agencies, organizations and individuals dealing with TAY have grown.  In the past year, we have worked with the UCD Guardian Scholar Program, Yolo County Department of Health and Human Services TAY units, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), Yolo Crisis Nursery, Yolo Dependency Services, 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.  



Giving Activity

Mission

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!

Needs

Make it Happen provides furniture, mattresses, box springs and bedding, kitchen appliances and housewares, 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. The population we serve generally live in small apartments. We welcome donations of furniture, and ask that it be in good condition, relatively lightweight, small and easy to move. We are specifically in need of kitchen tables and chairs, small couches or loveseats, shelving units, dressers, living room chairs, coffee tables, desks and nightstands. If you are interested in donating furniture, please visit our website MIHyolo.org., click on the orange "Donate Furniture" icon on the upper right part of the page and follow the instructions there.

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 - microwave oven

$60 - vacuum cleaner and microwave

$75 - set of pots, pans and cooking utensils

$75 - crock pot, blender, toaster and iron

$260 - mattress and bedframe

$1,140 - a fully outfitted first home

Equity Statement

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Make it Happen for Yolo County

other names

MIH, MIHyolo

Year Established

2014

Tax id (EIN)

46-5746005

Mission Category

Youth Development

Operating Budget

$100,001-$250,000

Organization Need

Funding: Unrestricted, Funding: Program, Furniture, Volunteers

Demographics Served

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

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