A Sense of Home strives to prevent homelessness by creating first-ever homes and a community for youth aging out of foster care.
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A Sense Of Home 2024 Gala
Thursday October 24th at 6:30PM
Honoring Serena & Shawn Levy
Hosted at the Home of The Honorable Nicole Avant & Ted Sarandos
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- Sponsoring the creation of a home in the individual or family’s apartment
- $8k donation
- Up to 24 volunteers (depends on the size of the home)
- You will receive details of the individual or family you are creating a home for
- Feel free to bring anything your heart desires, for example — welcome home gift baskets
- Videos and photos provided
- ASOH provides all items for the home including refreshments and lunch for you and your family
- Donate $8k to sponsor a home in honor of someone you adore
- We will send an animated card revealing this gift to the individual you are honoring
- We will send you the video of your home creation and can further dedicate it to the individual you are honoring
- You may want to share with your community & colleagues the ASOH wishlist asenseofhome.org/asoh-wishlists.
- This is updated weekly to reflect the items ASOH is in most need of to install all 250+ items in the every home that we create.
- For example if you click on our wishlist you will notice that we are in great need of crib mattresses and decor.
- Your colleagues could shop online for this list, or you might choose to do a decor drive at your company — where everyone brings in decor to the office on a specified date and then you deliver all of the decor donations to the ASOH warehouse on a Tuesday.
Are you ready to change a child's life?
- Take a look at your possessions. What don’t you really need?
- If you are an 8-year-old, and you have out grown your amazing 7-year-old clothes — Please collect and prepare them for a child who needs these right now.
- Neatly fold all of your favorite 7-year-old clothes and place it in one of your largest organizer boxes.
- Then add shoes, socks, schools supplies, books, toys and games.
- Write a note especially for the 7-year-old who is going to receive these items.
- Create a label for the outside of the box and label “7-year-old”. Then tell all your friends to do the same!!
- Schedule 2 hour or 4 hour volunteer activities
- Tuesdays through Saturdays 9:00am - 4:00pm
- Individuals and/or small groups of volunteers
- Create custom kits for homes
- Build furniture
With every new beginning, comes the opportunity to donate furniture & homewares. We thank you for thinking of A Sense of Home for your donations.
- It is important to note that we only accept undamaged items.
- Donors are asked to have all items delivered by their movers or companies, such as Lugg or Dolly.
- Deliveries are made to the ASOH warehouse: 3457 W. El Segundo Blvd. Unit A. Hawthorne CA 90250.
- All donation deliveries must be scheduled.
- Go to asenseofhome.org/donate-furniture-housewares for more information and to complete your donation form.
- Upload photos of all furniture items to ensure the size will work within the small spaces in which we create homes.
We welcome and thank you for undertaking a book drive to inspire and help enhance education for the amazing young people we serve.
- We install a Love Library in each home both for kids and for the young adults we serve.
- To participate in the book drive, you can collect donated books or purchases.
- Go to asenseofhome.org/love-library for our suggested reading list and where you can purchase.
- We ask that you ship your “Love Library” packages to the ASOH warehouse: 3457 W. El Segundo Blvd. Unit A. Hawthorne CA 90250.
- Raise $8,000 to sponsor a home creation on site
- Go to justgiving.com/campaign/asenseofhome
- Your team gets to create the home, or make it a virtual home creation and you will receive a video and dedicate it to a loved one or a group of individuals.
- On-site home creations occur when daily LA COVID caseloads are lower than 500/day.
- Prepare welcome home baskets and kits for ASOH recipients.
- The kits and baskets are designed to serve a specific function or to make a specific room functional.
- For example, cooking kits ensure a fully functional kitchen and yummy cooking.
- Go to asenseofhome.org/welcome-home-baskets for a full list of each kit.
- Watch this video to get inspired youtu.be/kVCBWn9_F7I
Latest Press
Nonprofit turns houses into homes for former foster youth.
Create Your Own Fundraising Campaign
Rally your community and friends in innovative ways to ensure A Sense of Home can keep up with increasing demands for home creations in Los Angeles, and help ASOH open in cities across the country.
Listen to the latest podcasts
featuring A Sense of Home
Composed Living with Elsa Elbert
featuring Elvira Laguna and Rachel Stich.
Small & Gutsy features A Sense of Home
w/ ASOH CO-Founder Georgie Smith.
FREEDOM WRITERS PODCAST
In this week’s episode, Erin Gruwell is joined by Georgie Smith, the founder of A Sense of Home and the 2016 top ten CNN Hero of the Year.
Shared Ingredients
Georgie Smith joins Andrew Pelosi, host of Shared Ingredients, to share A Sense of Home’s mission, story, and ways to get involved.
THE SOCIAL SHIFT PODCAST
w/ASOH CO-Founder Georgie Smith
I Want Her Job Podcast
A random act of kindness to help furnish an apartment for someone who aged out of foster care altered the course of Georgie Smith’s life, and led to the creation of A Sense of Home.
Women Lead Radio
Donna Netwig, host of Women on the Journey; Tales From the Trenches, has a conversation with Georgie Smith, Founder/CEO of A Sense of Home, on creating a business around a passion for giving, and the journey of developing a 501c business.
ANTHONY TRUCKS PODCAST
w/ ASOH CO-Founder Georgie Smith
MY L.A. Community Affairs Show
w/ ASOH CO-Founder Georgie Smith
Crazy Good Turns
Young adults who age out of the foster system often bring with them a lifetime of trauma. One organization is determined to make them feel at home.
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Your voices matter! 🗳️Voting season is approaching and here are a few tips when hitting the polls:
1. Register to Vote! You can register to vote at registertovote.ca.gov
2. Check out voting polls and mailing locations near you at Lavote.gov
3. Bring friends and family to join you!
#Vote #Voteforchange #Votingmatters
#Earlyvoting #Votingpower #Voting2024
Moving furniture can be challenging but never with Lugg! They make a huge difference one item at a time.
Thank you so much @Lugg for partnering with us to support Elizabeth
Elizabeth, aged 24, was born into foster care and aged out at 18. After leaving the system, she experienced homelessness for two years, living in transitional housing programs when she could.Today, she’s attending beauty college and wants to pursue a license in braiding. This love for hair began when she spent hours styling her Barbie’s hair and hasn’t stopped since. Elizabeth, we are so proud of you!
Thank you again @Lugg donating your time and services to help this inspirational individual move into their first-ever home!
Interested in donating gently used furniture and home goods? Check the link in bio and ask for our DISCOUNT CODE for Lugg to help deliver to our Hawthorne warehouse!
#Lugg #LuggUsedItemDelivery #FosterYouthEmpowerment #ASOH
Thank you @serta @beautyrest @tuftandneedle for your continued generosity! Your incredible mattress and box spring donations will not only provide a place for our recipients to get a good night’s sleep, but also give them a sense of home in their new space.
With this donation, we were able to support Imani, a mother of two with a beautiful baby girl on the way! Before having her home created, Imani had a difficult time sleeping while being 31 weeks pregnant. Now, she’s able to comfortably sleep while she counts down the moments until her bundle of joy arrives.
@serta @beautyrest @tuftandneedle, your support plays a vital role in helping us achieve our mission and makes a huge impact on our community!
#Sertasimmons #Sertamattress #Sertadonation #Mattressdonation #Partners #Asenseofhome
Congratulations, Victoria! Our hearts are so full knowing you and your family are thriving in your new home!
💙 Victoria has dreams of becoming the owner of an aftercare facility for the elderly. Her love for caring for seniors began when she lovingly took over caring for her wheelchair bound grandmother.
She and her family have overcome many obstacles and today, we’re honored to celebrate her and support her as she begins this very exciting new chapter.
Join us in thanking our Pay-It-Forward Alumni #PIFA and dedicated #ASOH volunteers for all of their support!
Ready to join us in our next Home Creation? Send us a quick DM or email home@asenseofhome.org to get more info!
#Homecreation #ASOH #Volunteeropportunities #asenseofhome #hawthornenonprofits
Thank you @thefutureisfosterpodcast for hosting A Sense of Home’s Community Resource Navigator, Elvira, on their recent episode “More Than a Statistic: Defying All Odds as a Former Foster Youth.”
We are forever grateful to all who continue to step forward to share their experiences in the foster care system. Never stop! We are listening and in awe of your power! Watch @elvirasplaceoffical’s incredible story of resiliency and strength on @thefutureisfosterpodcast now available on Youtube, Spotify, Apple, and via link in bio.
#thefutureisfosterpodcast #asenseofhome #fosteryouthempowerment
Join us in thanking @rexford_industrial for volunteering at our warehouse to build furniture and write heartfelt notes of encouragement for upcoming Home Creation recipients.🛠️ 🫶
Thank you #Rexperts for all of your time, efforts, and unwavering support as we create homes and a community for youth aging out of the foster care system! Can’t wait to see you again soon.
Is your company looking for ways to stay engaged and get involved with #ASOH? Send us a DM or email volunteer@asenseofhome.org for more info.
#Rexperts #Rexfordindustrial #Volunteerwithus #ASOHvolunteers #Volunteerwork #Volunteeropportunities #Fosterfamily #hawthornenonprofits
Welcome Home Veronica! 🥳
Veronica is a beautiful and hardworking mother with a passion for helping others. She aspires to become a Peer Support Specialist dedicated to helping those who struggle with mental health.
Special thanks to our partners @harvesthomela for giving her a safe space to grow and @homeboyindustries for assisting her in her journey. It truly does take a village!
Interested in sponsoring or volunteering at a Home Creation? DM us or email home@asenseofhome.org today to sign- up and be a part of stories like Veronica’s.
#ASOH #Fosteryouth #Fosteryouthvoices
#asenseofhome #ASOHhomecreation
We’re so grateful to host Sophomores from @brentwoodschool at our Hawthorne warehouse during their Annual Day of Service & Learning!
Volunteers spent time building tables and nightstands for our upcoming Home Creations, and did it with incredible determination and positivity. Thank you so much @brentwoodschool for your hard work and dedication to give those we serve #asenseofhome!
Interested in getting your school to volunteer with #ASOH? DM us or email volunteer@asenseofhome.org to join all the fun!
#Brentwoodhighschool #Brentwoodvolunteers #ASOHvolunteers #Fostercareawareness #Hawthornevolunteering #Volunteerwithus #Brentwoodca #Dayofservice
🎂🫶🏼 Nine years ago, #ASOH was founded, anchored in foster youth empowerment and community healing. As we celebrate our #501c3 birthday this month, we reflect on the vision that started it all with our Founders @georgiesmith_home @melissgoddard at our very first warehouse in Carson.
Thank you for your unwavering support as we work towards preventing homelessness for all foster youth and as we continue growing our community one act of kindness at a time!
We couldn’t have done it without @tedsarandos & the Honorable @nicoleavant, @jenakingg, @charlottekgilbert & @gilbertgary, @devinenews, and all of the volunteers who have been with us since day ONE!☝🏼
We did this together! ALL OF US!
#CNNHeroes #happybirthday #asoh #asenseofhome #communitypowered
👀 Did you catch our recent article in @hollywoodreporter?
We are forever thankful for our Gala Hosts @nicoleavant @tedsarandos and 2024 Gala Honorees @serenalevy @slevydirect for all they do to ensure ASOH continues changing the lives of youth aging out of the foster care system.
🫶🏼 Read the full article via link in bio and get inspired to join us on October 24th. Grab your Gala tickets before we sell out!
#asohinthenews #hollywoodreporter #serenalevy #shawnlevy #asenseofhome #losangelesevents #communitypowered #ittakesavillage #fosteryouthempowerment
You know @ruggable for their high-quality, easy-to-wash carpets. As if you needed another reason to love this brand 😍 - behind the scenes, #Ruggable continues to donate countless rugs every month AND sponsors quarterly Home Creations for the deserving young individuals and families we serve - like Sydnee.
Sydnee recently graduated with a Phlebotomy and Medical Assistant Certification with the goal of one day becoming a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Today, she’s an amazing mother to 6-month old Sa’Riya while working as a Medical Assistant at a local housing program supporting people with mental health and substance use disorders. We are so proud of her for using her experiences to change the world and help others! Being a part of this new chapter in Sydnee’s life means everything to us!
🫶🏼 Join us in celebrating Sydnee and thanking @ruggable for all they do!
▶️ Watch the full video via link in bio.
#fosteryouthempowerment #asenseofhome #losangelesvolunteer #ittakesavillage #communitypowered
Today marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month where we celebrate Latin American and Hispanic contributions and cultures.
Did you know that 31% of the former foster youth we serve are Hispanic/Latino?
@refinery29’s Nicole Froio, Colombian-Brazilian journalist, researcher and writer, interviewed A Sense of Home’s Community Resource Navigator, Elvira Laguna, earlier this year asking the question on all our minds every day and this month especially -
Why are Latinas so overrepresented in the foster care system?
Join us in reflection and read the full article via link in bio.
#hispanicheritagemonth #latinoheritagemonth #fosteryouthempowerment
#TFW you find out you are being awarded $18,750 to support achieving your educational goals! 🥹🥳
#ASOH is beyond proud to announce the 14 Alumni who have been selected to receive our 2024-2025 A Sense of Home Scholarship thanks to the generosity of Jeneva Bell Philanthropy, the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, and Layla Bagels. Each Awardee will receive:
🎓 18,750 to use towards school tuition, transportation, books, childcare, rent and other educational expenses.
🎓 Individual support with resource navigation and money management.
🎓 Opportunities to connect with fellow Scholarship recipients and our community of inspirational former foster youth.
Join us in congratulating these hard working students as they continue their pathway towards acheiving their educational goals!
🙏🏼 to our volunteer Michael Stich for putting this heartwarming video together 🫶🏼
@jenevabell @laylabagels #chucklorrefoundation
#asoh #asenseofhome #fosteryouthempowerement #communitypowered #asenseofhomescholarship #educationforall
This year’s Gala Honorees are integral to the bedrock and soul of ASOH.
When #ASOH long-time Board Member and Early Childhood Development Specialist, Serena Levy, teamed up with her husband, Shawn Levy, to create homes with their family, we knew we were entering a magical new chapter in our nonprofit history.
Despite his busy schedule directing the epic “Deadpool & Wolverine,” and brilliant producing of “Stranger Things,” Shawn finds time with the remarkable Serena and family to bring their kindness, compassion and community to help grow ASOH not only in LA but in NY.
For eight years, the entire Levy family has been deeply involved in creating homes, delivering necessities during the pandemic, and laying the groundwork for ASOH to open on the East Coast later this year. This is just a mere glimpse of the work that they have contributed to!
✨ Join us on October 24th to honor @slevydirect and @serenalevy at A Sense of Home’s 2024 Gala hosted at the home of the Honorable Nicole Avant and Mr. Ted Sarandos!
🎟️ Link in bio for tickets and lounges!
#serenalevy #shawnlevy #fosteryouthempowerment #asoh #asenseofhome #losangelesevents #communitypowered
@livingspaces recently joined the #ASOH community and tackled so many of our donation needs this summer! They started the season by donating an incredible number of high-quality furniture and ended the summer by lovingly coming together to create a home for Kweigne and her young family. 🏠💕
Help us celebrate Kweigne’s journey and join us in thanking @livingspaces for supporting the amazing former foster youth we serve!
#fosteryouthempowerment #asenseofhome #losangelesvolunteer #ittakesavillage #communitypowered
ASOH’s most generous funders since the very inception of ASOH are also the hosts of this year’s Gala! Ambassador Nicole Avant and Mr. Ted Sarandos are opening up their home, yet again, so we can raise the funds needed to continue our mission.
Their immense generosity has not only made ASOH possible, but their spirit and passion has provided us with the energy that we have needed on this remarkable journey to provide homes, community and wraparound services to former foster youth.
👏🏼 In this first photo, Ambassador Nicole and Ted stood with us in Variety Magazine at the very outset of ASOH in 2015. They have made ASOH possible ever since!
Their very first donation allowed us to purchase a truck which gave us the momentum needed to get off the ground. Today, we have expanded our warehouse and added numerous wraparound services to this work along with educational scholarships, financial literacy training, and so much more. It is all thanks to those who have stood with us and who have kept us moving.
🫶🏼 Thank you, Ambassador Nicole and Ted, for being our North Star. Your wisdom, insights, kindness and strength have guided us at every step, and we are immensely grateful.
See you all on October 24th at our Gala thanks to these amazing hosts! Tickets and VIP Lounges available via link in bio!
@nicoleavant @tedsarandos #fosteryouthempowerment #asoh #asenseofhome #losangelesevents #communitypowered
© 2023 Copyright A Sense of Home,
A tax exempt charitable organization qualified under
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Tax ID# 47-3814056.
© 2024 Copyright A Sense of Home
A Sense of Home | The After-Foster-Care Community