Furniture + Love = Community

 Community | Fall, 2022

Dear Clients and Friends,

 

When I was a single mom in my 20s, I would look around the community and see other young moms and wonder, “Is there something I can do to support them?” By most measures I was also struggling, but I felt so fortunate because I had the support of friends and family.

 

The impulse to support mothers has taken me on various paths since I first became a mom 29 years ago. From volunteering at my children's schools to running parenting classes to volunteering so that incarcerated mothers can see their kids regularly, I’ve felt called to find ways to acknowledge the strength and power of mothers. Even my work with Clean Slate allows me to help parents establish systems and spaces that support the whole family.

 

For several years I’ve been nurturing a dream to activate the compassion of the Clean Slate community to support young women who are in the process of creating loving homes for their children. This newsletter is dedicated to sharing what has emerged since I launched The Wraparound Families Project - a new Clean Slate partnership that supports young moms who are transitioning out of recovery and into independent living with their children.

 

With gratitude for the strength of our communities,

 

Sarah Thompson
Clean Slate Home Organizing

Wraparound Families

Donating furniture is one way to recognize and honor the strength and courage it takes for new mothers to break the cycle of addiction so they can be a loving, stable presence for their children.

 

What is The Wraparound Families Project?

Wraparound Families is a Clean Slate initiative that honors and celebrates the dignity and courage of moms who are moving into their first apartment with their children. Through The Wraparound Families Project, Clean Slate community members donate furniture and household items so that moms transitioning out of Lund’s residential recovery program, have beautiful, furnished spaces where they can raise their children.

 

What is Lund?

Lund is a remarkable non-profit that has been supporting Vermont families for 132 years. They offer an integrated array of services -- education, treatment, adoption and family support -- to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, loving and secure family. I've been volunteering with Lund for years and am so impressed by Lund's mission and programs.

 

Where did the idea for Wraparound Families come from?

I’ve actually had the idea for Wraparound Families for three or four years. My clients often have furniture that they no longer need, and it seems that most of us have a much easier time passing along our belongings when we know that our items will have a meaningful next life.

 

I realized we could support the amazing young women in Lund's programs by relieving some of their financial stress by furnishing their first apartment with beautiful items that Clean Slate clients were ready to pass along.

 

What's the hope for Wraparound Families?

The real impulse for Wraparound Families is deeper than just relieving the financial stress. I want these young moms to realize that they are not alone -- that community members are supporting their success and honoring their commitment to their children.

 

What are some ways to get involved in this project?

By becoming involved in The Wraparound Families Project, you are are recognizing and acknowledging a mother’s bravery and hard work in choosing to be the best parent she can be.

  • Donate your beautiful, high quality furniture and give it a new, meaningful life.

  • Pick up donated furniture in your area. If you have a couple of hours a month and a large vehicle, you could make a huge difference.

  • Host a collection drive for housewarming baskets. Encourage your business, book group, family members, colleagues, etc to collect new kitchen items (see list below).

  • Tell others about the project. You can share this newsletter on Facebook by clicking the Facebook icon at the very end.

 

What’s Wraparound Families biggest need right now?

In addition to high quality furniture, we need local movers and/or community members who have a large vehicle and would like to volunteer to pick up donated furniture and bring it to our storage unit in Williston. If this is you, or you know anyone who could do this, please let me know.

 

Wraparound Families has grown more quickly than I ever could have imagined thanks to the support of generous Clean Slate clients.

 

I am awed by the generosity and outpouring of support from the Clean Slate community for The Wraparound Families Project. I’d like to especially acknowledge my client, Jan Blomstrann (pictured above). Jan was so inspired by the concept of Wraparound Families Project that she not only donated furniture, she also decided to fund the program for the next two years! Her generous contribution allows Clean Slate to rent a storage unit in Williston for the donated furniture and to purchase additional items to help young woman set up their homes.

Get involved in September

Let new mothers know that they are supported by the community.

 

Our friends at Precision Chiropractic hosted a successful housewarming basket drive last winter for Wraparound Families and they are going to do it again!

 

"I am proud to support the Wraparound Families Project and the women who are continuing their journey of making powerful decisions for themselves and their families," says Dr. Allison Bogan of Precision Chiropractic. "These baskets are a way of demonstrating that there is a community of people saying, 'We see you, we support you and we believe in you.' I thank Sarah and her amazing heart for creating this project and for fostering such a sense of home and community."  

 

Here's how you can help:

 

Simply purchase one or more of the household goods listed below and drop off the items this month at Precision Chiropractic in Williston. I'll gather the items and put together the housewarming baskets which will be given to new mothers and families on moving day, along with snacks and flowers to celebrate the start of a new chapter in their life. 

Items we are collecting for Housewarming Baskets

All items need to be in new condition

Dish and Hand Towels

Oven Mitts

Cooking Utensils

Dish Soap

Cleaning Supplies

Tea/Coffee

Hand Soap/Body Wash

Hand Lotion

Shampoo and Conditioner

Pampering Spa items for moms (eg. face masks, bath salts, essential oils)

 

 

Small plush toys

Gift Cards to Grocery Stores or Home Goods/TJMaxx

Please bring items to Precision Chiropractic in September:

Tafts Farm Village Center
300 Cornerstone Dr

Ste 215

Williston, VT 05495

Monday | 9AM–6PM

Tuesday | 9 AM–6PM

Thursday  | 9 AM–6PM

Friday | 9AM–2PM

If you’d like to make a financial donation directly to Lund to support all of their fabulous programs, please use the button below.

 
Donate to Lund

Nurturing Community

 

I send inspiring updates seasonally.  If you'd like to support my work, please forward this newsletter to a friend or visit my website. To learn more about my home organizing services, moving services or family coaching sessions, find Clean Slate on Facebook and Instagram @cleanslatevermont or email me at sarah@cleanslatevermont.com.

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CLEAN SLATE: Bringing ease to your home, your move, and your family life.

Clean Slate | 66 Leeway Circle St. George, Vermont
802.881.1905

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