Welcome Home Drive: Help Our Neighbors Start Fresh

Imagine turning the key to your very first home—and finding it empty. No bed to sink into after a long day. No towel after a shower. No dishes to cook a first meal. For many people moving out of chronic homelessness, this is what a “fresh start” can look like without the support of a caring community.

Over the next few months, Lutheran Social Services of Northern California (LSS) will welcome more than 220 of our Sacramento-area neighbors into brand-new, permanent homes—nothing temporary, nothing short-term. These individuals are being referred through the Sacramento Coordinated Entry System, a countywide process required for housing providers who receive government funding. Coordinated Entry ensures that people with the greatest needs are prioritized, connected to the provider best equipped to support them, and that public dollars are used efficiently, transparently, and without duplicating services. Because of this system, LSS consistently helps people move directly from homelessness into housing—and that means there is always a need for “Welcome Home” supplies.

What makes this moment especially powerful is the scale and timing. Three newly constructed housing communities are opening within a short window, and LSS is partnering with the developers to provide wraparound services that help residents not just get housed, but stay housed.

• The Sequoia (downtown Sacramento) opens first, beginning March 2, welcoming 89 residents

• Madison Square (North Highlands) follows, serving 103 residents

• Arden Way opens in May with 31 homes

Because these are brand-new buildings, timelines for occupancy approvals continue to shift—giving us precious time to gather the items that turn four walls into a home and help residents start this next chapter with dignity and stability.

To make that possible, we’re collecting new items only to create Welcome Baskets, including:

• Bed linens and pillows

• Towel sets

• Cleaning supplies

• Kitchenware

• Paper goods

You can donate individual items, assemble a full basket, or make a tax-deductible financial gift designated to the Welcome Home Project.

Thrivent members have special opportunities to get involved at no cost:

• Use Thrivent Choice to direct funds toward welcome basket supplies

• Lead a collection through a Thrivent Action Team, which includes a $250 community impact card and planning resources

Most importantly, this effort is open to everyone. Congregations, community groups, families, workplaces, and individuals—multi-faith and community-wide—are invited to be part of welcoming over 220 people home.

A home is more than a set of keys. With your help, it can be a place of rest, dignity, and a real chance to build a stable future.

Learn more and sign up: (www.lssnorcal.org)

Questions? Email (jclemens@lssnorcal.org)