What does one need for a newborn? A beautiful, white Pali crib, a crib mattress, precious blue and white bedding with embroidered toy trains, a stroller, an exersaucer, diapers, baby books…sleep tight little one.

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Tina is a ray of sunshine. Through a perfect storm of incredible donations and impeccable timing, her new apartment in Auburn Hills has been gifted the most incredible furniture that perfectly fits her strong and feminine family.

Here is her story, per her case worker at SOS:

Homelessness- that was the last word that Tina would’ve ever thought she would have heard or experienced. Though Tina comes from generations who, according to her, “abused the system” Tina was going to ensure that she was not going to repeat any of those same life choices. One year before entering South Oakland Shelter Tina finished her degree at Rochester College. While she attended school, she and her two beautiful daughters resided on campus housing. Upon graduating, Tina thought that getting a job wouldn’t be that difficult considering she acquired a great education and had a degree. Tina soon realized that the Michigan economy was not something that she only heard on the news, but it was becoming a harsh reality for her and her family. Due to no longer being able to pay rent, Tina’s mother offered for her and her children to reside with her. However; after about one year of residing there she knew that she could no longer stay there. Her mother still had other family members living in the household and it was just too small of a place to have so many people there. South Oakland Shelter was the last resort that she wanted to encounter, but knew that in order to make a better life for her and her daughters, she would need to do the one thing that was the hardest for an independent, single mother to do- ask for help.

Tina came to SOS with a very optimistic and motivated attitude. She refused to let being homeless define the person she was. She had clear goals from the start and was determined to be back to self-sufficiency within 30 days. Within two weeks, Tina found employment as a caregiver in Macomb County, helping a young girl with special needs in her home. I always told Tina that what I admired most about her was that she was in a difficult situation herself, but still had a heart of gold to help others. I remember vividly the day we talked about her exit plans. I soon realized that she was not as excited as I had expected. When I asked her what was troubling her, she stated that she may have to stay at the shelter longer because she needed to save up more money – though she was excited about being out on her own once again, she couldn’t stand the image in her head of she and her children walking into their new home, without anything in it. As soon as I heard her say that I knew that she was going to be okay. I told her that I knew of a wonderful and loving organization named Humble Design that would take care of her family. It was as if a light switch flipped and she was back to normal, optimistic Tina. While Tina and her family resided at SOS they were left to little privacy, as to be expected in most communal settings, and sleeping on mattresses that weren’t their own. Now, thanks for Humble Design for their dedication in helping families get back on their feet, Tina and her two daughters are now in their own home, eating dinner around their own table, and going to sleep in their own beds.

Taylor's New Bed!

This story is unique less because of how Dedra and her children became homeless but what happened once they moved into their new home. Taylor, eighteen, had never had a bedroom or her own bedroom furniture. Through a miracle of timing, Jeffrey King Interiors generously donated a brand new bedroom set in Taylor’s favorite color, blue, that Humble was able to deliver, brand spankin’ new, to the Burns house directly from the warehouse. To round out the perfect bedroom, our donor that was gifting their full sized bed went and bought Taylor brand new bedding, a nightstand, matching lamp and accessories to match her new bedroom. Both gifts were firsts in the history of Humble!

Eunique’s Story per her case worker at SOS:

Being 19 years old is hard enough as it is. Peer pressure, constant discussions with parents who consistently ask what you are planning on doing with the rest of your life, and what parties are going to be the best this upcoming weekend, are all things that absorb most 19 year olds. However; for that young, tired, and worried 19 year old that came into South Oakland Shelter, plans for college, a career and going out on a Friday night were the furthest things away in her head.

Eunique walked through SOS’s doors approximately 26 weeks pregnant. This was her first child and it was definitely unexpected. She entered the program the same time as her boyfriend, Jeffrey, whom was also the father of her unborn child; and although she gained a lot of support and trust from him; she still had many worries about motherhood due to her own past experiences with her family. At a young age, Eunique was betrayed from family members she thought she should be able to trust. She encounters very vividly many of the heart-wrenching experiences of abuse that she had suffered from. Due to the childhood that Eunique had, she was nervous about bringing a child into this world. Seeing how much pain was in her sweet young eyes, the staff at SOS also knew how much potential this young couple had. Within her stay at SOS, we provided her with parenting technique support groups, baby clothing, diapers, bottles, formula, and a crib. One of the host sites even had a baby shower for Eunique and Jeffrey to provide them with more warmth and support than either had ever received from their own family while growing up. Eunique’s pregnancy was a struggle; she was going in and out of the hospital numerous times while at SOS. Jeffrey obtained employment and was saving most of the money he earned in anticipation for their expected baby boy. On top of a difficult pregnancy, Eunique and Jeffrey also had their young age working against them when trying to find an apartment. Most landlords would not accept them due to their young age and therefore, lack of credit. There were many hopeless days for the both of them, but they knew that had to keep their spirits high in order to find a home for their new and growing family. After many weeks, a landlord that had worked with SOS in previous years approved Jeffrey & Eunique for an apartment! The day that they had picked up their keys was one of their proudest moments…at least thus far!

One week after exiting SOS Eunique gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Malaki. Mom, Dad, and Malaki are all healthy and very excited about their new journey that they are about to embark on. Once again, thanks to Humble Design’s caring hearts Malaki will now be able to go home to an apartment filled with love. Eunique and Jeffrey will not have to worry about where their innocent child will have to sleep at night. Due to the security they have of being in their own home, they are now more than ever determined to provide a safe and loving home for Malaki.

We first met Minnie in the South Oakland Shelter offices – a startingly calm, pretty woman who looks much younger than her 28 years. She was pregnant and telling us about how her two older boys, five and four, were so rambunctious and loved to read, whereas her older son, almost ten, was suffering from ADHD. She was still looking for a permanent residence and expecting any day, but there was a strength about her that told us that she was ready for it. She eventually moved her family into a 3 1/2 bedroom house in Detroit, which we furnished with a lovely rattan master bedroom set from Pier One, vintage children’s posters, a wooden bookshelf full of books, pottery barn bedding, changing table and baby accessories, a soft yellow round dining table and chairs all the way from Miami, rugs, exersaucers and bedroom furniture for her eldest son. Our favorite pieces, though, may have been the black chairs and glass cabinet in the foyer, which were lovingly redone and brought back to life with just a bit of sandpaper and paint.

Carla heard about Humble Design from her friend Linda at CASS services of Detroit. We worked with her case worker, Tanya, to make an official referral and go Carla the bed she so desperately needed, having been in recovery from surgery and suffering from disabilities. We are so thankful to Carla for bringing us to COTS to hopefully establish them as an official Humble Design partner moving forward, as they are a truly extraordinary organization!