Our guest and speaker on August 3, 2019 was Jenn McAdoo, Executive Director of Furniture friends. Furniture friends is based in Westbrook with a warehouse/showroom on Saunders Way. They were started in the late 1990s by social workers who worked with the mentally and physically disabled, finding and moving needed furniture in the back of their cars. This model was not sustainable, and they went dormant for several years. In 2012, they re-started in partnership with another group helping immigrants.
Clients lacking essential household furnishings such as chairs, couches, beds, bureaus, tables and lamps are referred. Furniture Friends visits their home to assess needs. This allows them to target people who are most in need and to meet eye-to-eye to see exactly what is needed. If a client has their own transportation they can come, 
select items and pick them up. If they need assistance, Furnitures Friends has many volunteers who can help. Volunteers come from youth groups, churches and local organizations. Their clientele includes people with disabilities, vets, people newly housed after a period of homelessness, women who have left an abusive situation and immigrants.
select items and pick them up. If they need assistance, Furnitures Friends has many volunteers who can help. Volunteers come from youth groups, churches and local organizations. Their clientele includes people with disabilities, vets, people newly housed after a period of homelessness, women who have left an abusive situation and immigrants. In addition, they support Housing First. Housing First is an initiative with goal of moving folks into stable housing, even before they find a job, to stabilize their lives as they address other issues such as recovery, mental health or escape from abuse. Furniture is a key piece of making people feel secure under this model.
A member of the Furniture Bank Association of American, last year Furniture Friends helped 550 families, including 1600 people of which 600 were children. Furniture donated must be in good shape, especially mattresses. They work with hotels to obtain lightly used furniture and have the ability to pick up donations using their volunteers.
If you are moving, selling, or downsizing, Furniture Friends can help. They always need couches, armchairs, dining tables & chairs, lamps, end tables, dressers and beds. They also need volunteers to help pick-up and delivery furniture. For more information, visit their website: http://furniturefriends.org/