FAQs
We get asked a lot of different questions about a lot of different things. We hope you can quickly and easily find the answers you need here, but if not, please contact us.
Volunteering
I’d like to volunteer. How do I get started? Everyone interested in volunteering starts with a personal tour of our workshop. Tours are available by appointment most Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1:30–7:30 pm.
How old must I be to volunteer? We use power tools, and most tasks require focus and dexterity, so you must be at least 15 years old to volunteer, and a parent or legal guardian must accompany you. Once 18, you can serve solo, and you can serve offsite with us (i.e., deliveries, installations, home visits).
Can I serve once to just try it out? Of course! We encourage you to test drive the experience.
Can my company or community group serve with you? We love when groups serve with us. It does require advanced notice, but we’re always open to the conversation. We limit groups to 10 individuals age 15 and over.
How frequently do volunteers serve? Volunteers most frequently serve for 2–4 hours each week. You can opt to serve less frequently; it’ll just take longer to get to know the crew.
Donations
Do you accept gently used mattresses? We do not, but some of our partners do. We’d be happy to put you in touch with them.
What size beds do you receive? We receive traditional twin, full, queen, and bunk beds. We do not receive lofts, day beds, captain’s beds, or futons.
Do you receive kitchenware? Yes! We receive dishware, glassware, and silverware in sets of 2–20. (Dishware and glassware should be without chips or cracks.) We also receive gently used pots and pans, bakeware, mixing bowls, measuring cups, and kitchen utensils.
Do you receive large appliances? While we do not receive large appliances like refrigerators or washer/dryer sets, we do receive small appliances limited to the basics: coffee makers, toasters, hand mixers, and blenders.
Do you receive microwaves? We do not receive used microwaves. For safety, we provide new ones through gifts from generous charitable grantors.
Do you receive lighting fixtures? We do not. Our turn-key installations are limited to furniture and home goods; we do not provide services involving hard-wiring.
Do you offer pick-ups? Yes, if we agree to receive a large item like a dresser or sofa and you are within our 30-minute pick-up radius, we will provide a curbside pick-up. While we do not cross the threshold to remove furniture from occupied homes, we can pick-up from your garage. For small items like lamps, dishware, and end tables, we can schedule a convenient drop-off appointment.
Do you accept drop-offs? Yes, but only by appointment for items we’ve discussed and agreed to receive. Items left at our location without a conversation will, regretably, be disposed of at our cost.
Client Care
How do you choose your clients? Our clients come to us first-come-first-serve through one of our carefully selected advocacy partners in New Jersey’s Middlesex and Mercer counties.
What is required of your clients? 1) Representation: Clients must be professionally represented by one of our established advocacy partners. 2) Proof of income: Our clients operate within an annual household income that is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. 3) Safe occupancy: Our clients must abide by legal occupancy limits. 4) Sustainability: Clients must show their rent is sustainable. 5) Honesty: Trust is essential. We can only serve clients who are honest with us in terms of the above. Our clients understand they cannot sell their furniture for one year. It’s a gift intended to provide a fresh start; it’s not intended to be an addiitonal source of personal revenue.
How many families do you serve at a time? At any given time we are typically serving 3 individuals or families. We choose quality over quantity to ensure each is cared for well.
How much do your clients pay for your services? Nothing. Our services are free to those we serve and to the advocacy partners who collaborate with us in their care.
How are you funded? We’re funded through the generosity of others: personal gifts, charitable grants, and corporate sponsorships. Perhaps you’d consider supporting us?