Houses into Homes, an organization co-directed by Lucy Barker and Salina McCarty, aims to provide furniture and household goods to Iowa City's underprivileged community.
A shag rug with a deep coffee stain. A leather couch with holes worn into the fabric. A once fuzzy blanket with a fraying hem. These everyday furnishings aren't remarkable, but they're what make our houses more than merely places we go to eat and sleep.
For underprivileged families in our school community and beyond, burdensome financial situations can make purchasing even the most basic home furnishings a struggle. This is where Houses into Homes (HIH) comes in. The organization, co-founded by Lucy Barker and Salina McCarty in 2017, helps individuals in need to furnish their homes with donated items.
The idea for the organization stemmed from Lucy and McCarty's personal experiences with Iowa City Community School District (ICCSD) families in need.
Curious if anyone in the area was working towards a solution, Lucy and McCarty pursued the issue by meeting with representatives from across the community.
Caroline Barker '22 and Anna Verry '22 move a piece of furniture on one of Houses into Homes' delivery days.
Although, HIH has now helped furnish over 35 homes, the organization had humble beginnings.
Since then, the program has grown rapidly. The organization now has a solid volunteer base and is receiving a steady flow of furniture donations, all of which come directly from the community. They now deliver an average of 20 mattresses to nine households per each weekly delivery day.
For Olivia and Caroline, involvement in the organization has had a strong impact on their lives. Being a part of HIH has allowed them to forge connections across the community.
The sisters' duties range from lending a hand on delivery days to thinking through any obstacles the organization may face.
Thayer Abu-Hijleh '22 and Caden Noeller '22 volunteer on a Houses into Homes delivery day.
Working with HIH has also helped Olivia and Caroline gain a deeper appreciation for the simple luxuries that many of the houses they work at lack.
"It's really shocking to see the kids coming home from school or the people coming home from work to an unfurnished home with no tables or couches," Caroline said.
In the future, HIH hopes to grow their operation to be as efficient as possible. Part of this plan includes expanding their storage space, acquiring their own truck, and paying salaries to at least two staff members.
"Our hope is to be able to provide beds, furniture, and household items to as many households as we can in as short a time as possible," Lucy said.
No matter your physical abilities, volunteering with the organization is a fun and meaningful way to get involved in the Iowa City community.