Elvira Laguna

A Sense of Home (ASOH) is nonprofit organization providing a community-based solution to transform the lives of youth by creating the first-ever homes of those who "age out"​ of foster care. 50% of foster youth experience homelessness and must fend for themselves without security or a foundation on which to build and move forward. Those that can secure housing have no family or community to help set up their first home, so spaces are usually empty of furniture and necessities. The ASOH team employs former foster youth and recipients of the program who pay-it-forward with a community of volunteers to furnish an aged-out youth's space with high-quality furniture donations. Creating a lovely, comfortable home can dramatically shift the trajectory of one who has lived in poverty and overcome trauma. Their new space provides stability, dignity, and a foundation in which to thrive and finally belong. ASOH’s community of care serves transitioning youth by providing practical & emotional support and by connecting them to opportunities for better employment and mentors, such as program recipient role models. Eliminating the financial burden of furnishing one's home and creating an organized and peaceful environment has been proven to significantly improve the productivity of an employee and/or student and increase crucial skills necessary for success, including critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, decision-making, and judgment. The state of one's home also affects physical health, social/emotional well-being, an individual's self-worth, and their sense of place in the world. By creating a physical home that embodies the aspirations of each youth, ASOH enables them to reimagine all that they can achieve and become the best version of themselves. ASOH has created 800 + homes for over 2,000 young people .