Warm a Heart and a Home

The Homeless to Housewarmed Campaign is a heartwarming initiative helping our neighbors who have experienced homelessness, transition into safe, stable housing in a dignified way.

By joining this campaign your team has the opportunity to create a sacred space that will be filled with a love that is unique to your group.

Prior to a client’s move-in date, your team gathers all basic items to turn a bare living space into a welcoming home. When a housing unit becomes available, your team will be deployed to transform the space — offering a fresh start, warmth, and hope to someone who needs it most.

Together, we can ensure that everyone in Acadiana has a place to call home!

 
 

Getting Involved is Easy

  1. Gather a team of 5-7 committed individuals

  2. Appoint a team lead

  3. Sign Up at the link below

  4. Start Gathering Supplies

Sign up now

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Your group steps up to “adopt” a client who is currently in our sheltering program and is awaiting a safe and stable housing placement. Groups will gather all essential furniture and supplies necessary for the client’s move-in. When a housing match is made, your group will be given information of address and a window of dates in which they can secretly set up the home for the client to move in. Groups will be placed in a rotating order to allow ample time to prepare for the execution of the move-in.

  • Catholic Charities of Acadiana's clients moving from any of our three emergency homeless shelters into safe housing can participate Homeless to Housewarmed.

  • This initiative has the ability to transform lives.

    Most often, when a client moves from our emergency homeless shelter into a housing unit, they are coming with the clothes on their back, a small bag of personal belongings, and few to no resources to establish themselves in a home.

    We have found that providing a housing unit is only a small piece of the puzzle for an individual's long-term stability.

    Our hopes are that creating a sacred space through the warmth of new home will provide dignity, a fresh start, and hope for long-term stability.

  • The cost will depend, entirely, on how many items you can get donated. Some items need to be brand new. (mattress, box spring, linens, towels, pillows). Fundraising is encouraged to supplement items not donated and to have on hand for move-in day when unanticipated needs pop up.

  • Supplies can be collected or purchased. Donated items should be in excellent condition. Some items need to be brand new. (mattress, box spring, linens, towels, pillows).

  • Your team is welcome to ‘shop’ in Catholic Charities of Acadiana's donation room. While we cannot guarantee to have the items you will be looking for, any of the items that have been previously donated to our programs are at your disposal.

  • Your group is responsible to house or arrange storage for all donated and purchased items. This could be a group members' garage, some space in a personal storage unit, or any other creative solution you come up with.

  • Each housing unit is different. Most are small apartments. For families, a small house may be appropriate. All dwellings are very simple. Most have a kitchen area, a bedroom, bathroom and family/living room area.

  • We do not want to put a limit on anyone's generosity.

    Please remember that this is a rental unit. Be mindful when hanging things on walls and moving furniture.

    In order to protect both our clients' and your group's privacy, we recommend not leaving personal contact information.

  • Once we have secured a unit for the client, your team will have 5-7 days to complete the project. We seek to ensure that 1 weekend is available between team deployment and client move-in so that your whole team can participate in the housewarming.

  • Your group should plan to clean the space prior to setting up. Painting the space is not expected.

  • No. Due to confidentiality your group will not meet the client you are serving. However, you will receive a brief biography and a "favorite things" list to help you personalize the space.

  • Yes. Please have your group keep an itemized list of all things collected and purchased.

    Your list will need to be submitted to Donations Coordinator, Julie Buller, julieb@catholiccharitiesacadiana.org. She can provide you with a donation receipt.

    Contact your CPA for any specific questions.

  • Yes. Any hours served coordinating and participating can be tracked. Please track on your own and submit to Volunteer Experience Coordinator, Sarah Baquet, sarahb@catholiccharitiesacadiana.org.

Access Move-In Checklist Here