ABOUT US

Our Mission

Furniture Sharehouse provides free furniture to economically disadvantaged individuals and families living in Westchester County, giving them the basic household furnishings that enable them to rebuild their lives and live with dignity.

OUR STORY

In 2006, our founder, Kate Bialo, through her work as Past President of the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound (JLWOS), learned that there was a gap between needy families in Westchester that had no furniture and tons of furniture that was being discarded because it was no longer needed. She conceived the idea of a “shared warehouse” where furniture donations could be collected and redistributed through social service agencies to those who need it to fill their empty apartments. With help from JLWOS and a HUD grant from Westchester County, Furniture Sharehouse opened its doors at the Westchester County Airport in April of 2007.

We know we are making a difference in these families lives when we see the smiles on their faces when they walk in the door, and when we share their hugs of gratitude when they leave.
— Executive Director Kate Bialo

OUR CLIENTS

We work with many social service agencies that connect us with their clients who need furniture. These include:

  • Those moving out of homeless shelters into permanent housing
  • Women and children escaping domestic violence
  • Working families struggling to stay above the poverty line
  • Veterans
  • Young adults aging out of foster care
  • Victims of fires, floods or other natural disasters
  • Those struggling with mental and physical disabilities

Together with their case managers, clients come to our warehouse where they are assigned a volunteer personal shopper who helps them select the basic furnishings to turn empty apartments into homes for FREE. Based on their individual needs, they select beds, dressers, dining tables and chairs, sofas, lamps, rugs and more. Clients may bring their own transportation or pay a small fee for delivery service.

Now that we have couches and furniture we can spend more time together as a family.
— Recipient Lavonda Legett

OUR AFFILIATIONS

Furniture Sharehouse is a proud member of the following organizations:

Furniture Banks of North America helps furniture banks build their capacities and capabilities.

NonProfit Westchester whose mission is to strengthen the impact, capacity and visibility of the nonprofit sector in Westchester County for a more just and caring community.

The Business Council of Westchester whose mission is working hard to grow the economy, create jobs and build a strong business community in Westchester County.

 

Furniture Sharehouse is a New York State Not-for-Profit corporation, and is tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.