Make It Your Home is proud to partner with Human Options’ Second Step program. This vital program helps survivors of domestic violence take the next step toward independence after leaving an abusive situation. They provide continued support as survivors transition into more stable housing, rebuild their lives, and create a safe, secure future for themselves and their children.

Every home has a story, and this one is about resilience, hope, and a beautiful new beginning. When this mom and her three children moved into their apartment through Jamboree Housing, they finally had a safe place to call home. But with her daughter’s baby due any day, they had very little to fill it with. That’s where Make It Your Home stepped in. Together with our incredible donors, volunteers, and partners, we transformed an empty space into a warm, welcoming home filled with comfort, dignity, and love.

After 3 years of moving shelter to shelter, this brave mom and her two kids thought they’d never have a place of their own... until today. 🥹❤️ Watch as we team up with some incredible local organizations to turn a completely empty apartment into a warm, fully furnished home. Her daughter's reaction to her new bed and her son Isaac seeing his own room for the first time will make your heart melt! Moments like this prove that a home isn't just furniture—it's safety, healing, and hope.

In this video, we take on a special charity room transformation to help a family in need. Watch the full before-and-after room makeover as we focus on giving back to the community by taking an empty space and truly making a house a home. For over 40 years, the Orange County charity Human Options has been supporting local families affected by domestic violence through emergency shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy. One of their vital initiatives is the Second Step program—a transitional housing setup that gives survivors and their children a safe haven while they rebuild their lives.

A new home. A fresh start. A place to finally feel safe. This home was furnished for a courageous mom and her little boy who escaped domestic violence and received support through Laura’s House. After everything they had been through, they were beginning again in a new apartment with very little to make it feel like home.

This Memorial Day, we had the honor of helping Navy veteran Christopher Gonzalez transition from homelessness into a fully furnished home and a fresh new beginning. 🇺🇸 Christopher proudly served in the United States Navy from 2000 to 2007 aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), including deployments in 2001, 2003, and 2005. He served as a Machinist Mate and achieved the rank of Petty Officer 3rd Class (E4).

A young military family from Camp Pendleton with twin boys with autism and special needs lost everything when a devastating house fire destroyed their home. In a matter of moments, their furniture, clothing, sensory items, and essential belongings were gone. With two children requiring additional care and no nearby family support, starting over felt overwhelming.

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. I’m thankful to have a roof over our heads.” Those are the words Maria whispered to her children more times than she can count. There was a time when “home” meant a different motel every week. Plastic bags instead of dressers. Fast food napkins instead of kitchen towels. Nights in shelters where sleep never felt deep enough. All while carrying the weight of a family alone.

Some stories break your heart before they heal it. This is the story of a mother who fled domestic violence with her teenage daughter and three toddlers, leaving behind everything she owned just to keep them safe. With no money, no furniture, and nowhere to go, they started over in a shelter, hoping for a second chance. When they were finally approved for housing, they stepped into an empty apartment with nothing but a donated mattress on the floor. But what happened next changed their lives forever.

Teresa Parrott never imagined her life would become so quiet so suddenly. For years, her world revolved around caring for her husband, a proud Marine Veteran who had already given so much of himself to his country. When cancer entered their lives, Teresa stayed by his side with unwavering devotion. Appointments, medications, long nights, and harder mornings became her routine. She poured every ounce of love, strength, and every dollar she had into keeping him comfortable, hopeful, and never alone.

After escaping a dangerous domestic violence situation, Michelle and her 8-year-old son moved to California with nothing but hope for a new beginning. They were living in a one-bedroom apartment, sharing a bed on the floor, with no dining table and no support system.

DescriptionBecause of the generosity of our community, the Hernandez family, a young military family facing unsafe living conditions due to mold, was able to move into a safe, healthy home just in time for the holidays. What started as a difficult and overwhelming situation became a moment of relief, stability, and hope.

In honor of Veterans Day and the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday, we at Make It Your Home helped a young military family who has been through so much. Have you ever had those years when no matter how hard you work, something always comes up, the car breaks down, an unexpected bill hits and you just can’t get ahead? That was this family.

After 37 years in an abusive marriage, Helena, a woman in her late seventies from Eastern Europe, found the courage to leave and start over. With no family or support in the U.S., Interval House gave her shelter, safety, and legal help. When she moved into her new apartment, it was completely empty until Make It Your Home stepped in.

One brave woman escaping domestic violence, homeless with two small children, found hope through Interval Housing. The moment she received her empty apartment, we stepped in to transform it into a home filled with comfort, safety, and love. Thanks to Ladera Angels for sponsoring this strong mom and helping her build a better future for her children. We are so grateful for Eya Kane for running the show after the Interior Designer injury that day, turning compassion into action and making this home possible.

After fleeing years of abuse in New Jersey, Joanne came to California with little more than courage and her dog Brando. She quickly found work and, with the support of Radiant Futures, secured her very first apartment. Through the partnership between Radiant Futures and Make It Your Home, her empty space was fully furnished and transformed into a warm, welcoming home where she can finally rest, heal, and begin again.

With both of their families back in Michigan, Chris, an E4 Marine, and his wife Carmen started their life together with no support system and an empty base house. The isolation was heavy, and with little money for furniture, their dream of a warm modern farmhouse home felt far away. They longed for a space to host friends, welcome their parents, and simply feel at peace together. What was once bare and overwhelming is now a true home filled with comfort, dignity, and hope for their future. 

After enduring eviction, financial hardship, and starting over with almost nothing, Jafrin and Lizzy Santos were determined to rebuild a safe and stable home for their baby boy. Lizzy had managed to save for a few essentials such as a couch, a bed, and a kid mattress, but their house still felt bare and far from homey. Make It Your Home stepped in to furnish every space with care, creating a warm family living room, a tropical master retreat inspired by Jafrin’s Dominican roots, and a playful nautical themed room for their son. What was once empty and overwhelming is now filled with comfort, dignity, and hope for this hardworking Marine family.

Sandy, a single mom, spent her entire life sacrificing her own comfort to care for her children. She kept food on the table and joy in their lives but never invested in herself or her home, living with mismatched furniture and no real space of her own. Even after her kids grew up, she continued the same way, always putting others first. With the help of Make It Your Home, Sandy’s space was finally transformed into a warm, welcoming home that reflects the love and care she has always given to others.

This 4th of July, Make It Your Home partnered with Custom Comfort to honor those who keep us safe by furnishing the home of Lillian and Andrew, a young Marine couple in Oceanside. Preparing to welcome their first baby while facing deployment, financial strain, and caring for family health challenges, they were beginning life together in an empty house. Today, their space is complete—with a cozy living area, a nursery full of love, and a restful master bedroom anchored by a brand-new Custom Comfort mattress. What was once bare is now a true home where this Marine family can rest, recharge, and build their future.

The Deneau family worked hard to provide for their little boy, but with money tight and only mismatched furniture, their home never felt like a place of comfort. Every meal was eaten at their son’s tiny Mickey Mouse play table, the only spot they had to gather. Make It Your Home stepped in and gave them a real dining table, turning mealtime into a moment of connection, laughter, and love they had been missing. From a play table to a family table, thanks to our donors and volunteers, the Deneaus finally have a place to gather and connect.