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What is greeNest?
greeNest is a volunteer driven furnishings assistance program that provides a mechanism for making quality furnishing donations from the public available to people who are transitioning after a set-back and making their way into self-sufficiency. greeNest accepts referrals from its Partnering agencies, which it relies on to qualify and refer eligible participants as outlined below.
Who shops at greeNest?
What makes greeNest unique, is the fact that we do not sell our furnishings to the public. Participants shop by appointments that are made via a referral process with our Partner Agencies. If you are in need and want to shop at greeNest, ask your case manager to send a referral. Do you have an appointment and have questions?
Who are "Participants"?
Our "Participants" are referred to us by a case manager with one of our partner agencies. The ideal candidate to receive furnishings is one who is currently transitioning or has recently transitioned into stable housing after a period of unstable housing due to homelessness, domestic violence, immigration status, substance abuse recovery, fire or natural disaster, recent release from incarceration or other circumstances. They also are employed or otherwise able to sustain the new housing situation long-term.
greeNest's partnering agencies are non-profits in Forsyth County that provide programs that address underlying causes of the participant’s current situation, promote self-sufficiency, and offer participant support after independent housing is secured. As such, each partnering agency refers only participants in a case managed program or participants receiving pastoral care.
Are there other greeNest locations:
No, greeNest currently only serves families in Forsyth County but there are other furniture banks and furniture assistance programs throughout the country. For example. greeNest is modeled after The Green Chair Project in Wake County. Both are independent nonprofit agencies working in their own communities to provide an affordable furnishing resource to transitioning families, offering them a hand up rather than a hand out. These agencies are connected through their cooperative desire to share strategies and resources to strengthen their own communities. In addition, The Green Chair Project’s Co-Founder and Board Member Beth Smoot currently serves as a Founding Board Member of greeNestWS, providing consultation regarding program services and operations.”
How much does it cost?
And who pays?
Most of the costs (receiving, processing, repairing, storing and ultimately placing the furnishings with the targeted recipients) are subsidized by supporters of greeNest. There is a one-time partnering agency fee of $50. The participant then pays a furnishing fee ranging from $25-300, depending on the furnishings they require to equip an apartment with everything needed. The cost to furnish a one-bedroom apartment is about $175. An agency or its donors may choose to sponsor the referred recipient if that recipient is unable to pay. Participant is also responsible for transporting all chosen items from greeNest after selections are made.
Who makes all of this happen?
With the exception of 1 full time Executive Director and 8 part-time staff, we are completely volunteer run. greeNest relies on an army of volunteers, without which it could not operate. These volunteers contribute their time, ideas, muscle, vision and talents to evaluate, process and prepare the donated items and create a warm setting to welcome the clients greeNest is serving. It is a blessing and a privilege to serve the community in such a meaningful way.
What items are collected?
Any new and gently used furniture or home furnishings: bedframes and headboards, sofas and loveseats, kitchen tables and chairs, occasional tables and lamps, pots and pans, dishes and utensils. We do not handle mattresses, box springs or baby items (cribs, highchairs, toys). Click here for a complete list of items that we CAN and CANNOT accept.
Do you pick up?
Yes! We have a box truck named Big Bird, and a small pick up truck named Birdie! Have something you want us to pick up? Click here to submit your request to Terry, our Warehouse Manager and she will contact you.