Cleveland Nonprofit Needs Van to Help 3x More Homeless Families

A Cleveland nonprofit is asking for one donated van to triple its impact on families escaping homelessness.

Humble Design Cleveland furnishes empty apartments for veterans and families transitioning out of shelters, turning bare rooms into real homes complete with beds, dining tables, lamps, and wall art. Since launching in 2020, the organization has grown from serving one family per week to three, but their single moving truck can't keep up.

Executive Director Debbie Eastburn says the growth has created a transportation crisis. When the truck is reserved for client deliveries, staff and volunteers use their personal cars to haul furniture and decor, sometimes packing five or six vehicles just to complete one home transformation.

Operations Manager Brenda Szucs explains that each home takes three days to complete. Day one focuses on understanding the client's needs and past trauma to design a space where they feel safe. Day two involves loading large furniture onto the truck. Day three, called "Deco Day," requires volunteers to drive separately to maximize cargo space for finishing touches.

"The bigger the family we serve, the more cars we fill with household goods," Szucs said. When personal vehicles aren't enough, the nonprofit rents additional trucks, creating unplanned expenses that strain their budget.

A donated transit van would solve both problems. It would transport furnishings to client homes while freeing up the main truck to pick up donated furniture throughout the week, expanding inventory for future families.

Why This Inspires

Humble Design Cleveland's model proves that stable housing means more than four walls. Clients receive everything needed for daily life at no cost, allowing them to focus on job searches, childcare, and rebuilding their lives instead of scraping together money for a mattress or kitchen table.

The results speak volumes. According to 2024 data, 98 percent of clients surveyed one year later were still housed, a remarkable success rate in a field where many struggle with recurring homelessness.

The organization now serves seven to ten individuals weekly at their 18,000-square-foot warehouse in Solon. They accept gently used furniture donations Monday through Friday and welcome businesses to sponsor "Day of Joy" events where employees participate in home transformations.

One recent client referred by City Mission gained confidence and stability through the process, Szucs noted. "That transit van would be delivering more than stuff," she said. "It'd be delivering hope and dignity to our clients who are embarking on this next chapter of their lives."

A single vehicle could help hundreds more families turn empty apartments into homes where healing begins.