Inforum: Nearly 700 local families helped this year through Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley

This is a story covered by Kevin Wallevand at WDAY in Fargo, ND reported initially on Wednesday, November 29th 2023. Our intent is to preserve this story on our website because of how meaningful it is to us. To read the story published on InForum.com, Click Here.

FARGO — Furniture Mission of the Red River Valley has only been around for three years but the nonprofit has already helped nearly 2,000 families here get back on their feet by helping them get an apartment or home furnished with the very basics.
And volunteers make it all possible.
It's almost as if you just entered a Christmas elves workshop. At Furniture Mission in Fargo on Wednesday, Nov. 29, volunteers Dewey Uhlir and Eva Waslaski are building, repairing and painting tables for clients who will soon be coming through the doors. Wednesday is busy.

"Yep, so today we have 23 families on the schedule to come in and receive furniture," said Jordan McCormick, Furniture Mission's executive director
McCormick oversees this finely-tuned machine at 2600 Third Ave. N. An old boat factory and sandbag warehouse now changes the lives of people who are starting from scratch.

"The common denominator we see is, starting over. There's no one answer, there's no silver bullet," McCormick said.
People like Angelique Brown of Fargo just moved into a place after dealing with homelessness.
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"Everything. I had to start completely over," Brown said. "My kids, I had to give them to my mom since July until I found a new place and I needed furniture to get them back home to me, so I came and got beds, furniture, blankets for my kids, everything. An amazing experience."
People can't just come in off the street and get furniture. Referrals are needed.
Dakota Koros has a unique perspective. "Meth has caused me to lose everything multiple times," Koros said.
As part of his recovery program at Share House, Koros has been working at Furniture Mission, and soon he will be done with his treatment program.

"I basically own clothes, so I'm definitely going to probably come through here and get the things I need for my apartment when I'm ready," Koros said.
For these 20 to 30 volunteers, helping local families get back on their feet, some even find it hard to talk about.

"Kind of emotional, I feel so blessed in my life if I can serve people who have had difficult circumstances," Uhlir said.
For Brown, she has her children back and a home with tables and chairs and beds. It's a different Christmas season for her.
"I think Christmas is going to be the best it's been in years," she said.
While there are 20 to 30 volunteers right now, more are needed.