The Power of Home

The San Diego Union-Tribune recently highlighted a study by UCSD that highlights the importance of making a house feel like a home. While having shelter is a critical need that thousands in San Diego are searching for, we need more than four walls and a ceiling. The study investigated the impact of furnishings and design on newly housed individuals and families. Approximately 25% of newly housed San Diegans fall back into homelessness. However, those who had gone through a program that helped design and furnish the space had a rate of returning to homelessness of 2.3%.

One of the special aspects of the El Nido program is setting the space. From the very beginning, volunteers from congregations and nonprofits furnish and decorate the El Nido units so that families immediately have a home to move into when they enter the program.  In addition to this warm welcome, graduates from the program are free to take that "home" experience with them when they leave El Nido. El Nido grads are invited to take any and all furnishings from their El Nido unit with them as they move into their post-El Nido permanent residence. This invitation ensures that their new beginning is on a solid foundation. After moving out of their El Nido unit, generous congregations and nonprofits reset the space with furnishings, household items, and a fully stocked fridge so that the next family will have the same abundant greeting.

ISN is so grateful for the organizations that sponsor El Nido units!