Furnishing Hope + Living Spaces
Featuring veteran Juan Celisgonzalez and family.
A warm, inviting, comfortable space. It’s not only where our wounded heroes deserve to come home, it’s where they need to come home, so they can begin the process of healing. Interior designer Beth Phillips and her daughter, Robyn Phillips have made this a reality through Furnishing Hope — an organization that provides furniture and design services to wounded heroes and their families.
Robyn Phillips (left) & Beth Phillips (right) in a room styled by Beth.
Initially established in 2003, Furnishing Hope shifted their focus to veterans entirely in 2010 after witnessing how difficult the transition from active duty to civilian living had been. The privately funded 501 C (3) then teamed up with Living Spaces, as well as other sponsors and donors, to fill the homes of veterans with furniture, accessories and supplies.
“We are so grateful,” shares Daniel’s wife, Jessica. “Everything is beautiful…I don’t even want to move things around. I want to leave it all just the way you guys left it. We can’t thank you guys enough.”
Furnishing Hope’s Progress
1,770 beds have been delivered to families within Furnishing Hope's programs.
To date, 686 homes have been furnished for wounded hero families.
98% of all Furnishing Hope contributions go directly to families in need.
Born in Santa Ana, George Ceja joined the Army in 2009 to challenge and improve himself, and to support his single mother and three younger siblings. During his deployment in Afghanistan, he served as a Cavalry Scout and sustained several traumatic injuries in 2011.
George was discharged in 2013 and came back home to continue to support his family, while they helped him through his recovery. He moved once their situation stabilized, and reached out to Furnishing Hope to help him furnish his empty apartment. Now, he aspires to become a Canine Handler for Homeland Security, an Air Marshall or a Nutritionist.
It was amazing. Till this day, I walk in and I get a big smile. Feels like I actually have a home to come to. Furnishing Hope did an amazing job. I never would have pictured my apartment looking how it does today. I am very grateful and honored for Furnishing Hope to help not just myself but my family.”
Awards
- Purple Heart
- Army Commendation Medal (2)
- Army Achievement Medal
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Ribbon (2)
- NATO Meritorious Service Medal
- Combat Action Badge
- Shutzenschnuschiessen (Gold)
- Army Physical Fitness Badge
Having joined the Navy to better himself, Jeffery Farah served on the USS Ronald Reagan as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician.
He was discharged in 2011 after sustaining several injuries. Now, a husband and father of two, Jeffery plans to get back to work and make his family’s life better. Furnishing Hope has been a part of ensuring that dream comes true.
It was the greatest blessing we could have ever received. I’ll never forget walking into our newly furnished home. I cried tears of joy. Our house is now a home. We are forever grateful for all the wonderful people who came to help. Thank you is not enough for all that was done for me and my family.”
Awards
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
- Navy E Ribbon
- Good Conduct Award (2)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Expeditionary Medal
- Global War Service Medal
Will Makaafi joined the Marines in 2007 to serve his country and make a difference. As a rifleman, he served in Karma, Iraq and Sangin, Afghanistan, where he sustained traumatic brain injuries and severe combat stress and anxiety.
Will’s wife and son have since been his support system, helping relieve his emotional and physical wounds as he recovers and looks forward to a future where he can lead a normal life, finish college and start a business. Furnishing Hope has assisted in his healing by providing Will and his family with the comforts of home.
It felt very surreal that this organization would help alter my personal life that affects my daily living. I was going through a number of emotions, I felt emotionally happy, relieved, excited and grateful!!”
Awards
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Navy Unit Commendation
- Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Medal
- Afghan Campaign Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
- NATO Meritorious Service Medal
After 9/11, Marcos Luevanos joined the army to serve his country. As a Cavalry Scout, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division and the 2/11 Squadron at Fort Irwin. After an IED blast in 2006, he lost hearing in his right ear and sustained traumatic brain injuries.
Furnishing Hope has helped Marcos, his wife and their two daughters by making their space a comfortable place to live, and he hopes to pay it forward to his fellow veterans in any way he can.
This is an amazing organization. If wasn’t for them, my wife, my daughters and I would still be sleeping on air mattresses. Thank you guys so much.”
Awards
- Purple Heart
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Achievement Medal
During a routine patrol in Iraq, Michael’s vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb, giving him a concussion and a spinal injury that resulted in 4 surgeries.
He was discharged in 2010, and two years later the former Army Infantryman and his wife, April, were awarded a house. Furnishing Hope helped make that house a home while the couple was expecting their first child. They later had two additional children in the very same home.
The scariest thing for everybody is to be forgotten. For people not to care anymore. So when anybody takes the time to do something like this for any of us, it makes it, I don’t know how to explain it…I feel very lucky, very blessed. It feels good. Life is good.”
After returning home from having served in the Army overseas, veteran Daniel Torres had a very difficult time adjusting to life as he knew it. He first spent time living in his car before moving into a shelter. He later moved in with his wife and her parents, and eventually, they were able to get the house in which they now live. With the help of the Furnishing Hope team, that house became a home.
I'm hoping that this is where we stay for the rest of my life, a place for my daughter and my family to grow old in and have good memories. For the first time, we finally have our own furnished home, and we can move on with our lives.”
Awards
- Army Accommodation Medal
- National Defense Service Metal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Army Service Ribbon
