March Aragon Cares: HomeFirst Services

by Katie Bartenslager

Each year, weather and natural disasters become more unpredictable. We have seen ice storms in Texas that have left people without power for a week and we have seen fires tear through the pacific northwest. Imagine battling all the elements the Earth has to offer, without a home.

This month for our Aragon Cares activity, we are honored to help HomeFirst Services, and their mission to confront homlessness, by purchasing and donating necessary supplies for the people they help house.

HomeFirst Services

HomeFirst Services is a leading provider of services, shelter, and housing opportunities to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Santa Clara County. They serve more than 6,000 adults, veterans, families, and youth each year at nine locations including one of the county’s largest homeless services centers.

HomeFirst Services is determined to help people find and keep permanent housing through their strategy of “housing first.” They get people off of the streets quickly and support them to keep their housing permanent. They manage four different locations and have over 95 properties to help house people. Not only do they house people, they also provide hope and support by helping people acquire the necessary skills and confidence to find a job and support themselves financially.

How We Helped HomeFirst Services

To help HomeFirst Services, Aragon Research purchased items from their Amazon Smile Wishlist to help fulfil their need for emergency shelter supplies. Each Aragon employee chose an item from Homefirst’s wishlist. The items we were able to donate included:

• Blankets
• Laundry detergent
• Floss
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Deodorant
• Shower shoes

And much more!

Why We Donated to HomeFirst Services

We donated to HomeFirst Services because Silicon Valley has become the fifth- highest homeless population with an average of about 7,000 people on the street nightly. We know and believe that everyone should have access to necessary health supplies and a place to stay. I personally have been to skid row in Los Angeles and worked with the homeless population to provide supplies and try to combat the homeless crisis, so this mission means a lot to me. “Homelessness can happen to anyone and everyone deserves a place to live” – HomeFirst Services. You can help HomeFirst Service in many different ways and you can learn more here.

Keep an eye out for our next Aragon Cares event next month!