A local home before and after Furnish Forward worked its magic.
At Tuesday’s Batavia Rotary Club breakfast, local resident Tim Sullivan shared how his nonprofit Furnish Forward — which he founded with his wife Sharon and runs with the help of his brother Terry — helps transform empty apartments into comfortable, fully furnished homes for individuals and families emerging from homelessness.
Based in Batavia but serving much of Kane County (including Geneva and St. Charles), the couple and their volunteer team provide everything from beds and couches to kitchenware and décor, often completing full home setups in a single day.
Key things to know
Founding: The Sullivans started Furnish Forward after volunteering with similar Chicago-area programs like Humble Design.
Early progress: Since launching locally about a year ago, they’ve furnished roughly 17 homes — many for families in Batavia — and partner with agencies like CHIP IN Batavia Lazarus House to identify folks to help.
Creating home: Furnish Forward focuses on turning a “place to live” into a home, which they say plays a major role in long-term stability and reduces the likelihood of families returning to homelessness. Studies show that success rates are significantly higher when housing comes furnished.
Customization: Every project is personalized. Designers meet with each household to learn about their needs and tastes, right down to colors, hobbies, or favorite sports teams. Then they select and set up furniture, artwork, and even toys for kids.
The nonprofit is seeking community support to sustain its work — donations of quality furniture, volunteers to help with moving days, and funds to offset expenses like truck rentals and storage space.
Get in touch
For more information or to get involved or contribute, contact Furnish Forward at 630-397-9997 or [email protected]. Their website is currently under construction.
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