Our Mission
We provide comfortable and intentional home furnishings for those in need. We do this by using donated items to design and outfit empty spaces, turning them into homes. Currently, we are working with youth and young adults who have been homeless or have aged out of the foster care system.
Marvin’s Home Impact
Marvin's Home is more than just a furniture provider; we are a lifeline for young adults transitioning from foster housing to independent living. We often partner with Valley Youth House, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit that offers essential services such as housing, counseling, skills training, and more to vulnerable and homeless youth, including those leaving foster care. Collaborating with Marvin's Home, they refer clients who are working towards independent living and we work directly with their clients to transform their empty space into a home.
Our dedicated volunteers collect and transport furniture and furnishings, often generously donated by Mel's interior design clients and by other designers’ clients all over the region, to transform empty apartments into welcoming homes. Many of these young adults have never owned anything, let alone furniture. Witnessing their reactions during the 'reveal' of their furnished homes has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Supporting Our Cause
Marvin's Home relies on the generosity of our community and supporters to continue making a meaningful impact. Donations can be made in the form of household goods, items purchased from our wishlists, or cash.
“I know what it means to grow up deprived of a stable home, without the sense of security, safety, and belonging that home should provide. My background in social work, along with interior design, gave me the idea to form Marvin’s Home.”
-Mel McDaniel, Founder
Our Founder and Inspiration
Mel McDaniel, Founder and Design Director of Marvin's Home, knows firsthand the challenges of chronic housing instability. Raised by parents in a now-defunct religious order that constantly uprooted and relocated its members and their children, she understands the profound longing for a stable and secure home. She was voiceless, powerless, and yearned for a "real home."
Mel's background in social work and interior design led her to the creation of Marvin's Home, named after Marvin, her trusted companion in our mission. Her dedication and passion for our mission have made Marvin's Home a beacon of hope for young adults facing the challenging transition from foster care into independent living.
We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a spacious 'Home On Main' Lansdale showroom, housed in a historic 1920's-era building originally used as a car dealership. The proceeds from our showroom sales directly support our programs.
Join Us in Making a Difference
At Marvin's Home, we believe that everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to call home. With your support, we can continue to provide solid, gently-used furniture and furnishings, offering a sense of belonging, safety, and comfort to those in need. Together, we can show these young adults that the community cares about them and is here to help them on their path to a brighter future.