6 Free Ways You Can Support Home Start

6 Powerful Ways to Support Home Start Without Spending a Dollar

At Home Start, we believe that every act of kindness, no matter how small, makes a big impact. If you care about helping families in need, but you're on a tight budget, you're not alone 😊 the good news is, there are plenty of ways you can support our mission without opening your wallet.

Here are 6 practical, meaningful ways you can help us build brighter futures, absolutely free:

1. Write a Positive Google Review

Online reviews are powerful! A few kind words on Google can help Home Start reach more people - whether they need our programs, want to volunteer, or are looking to donate.

How to help:

Take 2 minutes to leave a 5-star review here (Google Reviews).
Share why you support Home Start or what you love about our Thrift Boutique or programs.
Mention your favorite event or how you've seen us make an impact.

💬 Your review builds trust and visibility.

2. Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Want to stay in the loop while helping us grow? Signing up for our email newsletter is one of the easiest ways to stay connected! The more subscribers we have, the more support we can rally for programs that matter.

Why it matters:

Our newsletter helps amplify important campaigns and success stories.
It helps us build a community that’s informed and inspired to act.
You’ll be the first to know about volunteer opportunities, donation drives, and upcoming events.

📬 One sign-up = a step toward stronger community outreach.

3. Engage with Our Social Media Posts

Likes, comments, and shares might seem small—but they’re mighty! When you interact with our posts, you help more people discover Home Start. Social media algorithms favor engagement, so every interaction helps extend our reach.

How to support:

Like and comment on our posts (bonus: leave a heartwarming message).
Share our content to your stories or feed, especially during campaigns or fundraisers.
Tag a friend who might want to get involved.

📱 Click the icons below to be taken to our profiles and be sure you follow or like them.

4. Donate Items to the Home Start Thrift Boutique

Cleaning out your closet? Decluttering your garage? Your gently used clothing, home goods, and accessories can become direct support for local families. All sales at our Thrift Boutique go toward funding our life-changing programs.

What to donate:

Gently used clothing, shoes, accessories
Small household items, décor, books
Unused hygiene or baby care products

🛍️ Your donations help fund housing, counseling, and family support services.

How to donate

Come directly to the store at 3611 Adams Ave, San Diego, in the Normal Heights neighborhood. Please donate only gently used items. Find out more about the Home Start Thrift Boutique.

5. Tell Your Friends and Family About Us

Word of mouth is still one of the most powerful tools out there. When you share why you support Home Start, you help us connect with others who may need our services or want to get involved.

Start the conversation:

Share our mission during a coffee catch-up or on social media.
Forward our newsletter to a friend.
Invite someone to an event or volunteer day.

🗣️ When you talk about Home Start, you help grow our village.

6. Volunteer for an event or project

Giving your time is one of the most generous (and completely free!) ways to make an impact. Whether you're helping out at one of our signature fundraising events (Hallo-Wine and Blue Ribbon Gala), updating a home in our Maternity Housing Program, sorting donations at our Thrift Boutique, or supporting our Toy Drive, your hands-on help keeps our programs running strong.

How to get involved:

Browse the available Volunteer Opportunities (come back often, we update it regularly)
Consider a Group Volunteer Opportunity. We partner with corporate, community, faith-based, school, service, and other groups that want to support our mission.
Examples of group volunteer projects: Facility improvement projects, distribution events, hygiene and food kit assembly events, hosting donation drives, and more.Interested? Email Volunteer Coordinator Manasi Watts at mwatts@home-start.org
Join us for special events like our Hallo-Wine Fall Festival, Diaper Drives, or First Five graduation celebrations.

Supporting Home Start doesn’t have to cost a thing. Whether you’ve got 60 seconds to leave a review, 5 minutes to share a post, or a bag of items to donate, you’re helping families move forward with dignity and hope.