Move-In Ministry
Move-In Ministry serves individuals and families moving out of homelessness into housing by providing household goods, and furniture. Moving from homelessness into stable housing is a joy but it also comes with the stress and difficulty of obtaining basic household items and furniture necessary for independent living.
What: Started in 2017 by Andrea Liggett (Holy Family), Joy Thielsen (LWUMC) and LeAnn White, Move-In Ministry seeks to meet an unmet need – providing household goods and furniture for people exiting homelessness. We serve anyone who needs our services, as resources allow, primarily on the Eastside.
How: Donations of furniture and household goods are mainly from friends, churches, and nonprofit organizations like Assistance League and St. Vincent DePaul.
Offer Up, Facebook Marketplace, Craig’s List and neighborhood groups are a few of the places we aquire items. All the moving of furniture and home goods is done by volunteers.
When necessary we purchase basic essentials, such as shower curtains, pillows, silverware, towels, sheets, and blankets. Funding for these items is provided by LWUMC, Holy Family, and Assistance League of the Eastside.
Where: Currently, Holy Family provides, free of charge, storage space in a shed on their Kirkland property. In fall of 2026 we will be losing this storage facility. Without another storage space Move-in Ministry cannot continue.
City of Kirkland is funding a smaller offsite overflow storage unit.
Benefits: Moving a client into an apartment is the goal of most programs that serve people experiencing homelessness. However, if someone moves into an apartment without the proper furnishings, it can be a very challenging environment. Without this service, we’ve had clients who couldn’t use the shower because there was no shower curtain. Some aren’t able to sleep inside because there was no bed causing them to sleep in their car as it is more comfortable. They are unable to cook due to no pots, pans, or dishes. The items from Move-in Ministry make an apartment a home, showing clients respect and dignity, and improving a client’s ability to stay, and thrive, in housing.
Needs:
- Storage Space – currently looking for heated warehouse space.
- Funds to purchase household items
- Volunteers to help with picking up and delivering furniture
Clients served in 2021 – 75
Clients served in 2022 – 106
Clients served in 2023 – 145
Clients served in 2024 – 188
Clients served in 2025 – 211
Clients are referred by Sophia Way, LWUMC Safe Parking, St Vincent DePaul, Lake Washington School District, City of Kirkland, and New Bethlehem.
Contact Us
7525 132nd Ave. NE Kirkland, WA 98033 View a map
Email: office@lakewaumc.org
Church Office: (425) 885-3311
Safe Parking: (425) 464-SAFE