The Second Judicial Circuit Guardian ad Litem Program 1st Beginnings project provides assistance to youth in our community who are venturing out on their own for the first time.
Many youth move into their first abode with no furniture and only an air mattress upon which to sleep. With no existing resources to provide household essentials like furniture, linens and kitchenware, 1st Beginnings provides youth in or aging out of foster care with everything they need for their first home.
You can learn more about the project, our sponsors and how to help us make a difference in many young lives.
Hand in hand, we will help youth to have not just a place to live… but a place to call home.
How It Works
The 1st Beginnings process is simple and includes three basic steps.
❶ Stores, local businesses and individuals donate new and like new items or funds.
❷ Youth get an appointment to visit our storage facility and shop for items free of charge.
❸ Youth start their independence with a fully-furnished home plus incidentals without debt.
How to Help
We need your help to ensure that 1st Beginnings is a success. Whether representing a company or supporting individually, we appreciate any assistance you can offer. All donations are tax deductible.
❶ Donate new household items
- Furniture such as dressers, dining tables, chairs and sofas
- Linens such as sheets, towels, pillow cases and washcloths
- Kitchenware such as dishes, pots, pans, silverware, cups and glasses
our full household items list is available at the bottom of the page
Contact us to make arrangements to donate
❷ Contribute money
- Funds may be used to purchase needed items or sponsor a youth on their journey
- PayPal donations are accepted; contact us if you want to donate offline
Donate now via PayPal by selecting a button
❸ Get the project flyer and letter
- Download and print the flyer and letter
- Post the flyer to community bulletin boards and display it at your business
- Distribute the letter to family, friends and colleagues
❹ Share this page online
- Link to this page using email and social media
- Use the easy to remember short link → gal2.org/first
Email
Facebook
Google+
LinkedIn
Pinterest
StumbleUpon
Tumblr
Twitter
Project Sponsors
1st Beginnings is only possible with the generous support of others, such as our project sponsors.
- Akerman LLP
- Big Bend Chapter of the Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc.
- Guardian ad Litem Foundation Second Circuit, Inc.
- Killearn United Methodist Church iServe
- The Living Harvest Thrift Store
- StorQuest Self Storage
- Tallahassee Bar Association Young Lawyers Section
- Westminster Oaks
Project Contact
Receiving and transporting donated items requires some logistical planning. Please contact us to schedule a donation time or ask questions about 1st Beginnings.
(850) 606-1200
(850) 606-1218
gal.fl.govPlease note that we cannot accept unscheduled donations at our office or storage unit. Simply call or email first and we will happily make arrangements with you. Thank you for your understanding!
Household Items List
Items with a yellow star 
icon are the most needed at this time. Please note that we cannot accept used mattresses; worn out items; damaged items; items with marks or stains; or fabric furniture from homes with pets or smokers. The list, which is also available to download, was updated on Friday, March 30, 2018.
- General
- Gift cards for T.J. Maxx, Target, HomeGoods, Dollar General, Walmart and similar retailers
- Kitchen
- Pots and pans with lids (new or great condition)
- Cooking utensils
- Kitchen knives
- Mixing bowls
- New kitchen trash cans
- Dishes and glasses (sets)
- Flatware sets
- Small microwave ovens
- New dish towels
- Electric/manual can openers
- Four and twelve cup coffee makers/filters
- Crock pots
- Electric mixers
- New microwavable food storage containers
- Small kitchen tables and chairs
- Bathroom
- New bath towels, hand towels and washcloths
- New bath mats
- New shower curtain and hook sets
- New small trash cans
- Bedroom
- Small dressers
- Nightstands
- Small bookshelves
- Small lamps
- Living Room
- Lamps, shades and bulbs
- Small televisions with stands
- Love seats
- Living room chairs
- Sofas
- Small coffee tables
- Other Housekeeping Items
- Irons and ironing boards
- Laundry baskets
- New bagless vacuum cleaners
- Framed mirrors
- New mops, brooms and dustpans
- Decorative items
- Flashlights and batteries
