For visionaries Georgie Smith and Melissa Goddard, establishing a genuine home transcends merely assigning physical walls and a roof. It means anchoring young individuals—particularly those emerging from turbulent foster care backgrounds—with stability, individual dignity, and profound belonging.

This core philosophy drove the 2015 launch of A Sense of Home (ASOH) in Los Angeles, born from an eye-opening encounter that redefined how the co-founders viewed homelessness and systemic youth transitions.

Smith distinctly recalls stepping into a young man's newly acquired apartment following his departure from the foster care pipeline. His meager possessions were stashed inside plastic trash bags within a completely barren living space. Standing amidst the emptiness, Smith experienced a profound epiphany regarding how environments dictate human potential.

“Standing in the space was the first time I ever thought about how we humans spend at least two-thirds of our entire life inside of our own home,” Smith reflects. “The feeling I had of profound emptiness in the space forced me to understand the gigantic psychological difference between being sheltered and feeling at home.”

This encounter catalyzed deep research into systemic vulnerabilities. Approximately 500,000 children navigate the foster system yearly, with 10% aging out annually into abrupt independence without family safety nets. For Smith, bridging this gap required moving past basic housing deficits to address deep-seated psychological needs necessary for sustainable independence. More than ten years later, ASOH has successfully upended the trajectory for over 3,300 former foster youth and their children across Los Angeles.

The Psychology Behind True Stability

Traditional anti-homelessness interventions frequently miss a critical component: the psychological resonance of home. While career pathways and temporary shelters matter, Smith emphasizes that true recovery hinges on spaces that signal physiological safety.

“Our biological and psychological well-being is completely shaped by home, impacting our nervous system, hormone production, cognitive function, and overall daily well-being,” Smith explains. Because roughly 95% of ASOH recipients carry complex trauma, simply handing over keys can initially trigger anxiety and hypervigilance rather than comfort.

ASOH directly counters this through intentional, personalized interiors that cultivate corrective emotional experiences. Backed by their Three Step Pathway to Stability—combining housing access, customized home design, and long-term community—recipients learn to trust their surroundings again.

Co-founder Goddard adds that empathetic execution is equally vital. “Authentic, sincere compassion, coupled with love in action, genuine care and radical presence, is key to lasting change,” she states.

Celebrating a Community of Changemakers

On November 12, Radford Studios in Los Angeles hosted the annual Legacy of Home Gala, honoring Smith and Goddard ahead of their planned 2027 transition of daily operations to CEO Rachel Stich. The evening gathered notable figures including Tobey Maguire, Bianca Lawson, Soleil Moon Frye, and Drew Scott.

Moving away from traditional galas, the venue featured cozy, fully furnished lounge areas utilizing actual pieces designated for ASOH recipients. Actress Karen Pittman emceed the night, while Drew Scott and program recipient Regina Brodell accepted the inaugural Founders Awards.

Expanding the Mission Across America

Looking forward, ASOH is scaling its blueprint. Following a May 2026 expansion into New York City—home to the nation’s second-largest foster demographic—the organization plans to double its Los Angeles output by 2027.

Furthermore, ASOH mobilized a Disaster Recovery Program after the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, furnishing homes for 900 households with projections to reach 1,000 families by late 2026. As Smith and Goddard prepare to step down, their enduring framework remains a national beacon for holistic community care.