b'MAKINGEACHDAYCOUNTWarehouse NJ founder Kim Sleeman (center) with vol-unteers Tim Baker and Lea Cruz at their new location in Maplewood.Kim Sleeman helps createwelcoming homes for unhoused familiesBY ELLEN DONKERF our years ago, Kim Sleeman was fac- they moved to permanent housing, most lacked theHills until they could go out to clients. When her ing a birthday milestone and beganresources and connections to get furnitureeven aspace became maxed out with couches stacked upon reflecting on what she wanted her fu- bedand move it in. couches and end tables lining the walls, she shifted ture to look like. Rather than ease upThat was a void she felt sure she could fill by us- her inventory to storage units and, finally, a ware-at 50 years old, she decided to ramping her network to not only source gently used fur- house in Orange. She calls it the Warehouse NJ.upandaccomplishsomethingthatniture, dcor and household items, but also to findSleeman moved her operation to Maplewood on mattered. volunteers willing to serve as movers. October 10. Situated at 221 Rutgers Street, the non-Sleeman had fond memories of her two years inAs her idea began to take shape, Bridges receivedprofit has come a long way in four and a half years. the Peace Corps in Niger, and she loved her years10Section8housingvouchersforthefirsttimeShehasalignedherselfwithmorethan40 social volunteering with Bridges, an organization in Sum- through a government program that provides assis- services agencies that help vulnerable populations: mit serving the homeless; the Junior League of thetance to very-low-income families for decent, safewomen fleeing domestic violence; men and women Oranges and Short Hills; and various school PTOs.and sanitary housing. When Sleeman found out theliving on the streets; refugees escaping persecution; But she wanted to do more than help with a fewfamilies would need furniture, she felt her directionfamilies living in their car who were displaced by a projects each year. confirmed and collected and moved in everythingflood or fire; young people couch surfing after aging Given her experience on the Bridges board, Sl- for all 10 families.out of the foster system. The list goes on.eeman was well versed in the plight of unhousedInitially she put out feelers to families and friends,I keep saying Ive seen every scenario, Sleeman individuals and families. She also knew that oncestowing household donations in her home in Shortsays. And then I hear another one.40/ matters magazine / holiday 2023'