"A Place to Call Home": A Donor's Story
After years of moving around the country as part of a Navy family, CommonBond donor Judy Fulk has called Minnesota “home” for over 30 years. Married with two adult children, she and her family have hosted international exchange students so that they, too, might have a place to call home during their time here. After years of charitable giving to various causes, Judy realized she wanted to have an impact on a more foundational level. Read her thoughtful testimony below to learn why she supports CommonBond, and what having a stable home means to her.
"I believe that homes play a foundational role in anchoring people’s lives."
Judy Fulk
I have always had a home, but many do not.
Like many people, I am frequently asked to donate money to support causes I am passionate about. While in some cases the causes make for an easy decision (for me, this includes the environment, disaster relief, and health causes), I realized two years ago something was missing. I wanted to donate to a cause that would address root issues in my own community. This is why I donate to CommonBond.
A home allows people to focus on helping their children grow, working, or being part of a community versus struggling to secure the most basic needs. Homes provide stability, belonging, and the ability to recharge each night. Knowing you have a safe place of your own allows you to focus on not just surviving, but thriving and building a secure future for your family.
As Maya Angelou wrote, ““The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
I have been fortunate, and with fortune comes an obligation to give. It is only recently that I’ve realized that it is not the biggest, most trendy cause that makes a difference; instead, it’s the ability to contribute toward changing the lives of people in our community by helping provide a place to call home, and seeing the ripple effect that the security of an affordable home can have.