In 2017 Ericka was part of starting a yearly free shopping event for families who had recently been rehoused after spending time homeless. This event had a profound impact on Ericka and helped her to realize how important wrap-around services are for breaking the cycle of homelessness and creating long term secure housing.

This led to the dream of offering access to free home essential all year long and the creation of The Wherehouse. The Wherehouse is part of building long term secure housing by helping basic needs be met. If someone doesn’t have blankets to keep them warm or kitchen utensils to cook with, they will not be able to focus their energy on work and other aspects of home maintenance. The Wherehouse provides a key ingredient to success: dignity, offering families and individuals the opportunity to shop for brand new items of their choice. The Wherehouse’s mission offers a jumpstart back into long term secure housing for those it assists by removing on the the first barriers to moving into a new home, supplying essential household items in a timely manner.