Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
A Sense of Home Gala to Honor Co-Founders Georgie Smith and Melissa Goddard
A Sense of Home will honour co-founders Georgie Smith and Melissa Goddard at its Legacy of Home Gala in Los Angeles on 12 November. The event recognises their work building the nonprofit, which aims to prevent homelessness among young people leaving foster care by helping them establish homes and supportive communities; they plan to step back from daily operations in 2027.
CEO Rachel Stich is set to lead the organisation as it expands beyond Los Angeles, including through a recently launched New York City chapter. The nonprofit also adapted its home-creation model after the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, providing furnishings and household goods to 1,000 families who lost their homes. The gala, hosted by actor Karen Pittman, will also give inaugural Founders Awards to board member Drew Scott and programme recipient Regina Brodell.
In short
- A Sense of Home will honour its co-founders at a 12 November gala.
- Smith and Goddard plan to step back from daily operations in 2027.
- The nonprofit provided household goods to 1,000 wildfire-affected families.
Explained simply
Young people leaving foster care often have to find housing and build a support network at the same time. A Sense of Home is a nonprofit that helps them set up homes and connect with supportive communities, aiming to reduce the risk of homelessness.
Georgie Smith and Melissa Goddard co-founded the organisation, which is led by chief executive Rachel Stich. Its work began in Los Angeles and is expanding to other places, including New York City. The organisation has also used its home-furnishing approach to help families who lost their homes in the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.
The gala recognises the founders’ role in building the nonprofit and its work. Its awards also recognise people connected to the organisation, including a board member and someone who received support through its programmes.