About Us

Rooms for Change was conceived by Karon Fields, MSW, a social worker for more than twenty-five years. Following her passion, in 2006 Karon established an interior design consultancy and

Karon Fields, Executive Director, Rooms for Change

immediately recognized a way to blend the two parts of her life. “I saw this organization as a way to create a meaningful opportunity for young people coming out of the foster care system to begin their lives in a positive environment, says Karon. I know first-hand the myriad difficulties facing youth in transition.” Determined to make a difference, Karon cultivated this unique opportunity to utilize the interior design industry to create comfortable living spaces reflective of each youth’s lifestyle and personal preferences.

There are currently nearly 500,000 children in foster care in the United States. Every year in California more than 2,000 youth reach the age of eighteen and become independent or otherwise leave the foster care system.

After leaving the foster care system, these emancipated youth earn an average of $6,000 annually, well below the poverty level. With minimal income, transition into living quarters that are comfortable is often not an option. Rooms For Change represents a new possibility—changing a certain future of less than adequately furnished homes.

Interior design professionals, community partners and former foster youth pool resources and talents to design spaces, paint rooms and install new furnishings. The goal is to expose youth to new ways of seeing themselves and their homes, encouraging them to reach for higher goals for themselves and their communities.

FRIENDS OF ROOMS FOR CHANGE

First Place Fund for Youth Oakland, CA

IKEA Emeryville, CA

Benjamin Moore Paints/East Bay Paint Company Albany, CA

CBK Designs Oakland, CA

KPIX Channel 5 San Francisco, CA

John Rix, electrician, Berkeley, CA

Russell Foote Photography Hayward, CA

Jennifer Donahue Graphic Designer San Francisco

Flyin’ West Strategic Marketing Resource Group Fremont, CA

Aran Johnson, website programer Oakland, CA

Sherrell Dorsey, Accession Public Relations