Rotary Happenings: Rotarians hear about mission behind Furnish with Care
Abraham Harold Maslow was an American psychologist who was best known for creating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a theory of psychological health predicated on fulfilling innate human needs in priority, culminating in self-actualization and human motivation. The hierarchy of needs identifies the first two levels of his pyramid as covering human’s physiological and safety needs. Our physiological needs are met when we have access to water, food, shelter, sleep, clothing, et cetra. Our safety needs are met when we feel we have personal security, resources and good health. Our health is dependent on the place in which we live. Making the place that we live more than just a house but a home is what Elizabeth Piersol is all about.
Piersol is the owner of Piersol Design Inc., an interior design firm. In 2020, she founded the nonprofit Furnish with Care to provide design and furnishings for families in economic need in Lee County. For many families in our area, finding a home is a challenge with a huge financial burden in the current housing crisis in Southwest Florida, so much so that furnishing that home becomes a luxury that many families cannot afford. In partnership with other nonprofits, Furnish with Care’s goal is to make a house a home for those in financial need.
Piersol’s firsthand experience in designing a home for a woman with a disability allowed her to see the transformative power that a well-designed home can have. Furnish with Care works with Lee County not-for-profits and social service agencies and identifies individuals and families in need, with secured housing, and who are in need of their services. Then, its design team meets with the residents in their homes — and case workers, when appropriate — to identify the unique design needs for the space and circumstances. It works with volunteers and donors to provide the items needed to completely furnish and transform the houses into homes.
Piersol is a graduate of The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and Trachtenberg School of Public Administration, where she received her master’s certificate in non-profit management. Her thesis was on affordable housing for seniors, displaced families and people with disabilities. Prior to starting her design firm, Piersol worked in politics both in the field as an organizer and on Capitol Hill, before shifting to journalism as a TV producer in Washington for news and public affairs, domestic and international politics.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club holds a meeting on Fridays at 7:15 a.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, and via Zoom; doors open at 6:45 a.m. To attend in person, email William.Harkey@gmail.com before the meeting. For more information, visit sanibelrotary.org or www.facebook.com/sancaprotary.