We collect discarded items, redistribute them to people experiencing homelessness, and help them obtain the official documents they need to find work and stable housing.
Every year, countless usable items — clothing, bags, furniture, tools, electronics — are abandoned or thrown away. Meanwhile, individuals experiencing homelessness lack not just basic necessities but also the critical documents required to re-enter the workforce.
Sumer's Speciality Schemes Inc bridges that gap. We recover and redistribute those items, and pair that support with document assistance — helping people obtain government-issued IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and other paperwork that employers require. Because a job application can't go far without an ID.
Recover abandoned goods and match them with people who need them most.
Help clients navigate government agencies to obtain IDs and vital records.
Connect clients to job training, interview prep, and hiring partners.
Build lasting peer networks so no one faces the road back alone.
A simple, community-driven cycle that turns discarded items into pathways out of homelessness.
Donated or abandoned items are picked up from drop-off locations, apartment complexes, and city clean-up programs.
Volunteers sort, clean, and repair items at our distribution center to ensure everything is in good, usable condition.
Items are matched to individuals in need through shelter partnerships and direct outreach programs.
Caseworkers guide clients through obtaining government IDs, birth certificates, and social security cards — and connect them to employment resources.
One of the most overlooked barriers to escaping homelessness is documentation. Many individuals lose their IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards during periods of displacement. Without those documents, they cannot open a bank account, qualify for housing assistance, or pass a basic employment background check.
Our dedicated caseworkers navigate government agencies on behalf of clients — covering fees, managing paperwork, and accompanying clients to appointments — so that a missing document is never the reason someone can't move forward.
State ID or driver's license required for employment, banking, and housing applications.
The foundational document for obtaining all other identification.
Required for payroll processing and most government benefit programs.
Work permits and related documentation for eligible clients.
These are the stories that remind us why we do this work every day.
"I hadn't had an ID in six years. Every job application, every shelter, every step forward hit the same wall. Sumer's Speciality Schemes helped me get my birth certificate and state ID in three weeks. Eight months later I have a full-time job and my own apartment."
"They gave me a proper backpack, work boots, and a warm coat — things I needed just to show up and feel human. Then they sat with me through the entire ID process. I didn't have to figure it out alone."
"When we lost our home, we lost nearly everything. The Sumer's team provided clothes for the kids, household essentials, and helped my husband replace his commercial driver's license. He's back on the road and we have our lives back."
Every contribution — time, items, or funds — directly impacts someone working toward a better life.
Sort and prepare donations at our distribution center, assist with outreach programs, or provide professional skills like legal aid, job coaching, or photography for IDs.
Sign up to volunteerClothing, shoes, bags, bedding, hygiene products, tools, and small appliances are always needed. Drop off at any of our 12 community collection points.
Find a drop-off location$25 covers government ID fees for one person. $75 covers a full document package. Every dollar goes directly toward removing barriers to employment.
Make a financial giftWhether you want to volunteer a Saturday afternoon, drop off a bag of clothes, or make a donation that pays for someone's ID, we'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form and someone from our team will be in touch.