Aberdeen, MD — Inner County Outreach (ICO) and Fresh Start
Furnishings (FSF) have announced a strategic merger expanding access to furniture and
coordinated support services for families across Harford County.
Fresh Start Furnishings will now operate as Fresh Start Furnishings at Inner County Outreach,
integrating its furniture program into ICO’s established service model. For more than 40 years,
ICO has served Harford County through comprehensive basic needs assistance, youth and family
services, and mental and physical health programs that promote stability and self-sufficiency.
The merger strengthens both organizations’ shared mission by addressing furniture poverty as a
critical and often overlooked barrier to housing stability.
Founded in 2016, Fresh Start Furnishings has furnished more than 2,050 homes, impacting more
than 5,900 individuals. Furniture poverty, the inability to afford essential household furnishings,
affects 3 in 10 people nationwide and often occurs during periods of transition such as reentry,
domestic violence recovery, housing displacement, or financial hardship.
Through this integration, families will access essential home goods alongside food assistance,
mental health services, and family support within one coordinated system of care.
“When families seek help, their needs rarely exist in isolation,” said Natalie Johnson, Chief
Operating Officer of Inner County Outreach. “Integrating furniture support with food assistance
and mental health services allows us to build stronger foundations for long-term stability.”
The merger combines Fresh Start Furnishings’ volunteer and donor engagement with ICO’s
infrastructure and long-standing county partnerships, increasing efficiency, expanding reach, and
strengthening long-term sustainability.
“Furniture is not a luxury; it is a basic need,” said Alicia Hamilton, Founder and Executive
Director of Fresh Start Furnishings. “This partnership allows us to serve more families and
ensure this work continues for years to come.”
To learn more about Fresh Start Furnishings at Inner County Outreach or to get involved, visit
www.freshstartmd.org or www.innercountyoutreach.org.
Fresh Start Furnishings
Alicia Hamilton Program Impact Manager & Founding Member
