Reno teens, aged out of foster system, get first homes with help from actor Jeremy Renner

By Siobhan McAndrew, Reno Gazette Journal

Reno teen Jason Martin said he hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in over a year.

The 19-year-old went into the foster care system when he was 7 or 8 and has lived in nearly a dozen foster and group homes.

After graduating from high school in Fallon in 2024, Martin lived in a group home and then in Washoe County’s homeless shelter, the Cares Campus.

He’s witnessed two stabbings while living on the streets and around the shelter. He never felt safe, hated the food and had his things stolen multiple times.

“I don’t know what I’ll cook for dinner tonight,” said Martin, one of four Reno teens who are moving into their first homes Thursday and Friday, thanks in part to actor and Reno area resident Jeremy Renner.

Martin moved into the one-bedroom Midtown apartment with help from Renner’s Rennervation Foundation and Los Angeles based charity A Sense of Home.

A Sense of Home has helped furnish and decorate homes for more than 1,000 foster youth as they age of the system.

On Wednesday, the nonprofit brought a truck full of everything needed for four Reno teens. The homes are being furnished and decorated Thursday and Friday with a little star power from Renner, who often gives his time and name to local charity causes.

Renner and Reno have made a lot of headlines together, including afternhis accident on New Year’s Day 2023. Renner was crushed by his own snowplow at his home on Mt. Rose Highway outside Reno.

Earlier this year, the Marvel film and Oscar-nominated actor released a book about the experience, “My Next Breath.”

Young adults aged out foster care get first homes

Georgie Smith, founder of A Sense of Home, became interested in helping young people while she looked into adoption. She was introduced to teens aging out of foster care and living on their own.

“It was one young man who was sleeping on the floor and had no idea how to furnish a home,” Smith said. She helped him, and then his friends wanted the same help.

Smith said young people who have moved a lot and faced tough lives may have no idea how to set up a home.

Actor Jeremy Renner helps teens move into first homes

RennerVation Foundation was founded in 2023 by Renner and his sister to provide help to young people in foster care and in at-risk situations.

In addition to a summer camp for children in foster care, the RennerVation Foundation offers case management for teens who are aging out of the system.

The four apartments that Sense of Home was furnishing Thursday and Friday are scattered throughout the Reno area.

Smith said that in Los Angeles, the program has become so successful that landlords go to her organization wanting to rent to the young men and women the nonprofit has helped.

Smith told the group of two dozen people gathered in Midtown that moving Martin into his home showed “the true essense of a community.”

Then she turned to Martin.

“We want you to help manifest your dreams,” she said.

Martin thinks about going to college to study business and hopes to someday open a store that sells clothing to help foster children.

“This is the foundation that I didn’t have going into adulthood (and) is now suddenly there,” Martin said. “It’s a springboard to be able to launch forward the dreams that I have.”

Renner told the crowd it was an emotional day for him and everyone who was helping.

“Look, if you have a sleepless night tonight, ” Renner said as he looked at Martin. “I hope it’s because you feel the love and excitement.”

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