Our Last Resource Center of 2022 - Happy Holidays!
Published on December 19, 2022 by Elizabeth Jansma Sharma
Dear friends,
We welcomed 45 guests, 45 volunteers and 15 service providers to Saint Bede's Church in Mar Vista on Saturday for our last Resource Center of the year. Eleven of our guests were brand new - wow! Thanks to all our volunteers and partner organizations for spreading the word about this great opportunity to engage in mutual aid on the Westside.
Some guests are no longer living nearby and had to take multiple forms of public transit to attend the event. Our stellar team of volunteer drivers made it possible for local guests to partake. It's always a pleasure to reconnect with old friends and welcome new unhoused neighbors into the LAN4N family.
A lot of folks took advantage of the beautiful day by hanging out in our community space at the center of the event - our "chill space", the music and art stations, the library, and dining area.
Before we take a deeper dive into Saturday's Resource Center, here are 3 things you can do to get more involved and support our unhoused neighbors:
We welcomed 45 guests, 45 volunteers and 15 service providers to Saint Bede's Church in Mar Vista on Saturday for our last Resource Center of the year. Eleven of our guests were brand new - wow! Thanks to all our volunteers and partner organizations for spreading the word about this great opportunity to engage in mutual aid on the Westside.
Some guests are no longer living nearby and had to take multiple forms of public transit to attend the event. Our stellar team of volunteer drivers made it possible for local guests to partake. It's always a pleasure to reconnect with old friends and welcome new unhoused neighbors into the LAN4N family.
A lot of folks took advantage of the beautiful day by hanging out in our community space at the center of the event - our "chill space", the music and art stations, the library, and dining area.
Before we take a deeper dive into Saturday's Resource Center, here are 3 things you can do to get more involved and support our unhoused neighbors:
- Click here to sign up to volunteer for the next LAN4N Resource Center on 1/21/23
- Check out our wishlist, which includes items that guests requested for our next Resource Center (to distribute at our "special items" station). Feel free to share :)
- Click here to leave a public comment in support of this motion to expand winter shelters in LA (click the red button that says "NEW")
(Our guest check-in and welcome table)
(Our ever-expanding breakfast station, this time with donuts, bagels, coffee, fruit and yogurt, yum!)
It's getting COLD out there, and the stark reality is that more unhoused people die of hypothermia in LA than in New York City. Temps in LA drop sharply at night, and our city's winter shelter program is almost nonexistent. We're thankful to our friends at The Center in Hollywood for donating 100 blankets, and The Giving Spirit, which donated 50 duffel bag kits chock full of helpful supplies for winter and beyond. And many thanks to Saint Bede's parishioners who collected, sorted and stored clothing donations this month!
It's getting COLD out there, and the stark reality is that more unhoused people die of hypothermia in LA than in New York City. Temps in LA drop sharply at night, and our city's winter shelter program is almost nonexistent. We're thankful to our friends at The Center in Hollywood for donating 100 blankets, and The Giving Spirit, which donated 50 duffel bag kits chock full of helpful supplies for winter and beyond. And many thanks to Saint Bede's parishioners who collected, sorted and stored clothing donations this month!
(Duffel bag kits from The Giving Spirit - we were able to give one to every guest)
We were sad to say goodbye to Dignity on Wheels, which offered showers and laundry service to our guests every month - they are no longer operating in Los Angeles. Showers are hard to come by on the street, and cold public showers that might work in warmer months are unbearable in the winter. Most of our guests count on our monthly shower service, so we're going to do our best to find a new provider in the new year. Let us know if you have any leads!
We were sad to say goodbye to Dignity on Wheels, which offered showers and laundry service to our guests every month - they are no longer operating in Los Angeles. Showers are hard to come by on the street, and cold public showers that might work in warmer months are unbearable in the winter. Most of our guests count on our monthly shower service, so we're going to do our best to find a new provider in the new year. Let us know if you have any leads!
(Farewell to Dignity on Wheels!)
This month, we were pleased to welcome Bob Williams, who writes for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. The Diocese learned that Saint Bede's Church (one of its congregations) was hosting the Resource Center, so Bob took the time to interview volunteers, service providers and guests for a bulletin about the event that might inspire other churches.
This month, we were pleased to welcome Bob Williams, who writes for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. The Diocese learned that Saint Bede's Church (one of its congregations) was hosting the Resource Center, so Bob took the time to interview volunteers, service providers and guests for a bulletin about the event that might inspire other churches.
(A peek inside the kitchen with Chef Noah and super volunteers Margaret and Lisa)
(Chef Noah pulled off another delicious lunch of beans and rice bowls with toppings galore)
A major benefit of resource fairs is that they are a one-stop shop for a range of interconnected services. Having multiple services in one location can help people tackle the labyrinth of requirements and documentation needed to get a bare minimum of social support. For example, one of our guests (we'll call him Robert) wanted a free "Obama phone" offered by Assurance Wireless at our Resource Center on Saturday . . .
A major benefit of resource fairs is that they are a one-stop shop for a range of interconnected services. Having multiple services in one location can help people tackle the labyrinth of requirements and documentation needed to get a bare minimum of social support. For example, one of our guests (we'll call him Robert) wanted a free "Obama phone" offered by Assurance Wireless at our Resource Center on Saturday . . .
(The folks at Assurance wireless provide free phones every month)
To get a new phone, Robert needed to (1) establish his eligibility - that is, prove he's poor enough by showing he receives other social welfare benefits and (2) verify his identity. Like many of our guests, Robert lost his ID and EBT paperwork in a city-sponsored encampment sweep, so he could not establish eligibility or verify his identity. Fortunately, he was able to get his EBT paperwork at our CalFresh station hosted by Hunger Action LA . . .
To get a new phone, Robert needed to (1) establish his eligibility - that is, prove he's poor enough by showing he receives other social welfare benefits and (2) verify his identity. Like many of our guests, Robert lost his ID and EBT paperwork in a city-sponsored encampment sweep, so he could not establish eligibility or verify his identity. Fortunately, he was able to get his EBT paperwork at our CalFresh station hosted by Hunger Action LA . . .
(Hunger Action LA has been helping guests access food benefits every month since we started)
But even if Robert could provide EBT benefits paperwork to show he's poor enough to get an Obama phone, he'd still need an ID. For Robert and other folks living on the street, the processing fee for new IDs is prohibitively expensive, and he doesn't have a mailing address to receive his new ID card. That's where LAN4N can help bridge the gap: we provide guests with ID vouchers for free processing, and provide an address guests can use for mailing new IDs. So now, Robert can go to the DMV, get his ID for free, and have it mailed to LAN4N. Then we can deliver it to him personally. And Robert is always welcome to use his new ID at the next Resource Center to finally get his free phone.
But even if Robert could provide EBT benefits paperwork to show he's poor enough to get an Obama phone, he'd still need an ID. For Robert and other folks living on the street, the processing fee for new IDs is prohibitively expensive, and he doesn't have a mailing address to receive his new ID card. That's where LAN4N can help bridge the gap: we provide guests with ID vouchers for free processing, and provide an address guests can use for mailing new IDs. So now, Robert can go to the DMV, get his ID for free, and have it mailed to LAN4N. Then we can deliver it to him personally. And Robert is always welcome to use his new ID at the next Resource Center to finally get his free phone.
(Tom is caffeinated and ready to help guests with ID vouchers!)
Other benefits require a birth certificate, which of course is even harder to come by. We're so lucky to have the LA County Registrar at many of our monthly events, to help people get their birth certificate and other vital records.
Other benefits require a birth certificate, which of course is even harder to come by. We're so lucky to have the LA County Registrar at many of our monthly events, to help people get their birth certificate and other vital records.
(The LA County Registrar-Recorder helps people obtain birth certificates and register to vote)
And of course, guests who bring their phones and devices are welcome to charge them at our charging station. It's hard finding a reliable power source on the street.
And of course, guests who bring their phones and devices are welcome to charge them at our charging station. It's hard finding a reliable power source on the street.
(Amazing LAN4N volunteers Stephen and Ashley)
One of the best things about having a phone is being able to stay in touch with friends and family who can help you through the tough times. For folks living on the street, being able to talk to someone who genuinely cares about you and is willing to listen can be a lifeline. We're so lucky to have Miracle Messages, which offers a phone buddy program as part of their vision of "a world where people embrace their unhoused neighbors as people to be loved, not problems to be solved".
One of the best things about having a phone is being able to stay in touch with friends and family who can help you through the tough times. For folks living on the street, being able to talk to someone who genuinely cares about you and is willing to listen can be a lifeline. We're so lucky to have Miracle Messages, which offers a phone buddy program as part of their vision of "a world where people embrace their unhoused neighbors as people to be loved, not problems to be solved".
(Jenni from Miracle Messages, which offers a phone buddy program for people experiencing homelessness)
For the second month in a row, we were able to offer bike repair to guests thanks to Bikerowave. This is a critical service for many unhoused folks who depend on bikes as their primary mode of transit. We were also excited to welcome Venice Family Clinic, which is collaborating on a mental/behavioral health and substance use needs assessment with other agencies on the Westside (collectively, People's First Aid Kit Coalition). People's First Aid Kit is seeking to better understand the needs of people experiencing homelessness, and where the gaps are. The team from Chrysalis also returned to provide employment support for guests and we're always thrilled to have legal services from the team at Bet Tzedek.
For the second month in a row, we were able to offer bike repair to guests thanks to Bikerowave. This is a critical service for many unhoused folks who depend on bikes as their primary mode of transit. We were also excited to welcome Venice Family Clinic, which is collaborating on a mental/behavioral health and substance use needs assessment with other agencies on the Westside (collectively, People's First Aid Kit Coalition). People's First Aid Kit is seeking to better understand the needs of people experiencing homelessness, and where the gaps are. The team from Chrysalis also returned to provide employment support for guests and we're always thrilled to have legal services from the team at Bet Tzedek.
(Venice Family Clinic conducting their needs assessment as part of the PFAK Coalition)
(The team from Chrysalis!)
We've said it before and we'll say it again: the solution to homelessness is housing. Not a tool shed, not a temporary shelter, and not a hotel room without your own key, but actual housing. There's a severe shortage of public and deeply affordable housing in LA, and Section 8 vouchers are often a golden ticket to nowhere due to a dearth of placements and rampant discrimination. We know how hard it is to connect guests with housing, so we're always grateful to the teams from LAHSA and Saint Joseph Center who come to the Resource Center to help folks navigate our broken system.
We've said it before and we'll say it again: the solution to homelessness is housing. Not a tool shed, not a temporary shelter, and not a hotel room without your own key, but actual housing. There's a severe shortage of public and deeply affordable housing in LA, and Section 8 vouchers are often a golden ticket to nowhere due to a dearth of placements and rampant discrimination. We know how hard it is to connect guests with housing, so we're always grateful to the teams from LAHSA and Saint Joseph Center who come to the Resource Center to help folks navigate our broken system.
(Caseworkers from LAHSA and Saint Joseph Center help guests navigate the coordinated entry system and access services they need)
It wouldn't be a LAN4N Resource Center without the amazing street medicine team from UCLA and new hygiene kits from Housing MV!
It wouldn't be a LAN4N Resource Center without the amazing street medicine team from UCLA and new hygiene kits from Housing MV!
Special thanks to all our service providers, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Art, music, + chill space by Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid
Bike repair by Bikerowave
Calfresh Sign-ups by Hunger Action LA
Caseworkers from LAHSA and Saint Joseph Center
Employment services from Chrysalis
Hygiene Kits from Housing MV
Caseworkers from LAHSA and Saint Joseph Center
Employment services from Chrysalis
Hygiene Kits from Housing MV
Legal Clinic by Bet Tzedek Legal Services
Library by ACAB Library with South Bay Mutual Aid Care Club
Meals by Noah with Universal Human Rights Initiative
Medical help by UCLA Homeless Healthcare Collaborative
Phones from Assurance wireless
Safe Parking from Safe Parking LA
Phones from Assurance wireless
Safe Parking from Safe Parking LA
Social support by Miracle Messages
Toilets & Hand wash stations provided by outgoing Councilmember Mike Bonin
Toilets & Hand wash stations provided by outgoing Councilmember Mike Bonin
Venue, storage and clothing provided by Saint Bede's Episcopal Church
Vital Records by LA County Registrar/Recorder
❤️ 1