The Giving Spirit

The Giving Spirit outreach program focuses on providing essential items human connection and information to unhoused individuals and families in four discrete areas of need - Universal or Basic Care for all homeless Women & Girls LAUSD Homeless Students and Companion Animals owned by homeless persons while providing informative and viewpoint-changing educational programs. These programs provide volunteers an opportunity to learn first-hand about the human face of homelessness through outreach interactions and at the same time provide all-important resource information to those living on the streets. Live moderated panels of lived-experience speakers and experts in the field present insights into what is needed to help the unhoused and data-driven knowledge that dispels the persistent and damaging myths that cloud our ability as individuals and communities to address the challenges presented by housing shortages in Greater Los Angeles.

Youth Council brings 10-12 members from local high schools participate as a group to learn in depth about homeless issues in Greater Los Angeles and ways to address them under the guidance of the organizations leadership. The goal is to involve and teach youth how to provide help to members of the community in need in responsible and constructive ways. Members apply to participate and meet once a month to discuss and set goals and to organize activities designed to provide meaningful aid for the unhoused and increased knowledge for the students including the power of empathy and compassion. The activity process includes choosing the focus and type of aid to be provided and following up to reach their goals with planning budgeting procurement marketing fundraising kit preparation and delivery.

The Giving Spirits educational programs are comprised of three areas: 1 the production of live Learning Experiences that complement the essential care program events; 2 video productions that complement all programs including instructions for volunteers doing outreach story-telling by and about lived experience individuals who overcame homelessness and educational videos presenting fact-based information about homelessness in Greater Los Angeles and the work of The Giving Spirit in addressing those needs; and 3 digital online curriculum being developed for distribution through schools and eventually corporations and a broader audience. The last area is in the development stage with a beta on the first segment on Homeless Youth now being reviewed and tested.