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LIVE. WORK. BELONG.
The "LIVE. WORK. BELONG." grant will support the "Love Thy Neighbor" initiative established to address the hardships faced by our homeless community. This fund serves as a tangible expression of compassion, offering direct, flexible support to uplift those in need and foster a deeper sense of belonging and love.
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What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Affordable housing and homelessness
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
Homelessness is not just a lack of housing; it’s a multifaceted crisis that includes a lack of social support, economic stability, and community integration. Our society has resources like shelters, food banks, healthcare services, and job placement programs, but these are often underutilized due to barriers such as lack of awareness, accessibility, and rapport.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
The Love Thy Neighbor Fund is a compassionate initiative dedicated to loving our homeless neighbors as ourselves, specifically focusing on alleviating the burdens that population often faces. Established in response to the immediate and diverse needs identified through our community center, this fund provides flexible, direct support to individuals experiencing homelessness. It addresses urgent and varied challenges such as securing temporary shelter, obtaining essential resources, facilitating access to healthcare, and offering financial assistance for critical needs. The fund is designed to be a dynamic, problem-solving resource that embodies the love and care that we all are looking for, offering practical help and hope to those in desperate circumstances.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
Homeless individuals would feel more supported and begin to operate with a sense of belonging. With access to essential services and relief from their burdens, they will feel empowered to contribute positively to society, which would lead to the restoring of their dignity, and will thereby instill hope—a powerful catalyst for personal transformation. Community spaces would become more inclusive and compassionate, fostering stronger connections and reducing the unfortunate stigmas that come along with not having access to basic necessities, all while inspiring sustainable, supportive solutions for those in need.
What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?
Impact is seen in the increased sense of support and belonging among homeless individuals, resulting in improved quality of life and renewed hope. We measure impact by the number of people gaining access to housing, healthcare, and job training alongside better health outcomes and increased employment. Personal stories of positive transformation and a more inclusive community further illustrate our impact. The growing donations from local churches and community members demonstrate the fund's effectiveness in making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 100.0
Indirect Impact: 1,000.0