| Greetings! | |
This has been a busy month at My Friend's Place! As Los Angeles has experienced record-breaking heat back to back with the season's first rain, My Friend's Place has seen more and more youth accessing our services. At the same time, we have also had major building improvement projects, exciting fundraisers, and volunteer-driven events.
As always, we are so grateful to have supporters dedicated to assisting and inspiring homeless youth achieve self-sufficiency. Thank you for being a part of the My Friend's Place community!
|
Raising the Roof for Homeless Youth
|
 After a successful summer fundraising campaign, My Friend's Place began construction on a new roof in late September. With a projected completion time of mid-October, we are slated to be ready for the most intense fall and winter weather with a dry and warm Safe Haven.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the campaign. We would not be able to offer the life-changing services we do without your commitment and support.
|
UCLA Freshmen Spend a Day at My Friend's Place
|
 At the beginning of each school year, UCLA Volunteer Day gives freshman the opportunity to engage in one of the largest community service days in Southern California as hundreds of students disperse to various project sites around the region. This year, 55 students, faculty, and staff from the university came to My Friend's Place to help us make major improvements to our building.
 In just a few hours' time, the UCLA volunteers put in new drywall in our offices, cleaned our entire exterior of trash and debris, and gave a new coat of paint to nearly half of our program space. This incredible work could not have been done without the help of so many wonderful volunteers.
Special thanks to Linda Escobar and George Hill at UCLA and Camilla Brannstrom, Special Projects Manager, for spearheading the day, as well as James Koopman, District Representative for Congresswoman Diane E. Watson, for coming to support!
|
Advocacy for Homeless Youth
|
 Last month, the California state legislature passed two bills that will impact the homeless youth population. The first, AB 12, extends the age at which youth "age out" of the foster care system from 18 to 21. Over two thirds of the youth who visit My Friend's Place have aged out of the foster care system. By extending the care available to foster youth an additional three years, the bill extends vital support that promotes stability among children and will help reduce youth homelessness in California.
The second bill, SB 543, allows youth aged 12 to 17 to access and receive mental health care without requiring parental consent. Through this bill, many youth who may have previously gone without treatment or counseling will be able to receive support that can promote their stability and success.
Thank you to all of the fantastic advocates who helped get these important bills passed into law!
|
September Volunteers of the Month: Kaiser Permanente
|
 My Friend's Place is thrilled to recognize the employees of Kaiser Permanente as our September Volunteers of the Month. Since 2008, Richard Fearn and other employees from Kaiser have brought hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, watermelon, and homemade cookies to throw a barbeque for the youth every summer. There is always plenty of food so the youth get seconds and even thirds! While talking about this experience, Richard reflects, "The kids are great. They are polite, nice, and appreciative."
This year, Kaiser volunteers also helped put together the first annual Chinese New Year's party. They decorated My Friend's Place to celebrate the Year of the Tiger while eating delicious Chinese food. This event was so popular that the line wrapped around the building and out the front gate! These events allow the youth to interact with people that serve as great role models and expand the youths' sense of community support.
We warmly thank the employees at Kaiser Permanente for the work they have done and their dedication to My Friend's Place!
|
|
 |
New MFP Short Video
|
TV Guide Channel recently helped us complete a short promotional video detailing the values, services and goals of My Friend's Place through the eyes of our staff and the youth we serve.
Please help us get the word out about MFP, our progams, and the youth we serve by sharing with your friends and family. Many thanks to TV Guide Channel for putting it together!
|
A "Wonderful" Evening of Rodgers & Hammerstein
|
In early September, over 100 people gathered in Studio City for a backyard performance of "Something Wonderful: The Music of Rodgers & Hammerstein." Guests were treated to a musical revue of the duo's greatest collaborations throughout the decades, performed by the best of Los Angeles' musical theater community.
 | | Singers Damon Kirsche, Autumn Reeser and Rosemary Tarquino |
Special thanks to the performers, everyone who attended, and board members Joanie Berkley and Ann Blanchard for hosting this spectacular event. You make a difference for homeless youth!
|
HomeWalk is November 13th
| |
|
Selling on eBay for MFP
|
 eBay Giving Works allows sellers to donate between 5% and 100% of an auction's final selling price items to verified non-profits. My Friend's Place was a recent beneficiary of an auction from K & J Crafting for a Cause. Thanks to Karyn and Julissa for featuring MFP!
If you are interested in supporting My Friend's Place in this unique way, simply search for "mfplace" while selling (our eBay Giving Works name), or contact us with any questions.
|
|
