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This month, we're spotlighting amazing people who have made incredible contributions to My Friend's Place and the homeless youth we serve. From volunteer and school groups to service partners and city-wide efforts - our community makes a difference. Read on and be inspired!
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Youth Helping Youth
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 Several groups of students have recently done incredible work to help out My Friend's Place, from fundraisers and service projects to bringing carloads of clothing and bagged lunches. A huge MFP shout out to:- Alyssa and the I Care Club at Benjamin Franklin High School
- Collette and the San Fernando Homeschooling Group
- Daniela, Scarlett, Star, Rasmus, and Vivian at Northridge Academy High School
- Francis and Caring for a Cause at Glendora High School
- Javier and Alice at the Polytechnic School
- Justina and the Friends for Friends Club at Laces High School
- Minque and all the folks at California State University Los Angeles
Many thanks to the students in each of these groups for all they've done to raise awareness in their community about the needs of homeless youth!
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| Service Partner Spotlight: Mobile Health Team |
 On Monday and Wednesday afternoons and during special evening events, the Mobile Health Team visits My Friend's Place to provide free, basic, on-site medical care and referrals to the homeless youth of Los Angeles. The program, part of a decades-long collaboration between Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the Saban Free Clinic, is an outreach-oriented component of the High Risk Youth Clinic and has been coming to My Friend's Place for over ten years. Accessing quality, timely health care services is a major challenge for youth living on the streets and we are so grateful to be able to offer these services at MFP!
The Mobile Health Team consists of Nanora Thompson (Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, CHLA), Lenie Lim (Case Manager, CHLA), and Caitlin Eubanks (Case Manager, Saban) and is supported by CHLA's clinic directors Lisa De Gyarfas, MS and Dr. Diane Tanaka and Saban's Behavioral Health Manager Dr. Paul Gore.
Thank you Mobile Health Team for your work keeping the youth of My Friend's Place healthy on the path toward self-sufficiency!
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February Volunteer of the Month: Paul Kuszynski
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 My Friend's Place is thrilled to recognize Paul Kuszynski as the February Volunteer of the Month! Paul started volunteering with us in October of 2010 and has been facilitating a Video Game Workshop for the youth each week. He recently purchased a new Xbox and games for the workshop so the youth can engage in the newest technology. The youth enjoy participating in varied friendly rivalries, whether it be in NBA 2K11 or Madden, and look forward to seeing Paul each week.
For many of the youth, Video Game Workshop is a constructive form of stress relief and represents a low-barrier way to build a positive relationship with a caring adult. Paul's welcoming attitude and consistency in coming each week have meant so much to the youth who attend it.
We warmly thank Paul for his dedication to the youth who visit My Friend's Place!
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| Bi-Annual Count Measures LA's Homeless Population |
On January 27th, two My Friend's Place staff members joined hundreds of volunteers in a bi-annual count of Los Angeles County's homeless population. The project, run by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), serves to inform the distribution of government funding for homeless and social support services.
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Volunteers prepare for the bi-annual Homeless Count
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An additional count, held on January 31st, measured homeless youth separately. Several of MFP's youth helped with the project and reflected that they were excited to have an opportunity to give back to their community and help others in their situation.
Many thanks to LAHSA and all the volunteers for providing this valuable and necessary service!
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| February is Black History Month |
My Friend's Place celebrates Black History Month each February by posting images and biographies of significant African-Americans throughout history in our dayroom. The pictures help spur educational conversations that benefit both youth and staff and help instill a sense of pride in our community.
Black History Month is celebrated nationally every year and several events throughout Los Angeles are marking the occasion. Check out this list for a few of them!
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Easy Ways to Support MFP
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Support MFP by searching and shopping online!
100% of proceeds from MFP gear go toward supporting homeless youth services. Donate a portion of any auction's final selling price! Search for MFP as "mfplace".
One shirt is donated to MFP for every shirt sold to a local ZIP code!
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