Hunger is a critical and growing challenge for homeless and at-risk veterans in Los Angeles, and the VA cannot fund or provide meals for homeless veterans not living in “structured housing.” Village for Vets fills this gap with more than 1000 meals every week, totaling 56,420 each year, to veterans in need.

Click here to learn more about 2021 recipients. 

WLI has adapted our leadership training
and professional development meetings to respond to COVID limitations. Cohort members convene on Zoom for learning modules every month. (2022)

Click here to learn more about UCLA Watts Leadership Institute.

Journey Out Received a grant to support 1.) their BRIDGE program, which focuses on social reintegration service for victims of sex trafficking/commercial sexual exploitation, 2.) to help launch their Journey Together program which is a skills based and job-training program which pairs their clients with sheltered animals and 3.) for overall operations and delivery of critically needed wrap around services to victims of sex trafficking.  Journey Out has been in operation for 35 years.  Their mission is to help victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking leave a life of abuse and violence, overcome their fears and empower them to reach their full potential and achieve their goals. 

Click here to learn more about other 2020 recipients.

Fringe Benefits Theater  received a grant to support youth leadership of four of their five CT4CT programs.  These include Videos for Social Justice Workshops, serving approximately 720 people, a 5-week Internship Training Program, serving approximately 20 people, the Arts for Civic Engagement Showcase, serving approximately 250 people and the Think Outside the Box Symposium, serving approximately 1000 people.  Fringe Benefits collaborates with schools and community groups using theatre to promote constructive dialogue and action about diversity and discrimination issues.

Click here to learn more about 2021 recipients. 

Echoes of Hope received a grant in support of their Leaders of Tomorrow program.  The program supports low-income, undocumented, current/former foster, formerly homeless and in-need students ages 16-30.  Resources include, but are not limited to, housing support, testing fees, graduation fees, textbooks, school supplies, transportation, meal assistance and quarterly workshops and retreats.  In 2019 Echoes of Hope assisted over 2500 students.  Echoes of Hope strives to awaken the spirit of hope in the lives of children, youth and young adults in need by alleviating barriers and helping them reach their full potential.

To learn more about other recipients click here.

Youth mentoring by an adult can benefit a child’s emotional and psychological well-being, peer relationships, academic attitudes, and grades. We love our WWS family.

Beauty Bus Foundation delivers dignity, hope and respite to chronically or terminally ill men, women and children and their caregivers through beauty and grooming services and pampering products.

Beauty Bus accomplishes our mission through:

• In-Home Beauty and Grooming Services:  Beauty Bus’ core program provides in-home beauty and grooming services, free of charge, to patients whose illness or condition prevents them from accessing a salon or spa and their caregivers.
• Pop-Up Salons:  Beauty Bus creates Pop-Up Salons where patients and caregivers receive a variety of complimentary beauty and grooming services in a setting that promotes support and serenity.
• Bag of Beauty Program: Beauty Bus gives complimentary Bags of Beauty filled with pampering products to remind patients and caregivers that they deserve to look and feel beautiful.

Click here to learn more about Beaty Bus.