Success stories like Linda’s is just one of the reasons Leo Buscaglia Foundation supported Journey Out in 2020.

LINDA

“I’d be back out ‘there’ if it wasn’t for Journey Out. Washington is my home state, and for years, I was letting myself slip away into a lifestyle I thought was fit for a ‘grown woman’. Little did I know pain, agony, trauma, desperation and helplessness would be the world I introduced myself into. I allowed it to become my reality. Nearly the age of 18, I had already been through two drug treatment centers and a wilderness camp and I thought my world was finally going to turn around. Without truly digging deep into my insecurities and abandonment issues, and not changing my thought process and truly believing in a higher power, I ended up back in the life. I had met a man and fell in love with him. I thought I found a home with him, I thought he loved me, and that I understood why he made me do what he made me do. But when I told him I wanted to stop he got abusive, he never let me go anywhere on my own, he threatened my family. Soon I didn’t care if I lived or died, in fact, I thought dying was better. Until I got on a plane and came to Journey Out I thought dying was the only way out. I probably wouldn’t be alive if not for Journey Out. I think I owe you my life.”

Click here to learn more about Journey Out.

Arts Bridging the Gap recieved  a grant to support the 2023-2024 Arts+Wellness programs at Fairfax High School and LA High School.  Specifically, the grant will support Program Manager Ariella Kirschbaum’s salary, teacher fees and classroom supplies.  ABG expects to reach 75 students at each school with the broader school populations engaging with the final projects.

Arts Bridging the Gap is a 501(c)3 Social Justice organization that uplifts the voices, experiences, and self-expression of youth from under resourced communities through immersive arts programs. They seek to cultivate the skills, mindsets, and connections that will allow youth to be their best and fullest selves, as individuals and as members of diverse, thriving communities.  They currently offer five educational programs that utilize the arts to provide resources and support for young people in under resourced areas to realize their full potential.

Friendship Foundation received a grant to purchase supplies such as art supplies, crafts, sports equipment, and games for school clubs. Friendship Clubs will reach approximately 2,500 children during the grant year.  The Friendship Foundation transforms the lives of people with special needs, their families, volunteers, and eventually society. Friendship Foundation’s mission is to: 1) bring happiness and companionship to children with special needs in a way that celebrates their uniqueness and individuality through participation in age-appropriate social, recreational and educational activities with their peers; 2) build leadership skills and foster the values of altruism, volunteerism, and sacrifice among student volunteers; 3) impart renewed strength, comfort and peace of mind to the parents of these special children; and 4) heighten the community’s awareness, sensitivity and sense of responsibility with regard to responding to these vital needs.  The Friendship Foundation (then known as the Friendship Circle) received a grant from the Leo Buscaglia Foundation in 2010.

Click here to learn about more 2022 recipients. 

Adventures to Dreams Enrichment recieved a grant to support their youth garden program.  The funds will be used for lumber for raised garden beds, garden supplies including soil and fertilizer and hands-on educational activities for their youth camps.  Their garden serves over 50 youth through enrichment programs and over 250 community members through monthly food giveaways.

The mission of Adventures to Dreams Enrichment is to empower youth by teaching them to grow their own food, engaging them in enrichment activities, providing mentorship and offering a safe environment to lean and play.  This provides an open avenue to creativity and open-ended thinking skills.

“Love our @AccessBooks volunteers! Our work couldn’t happen without you. Shout out to our families from @pacificschoolpta for helping us with our MLK library refurbishment. Our next volunteer opportunity is fast approaching to sort books in Santa Ana, CA on Saturday, November 7th. Adults, children, and families are all welcome to join us for a few hours to make this day a complete success by signing up through our website”

Click here to learn more about Access Books. 

Village for Vets received a grant for their Food First program to support food box distribution.  This will include paying a truck driver to deliver food boxes to formerly homeless and at-risk veterans who experience food insecurity and who live in permanent support housing in Los Angeles County.  About 300 veterans and their families will receive food box distribution two times per month over the next year.  Village for Vets fills critical gaps in key services for homeless and at-risk veterans in greater Los Angeles to support them on their journey to stability and independence.  They fulfill this mission through four core programs that safeguard the health of vulnerable veterans; promote food, housing and employment security; and provide links to life-changing benefits and services. 

As an approved agency of the Westside Foodbank, makes weekly deliveries of food boxes, including produce and pantry staples, to food insecure veterans living in permanent supportive housing in Greater Los Angeles. Many of these buildings are managed by the VA but others are part of New Directions, Step Up on 2nd and LA Family Housing.

Click here to see other 2021 recipients.