Client story

As happened with so many people during the stay-at-home order at the beginning of the pandemic, Julius found his primary relationships came under great strain. His girlfriend continued to work as a cosmetologist, and this meant a steady stream of clients visiting their home. Not only did the risk make Julius uncomfortable, but he also […]

We have a very diverse pantry community. The three main languages spoken by our pantry community are English, Spanish, and Mandarin. We will also regularly hear Armenian, Korean, and Arabic to list a few more. It is fun to watch our community as they wait for their turn to pick up food. As one would

Brenda – a regular guest in The Women’s Room – arrived in a very excited mood. Her friend had a puppy she couldn’t keep and, rather than have the dog put down, Brenda had offered to take her. Now, along with all the challenges of living on the streets, Brenda had the extra challenge of

A volunteer came into the Food Pantry to report that someone had passed out in front of Friends In Deed House. Food Pantry Manager Stacey went to check, and discovered a man sprawled on one of our benches, his dog standing guard beside him. She tried to wake him but he was barely responsive and

We’re not sure whether or not Buddy is an official emotional support animal, but he certainly goes everywhere that Sherry goes, and we’re sure plays a major role in keeping her calm and centered in her everyday life. A student at a local college, Sherry has no family support or financial resources, but she’s determined

Gloria, a senior, was illegally evicted from her apartment. With no other resources to fall back on – other members of her family are also unhoused or not in a position to offer help – she ended up on the streets of Downtown LA. Not surprisingly, this terrified her. She came to Pasadena and established

Nicole turned up at The Women’s Room dragging an enormous suitcase behind her and with nowhere to go that night. She had been sleeping in her car, but it had broken down and the local residents had it towed away. A vulnerable young woman, she really wasn’t the kind of person we wanted to leave

Pepper – the “Mayor of Skid Row” – is a charismatic and well-known figure in downtown Los Angeles. FID staff member Lindsey got to know him ten years ago, when she used to make weekly trips to Skid Row with her family to give out food and supplies. A determined individualist and fiercely independent, Pepper

Vanessa felt like she was in a hole she couldn’t get out of. She lost loved ones, she was involved in traumatic family situations, she became depressed, and she was struggling to hold down a job. She had friends who were willing to help, but she felt bad putting so much weight on them, so

Cheynelle has always valued her freedom. She rebelled against her adopted family and chose a life outside conventional society, living for a while in a shelter on the side of an LA freeway. However, Cheynelle became a mother, and with that came a change of perspective. She says she was a “grown-ass child” herself, unprepared