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 […]
Gloria’s Story – Sleeping in the Park Read More »
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
Nicole’s Story – Escaping Exploitation Read More »
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
Pepper and Lindsey’s Story – Old Friends Read More »
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
Vanessa’s Story – Getting Out of the Hole Read More »
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
Cheynelle’s Story – A Change in Perspective Read More »
A week before Christmas, one of our clients had picked up food from the FID Food Pantry. On Christmas Day, she noticed a homeless gentleman on her porch, leaving and then returning. This happened throughout the day. She went about her day and decided to cook some food, for herself and this gentleman if he
A Pantry Client’s Story – Christmas Cheer Read More »
It took a long time and a lot of money before Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He was refused disability and by the time he finally got a diagnosis he had been made homeless and worn out the hospitality of all the friends and family who had been letting him couch surf. After a
Robert’s Story – Living in a Garage Read More »
Kyneisha was first referred to Friends In Deed from Elizabeth House where she had spent time as a soon-to-be mother. After having her baby boy and graduating their program, Kyneisha moved out to Monrovia and began working a steady job at a local hardware store. By this point she was no longer getting any financial
Kyneisha’s Story – Struggling with a Rent Increase Read More »
Ten years ago Chamaine and her then six-year-old daughter were homeless in Pasadena. Ultimately they were able to receive services through Union Station that led to permanent housing, but during that difficult time Chamaine remembers meeting staff members from Friends In Deed and thinking how kind they were to her and her daughter. Fast forward
Chamaine’s Story – Remembered Kindness Read More »
