About a decade ago, Debby Singer, who was then the Education Director at Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center (PJTC), was approached by her rabbi because he had been invited to join the board of Friends In Deed. “My wife will kill me if I join another board,” he said. “Can you take a look and […]
Debby’s Story – Fixing the World Read More »
Mishele had just moved to Pasadena and was looking for a way to connect with the community. She heard about Friends In Deed, looked us up online, read about The Women’s Room, and got in touch. She has been involved in making lunch for The Women’s Room on a monthly basis ever since! As a
Mishele’s Story – Always a Lunch on the Table Read More »
Annie has a deep connection to the work we do on both a personal and a professional level – she is studying for a masters degree in social work, but also researches nonprofit organizations for her employer, a local philanthropist. When she first visited us, Annie says that she “fell in love” with Friends In
Annie’s Story – Checking Her Own Stuff at the Door Read More »
Wanda (pictured here with Director of The Women’s Room Lindsey) is one of our “new brand” of clients in The Women’s Room – articulate, high-functioning women who never expected to be in the position of needing our services, but whose lives were knocked off balance by the pandemic and who have struggled to get back
Wanda’s Story – Knocked Off Balance Read More »
As a one-time president of the Assistance League of Pasadena, Ursula Hyman knew of Friends In Deed through working with us on a number of projects. She feels that, in a developed country like the US, homelessness and hunger are a tragedy – and it is this belief that led to her becoming further involved
Ursula’s Story – Hope for the Future Read More »
By profession, Kanchi is a screenwriter with film production and set skills, but she lost her work during the writers’ strike and that, plus going through a divorce, put her at risk of homelessness. Fortunately her life is now reasonably stable, but this experience has left her with a profound connection to the guests we
Kanchi’s Story – Profound Connection Read More »
During the pandemic lockdown, Ryan and his wife found themselves taking walks through the neighborhood to get a break from being cooped up in their apartment. Friends In Deed House was on their regular route, and they became intrigued enough to check us out. From there it wasn’t long before Ryan started volunteering in the
John has a long and distinguished history as a Friends In Deed volunteer. He started helping out as a grant writer in 2009, but soon found a more permanent home in our Food Pantry. For a while, when he was between jobs, he was volunteering full time! These days, he carves out time for us
John’s Story – Perspective and Empathy Read More »
Our Food Pantry team did an amazing job of adapting the way the pantry ran during the pandemic – pivoting to offering safe services outside. But there’s no getting around the fact that the temporary system offered our clients less in the way of choice and flexibility than we like to be able to give.
A Story of Enabling Dignity Read More »
The Program Associate on the staff of The Women’s Room, Jenny, is bilingual in English and Spanish – a great benefit to the smooth operation of that program. And, with her consistent presence, we are finding the Hispanic cohort among our TWR guests is growing and blossoming into a supportive sub-community that brightens the program
A Story of Building Community Read More »
