Transitioning someone into housing is never as simple as just handing them the keys – and the barriers our clients face are as varied as the people themselves. Here, we begin a new series of fictionalized accounts that illustrate some of the very real challenges our clients have to overcome in order to get a […]
Barriers to Housing – Bella’s Story Read More »
What do women experiencing homelessness need most? This was a question posed by a group of women from Pasadena churches – the “Women’s Issue Committee” – in 2005. They spent many months researching the question, but didn’t let things rest there: they put their findings into practice by opening The Women’s Room at Friends In
The TWR Story – The “Persisterhood” Read More »
Jenny was having a run of bad luck – her husband’s shop had burned down, and the family was short of cash. Then she had a call from a former coworker, Lindsey, who had heard that Jenny was looking for some extra work. She offered Jenny a few hours per week at The Women’s Room
Jenny’s Story – Always Finding a Little Extra Read More »
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
Join us for EmpowerHER: Flowers & Flourish on March 30th and help us reach our $10,000 Crowdfunding Challenge to support The Women’s Room and our guests experiencing homelessness and hardship in honor of Women’s History Month.
