Beyond Shelter

Through its "Housing First" Program, helps homeless families with children to move into permanent, affordable housing in residential neighborhoods and then provides social services to help families rebuild their lives.

How do you help people in my community?

As of April 2009, 7,500 homeless families, with approximately 15,500 children, were sleeping in shelters, on the streets, in their cars, or in and out of missions in L.A.’s Skid Row – and the situation is getting worse!   Almost 10% of the County’s homeless families were enrolled in Beyond Shelter’s “Housing First” Program last year, primarily referred to the “Housing First” Program by a network of 70 referral agencies – domestic violence and women’s shelters, emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, and other specialized programs. 

Why do you need my support?

$1,000 is the average cost per family served through Beyond Shelter programs (beyond Federal, State, and Local funding for ongoing operations).  Your support will provide a variety of vital services and programs for homeless families – with the outcome being an end to their homeless crisis.  These services include crisis intervention for homeless families on the streets, the provision of emergency shelter, assistance in obtaining affordable housing, move-in funds for permanent housing, assistance in obtaining employment, and a wide variety of specialized services for children and youth.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

While all organizations have administrative costs, at Beyond Shelter we strive to help as many homeless families as possible and your donations are used to help the neediest families and children.

Can I Volunteer? How?

There are many ways to volunteer throughout the year:
•Hold a Food drive:  We will provide shopping lists of items most needed by homeless families

•Hold a School Supplies drive:  Fill backpacks with Back-to-School supplies.  

•Make Move-in Baskets:  When families move into their new homes, they often move in without even basic household items (cleaning supplies, paper goods, utensils, silverware, linens, towels)

•Collect new or gently used items for the families we serve

•Clothing Drives – Professional Clothing for Working Mothers     

•Donate tickets to events or theme parks for families to have a field trip

•Make a donation or hold a fundraiser:  We will come and speak about family homelessness and Beyond Shelter’s programs to help end homelessness for families with children.

•Participate in our annual fundraising celebration and other events held  throughout the year.

•Volunteer to help educate people about the increasing crisis of family homelessness.  To inquire, please call (213) 252-0772.