Letter from Tisha: Wildfire Weekend Update & Looking Ahead, How You Can Help
Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you, your families, and your friends safe amidst the challenges of these wildfires. Our hearts are with everyone impacted, and we are working tirelessly to provide relief to those in need.
This Weekend’s Highlights:
• Partnering with Project Pop Drop: Together, we distributed 100 personal hygiene kits, food, new clothing, and more to the Anderson Munger Family YMCA. They were overwhelmed with gratitude and have accepted our offer to assist them in distributing items more efficiently and effectively during this challenging time.
• Addressing Specific Family Needs: As we hear about specific needs from families, we are working to get them what they request. This includes clothing, blankets, shoes, towels, and personal hygiene items, ensuring they receive exactly what they need during this time of uncertainty.
• Food Deliveries Across the Community: We delivered food and other essentials to various organizations this weekend and will continue to do so as we check in with them.
Generous Donations:
• A heartfelt thank you to Priscilla Loomis Frederick of the Frederick Donation, who made a generous financial donation to support our efforts.
• We are also incredibly grateful to the many individuals, both locally and across the country, who have stepped up to contribute to our mission. Your support means the world to us!
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Recognizing Local Support:
• Our gratitude goes out to the amazing field deputies and staff from Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel’s office and Councilmember Nithya Raman’s office for their communication and assistance. Together, we can make a greater impact in supporting those in need.
• A special thank you to local companies offering their services to assist wildfire victims. Your generosity and support are helping so many get through this difficult time.
• Supporting Local Firefighters: We were honored to assist local hotels housing firefighters by delivering much-needed supplies. If you know of other hotels in need, please let us know—we would love to support them as well.
Looking Ahead: How You Can Get Involved:
A huge thank you to all the incredible volunteers who stepped up to help this weekend. Your efforts made a significant impact, and we couldn’t have done it without you. That said, there is still so much to do, and we need your help!
Volunteer Opportunities:
• Help us sort and distribute donations at our Canoga Park location.
• Make calls to identify where we can efficiently direct help, including for families, evacuees, and firefighters.
• Assist with organizing and delivering items to shelters, fire stations, and hotels.
Items We Urgently Need:
While we’ve received generous donations, we still need:
• Diapers (all sizes)
• Emergency blankets
• First aid kits
• Chapstick
• Eye drops
• Protein drinks
• Coconut water
• Electrolytes
• Gatorade
• Red Bull
• Beef jerky
• Snacks/Nonperishable Food
• Trash bags
• New Socks
• New Undergarments
• Blankets
• Razor kits
• Water
• Powdered Creamer
• Hard Hats
• Work Gloves
• Luggage
• Single Use Utensils, Bowls, Plates
• Ziplocs
• Bags/Lunch Bags
• Fruit
• Pet Food - Dogs, Cats, Birds, Hamsters, etc.
• Gift cards (for families in need of essentials while they transition to stability).
How You Can Help Financially:
Your financial support is critical to helping us meet the needs of the families, firefighters, and evacuees we serve. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.
Donate here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WJHDBAKKQULB4
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Housing Support Through SHE IS HOPE Realty:
In addition to our relief efforts, SHE IS HOPE Realty is here to help you with housing during this difficult time. We understand that insurance claims and assistance take time, and navigating your options can be overwhelming. Whether you’re looking for short-term, mid-term, or long-term housing solutions—or considering rebuilding, selling, moving, or downsizing—we’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you have questions or want to review your options, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We will also be reaching out to companies to donate furniture and household items to help families as they transition back to stability.
If You Know Anyone Who Needs Help:
If you know someone directly impacted by these wildfires who needs help, please send them our way. We are here to assist however we can.
Stay Connected:
We’ve updated our resources and forms to make it easier for you to get involved or seek assistance:
• Website: www.sheishopela.org
• Subscribe to Updates: https://sheishopela.org/so/7bPHJEeaW?languageTag=en&cid=ef8b5f7c-a9fa-43da-8fe7-eea35114a1c4®ion=5b73b1db-fdb3-49d0-b928-3e45cf115280
• Volunteer Signup Form: volunteer@sheishopela.org
• Wildfire Housing Assistance Form:
Together, we are stronger. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey with us. Your compassion and generosity make all the difference. We are #LAStrong!
Warm regards,
Tisha Janigian
President & Founder, SHE IS HOPE LA
SHE IS HOPE LA
Welcome!
SHE IS HOPE LA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering single mothers and their families by providing essential resources, education, and support. Through housing, career development, and community programs, SHE IS HOPE LA is committed to breaking the cycle of instability and guiding single mothers on their journey from survival to success.
MISSION
At SHE IS HOPE LA, we envision a world where single mothers are universally empowered, societal and institutional barriers to their success are dismantled, creating an equitable landscape where single mothers and their families thrive. Our mission is to break the cycle of instability by empowering single mothers and their children, guiding their journey from survival to a state of enduring success. As a beacon of hope and a catalyst for systemic change, we aim to redefine the landscape of support, ensuring that every mother and child has the opportunity to flourish and contribute to a more inclusive and resilient society.
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VALUES
Empowerment: We believe in equipping single mothers with the tools, skills, and confidence they need to take control of their own futures.
Compassion: We approach our work with empathy, understanding that each mother and child we serve has a unique story and set of needs.
Inclusivity: We celebrate diversity, ensuring an environment where every voice is heard, every culture is respected, and every family feels they belong.
Resilience: We are committed to helping those we serve confront adversities with fortitude, bounce back from setbacks, and build a strong foundation for the future.
Collaboration: We believe in the power of unity, partnerships and community involvement, understanding that it takes a collective effort to create lasting change.
Integrity: We operate with the highest standards of ethical practices, transparency, honesty, and accountability, fostering the trust and mutual respect of those we serve, our community, and beyond.
Innovation: Our approach is dynamic and forward-thinking, constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of families with creative solutions and sustainable strategies.
VISION
SHE IS HOPE LA is deeply committed to redefining support structures and advocacy, equipping single mother families with the necessary resources to ensure a life of dignity and security. We recognize that the journey towards stability and self-reliance begins with meeting essential daily and basic human needs. Our comprehensive support system begins with access to nutritious food, clothing, and essential household items, and continues into education, career development, safe and secure housing and childcare resources. We believe that addressing these individual or collective needs builds a strong foundation for those we serve, paving the way for a future filled with opportunity and hope.
GET INVOLVED
You Can Make a Difference
Our strength is amplified with collective action, and you can help make a difference with SHE IS HOPE LA right now! The support we receive is a huge driver of the good work we do in single mothers solve their most challenging problems. Get in touch today and join our community in making a lasting impact.
THE INSPIRATION THAT
BEGAN SHE IS HOPE LA
TISHA'S STORY
My journey wasn't easy, but it shaped who I am today. In my marriage, I often felt trapped by the vows I had taken and the fear of burdening my parents if I left. The birth of my two sons, both facing health issues and numerous surgeries, only added to the stress. I left my ex-husband several times, starting when my second son was just six months old. When I finally found the strength to leave for good, my boys and I began our new lives with only three suitcases, as all our belongings were in a storage unit in another state. With no money, credit, or assets, finding an apartment was incredibly challenging, even with my father as a co-signer. The wait for Section 8 Housing was unbearably long.
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I soon discovered that I couldn't afford before and after-school childcare, so I began searching for a part-time job. Unfortunately, many companies refused to even interview me, deeming me overqualified due to my Bachelor's Degree and assuming I wouldn't stay long. When I eventually secured a few hours of work each week, my food stamp benefits plummeted, revealing the flaws in a system that seems designed to keep people dependent.
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Despite my efforts, my income wasn't enough to cover utilities, even with a low-income discount. To make ends meet, I scoured Craig's List and Freecycle for items to resell and picked items up from the side of the road. Growing up on the East Coast, helping my parents in the antique business had given me a knack for this. By sharing my story with friends old and new, I received a hand up instead of a handout in the form of side jobs, such as babysitting and pet sitting and participating in focus groups. These side hustles were crucial in covering utilities, food, and gas. The work and minimal child support placed me in the gap right above the poverty line, where little assistance was available.
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My luck began to change when I was promoted six months after starting a part-time job. Reflecting on my journey, I wouldn't change a thing because it brought me my two amazing sons, who are my world. Through these challenges and countless conversations with other single moms facing similar struggles, I realized I had to make a difference.
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My personal experiences and the obstacles faced by single moms inspired me to create SHE IS HOPE LA. This organization is dedicated to providing the support and resources that single mothers need to thrive. Together, we can break the cycle of instability and empower single mothers and their children to achieve enduring success by giving them a new purpose, a new direction and a new hope!
Tisha Janigian