Imagine LA

The Need: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unhoused and recently housed families are experiencing added stress and uncertainty as they navigate the demands of work, education, children, services, and more. Every day, families are asking for resources related to family fun and basic needs.

The Initiative: As part of Imagine LA’s response to COVID-19, we are leading a county-wide effort to ensure that each of the 6,000 families served by the Los Angeles Homeless Provider Alliance Family Service Providers Caucus, has the family fun and basic needs resources to thrive as a family during this time.

The Goal: To collect 6,000 Family Fun & Care Packages to distribute to unhoused and recently housed families.

Ways To Help

1. Assemble a Family Fun & Care Package and coordinate with Imagine LA on drop-off at our office

2. Purchase supplies from our Amazon Wish List to be delivered directly to Imagine LA

3. Mobilize your community! Download & personalize our customizable flyer, share it with your network, collect the packages at your home or business, and coordinate with Imagine LA on drop-off at our office

4. REMEMBER: STAY SAFE. USE GLOVES & MASKS.

• Imagine LA Volunteer Mentors serve as friends, partners, and companions for parents and children who have experienced homelessness and are now housed.
• COVID-19 PIVOT: As we all cope with the COVID-19 crisis, the health and security of our families, mentors, and staff is our top priority. As such, we have pivoted our Mentorship program to be FULLY VIRTUAL for the duration of the crisis. This includes shifting to VIRTUAL platforms for our training sessions, family & kickoff meetings, and all mentor-mentee interactions. When local and national health guidelines are lifted, mentors and mentees will start/continue in-person activities.
• Mentor Eligibility: 21 years or older; Live in Greater Los Angeles; Believe in the power of relationships; Interested in helping families meet their goals
• The Mentor Experience: One-on-one relationship-building and mentoring activities with a youth (ages 5 & older) or adult mentee (e.g., trips to the beach, help with science project, budgeting or resumé writing); Ongoing support and resources from Imagine LA Family Team Manager; Other volunteer opportunities with Imagine LA (optional)
• The Mentor Commitment: Mandatory background check; Twice monthly visits with your mentee (1-2 hours each) (4-6 hours per month); Twice monthly text/email/call with your mentee (off-weeks) (30 min per month); Twice monthly Mentor Team Conference Calls with your Family Team Manager (1 hour per month); Communication with Imagine LA (30 min per month); Quarterly potluck-style meetings with the family & Family Team Manager (2 hours per quarter); Total: 6-8 hours per month for 12-18 months
• Volunteer Benefits: It feels great!; Networking opportunities; Free background check; Be an agent of long-term change; Learn about homelessness & poverty; Transformative vs. transactional volunteering; Develop new skills & relationships
• What’s Next: Visit https://action.imaginela.org/mentor_application to complete our Mentor Application.

Imagine LA’s volunteer mentors are committed to fighting homelessness in Los Angeles and play an essential role in fulfilling our mission. They are eager to work in a team of like-minded peers and commit to a long-term volunteer position that’s incredibly fulfilling.