1st Foundation Corporation

TO HARNESS THE POWER OF THE MOST CREATIVE PEOPLE, BRANDS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS AND SAVE LIVES.

SUITCASE JOE FOUNDATION IS BRINGING AWARENESS AND SERVICE TO PEOPLE LIVING IN AND AROUND SKID ROW AND DTLA. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES FOOD AND BASIC SUPPLIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS SERVICING THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY. WE SUPPORT THEIR HUMANITY, STORIES AND INTEGRITY THROUGH NONEXPLOITIVE STORY SHARING AND LIFE-BUILDING WORKSHOPS. WE ARE OFFICIAL PARTNERS WITH ONE OF THE MOST ESTEEMED PUBLIC MISSIONS IN THE COUNTRY: THE LOS ANGELES MISSION. DURING THE HEIGHTOF COVID-19, THE ORGANIZATION WAS THE ONLY ONE ALLOWED TO PERFORM ON CAMPUS HEALTH INITIATIVE WORKSHOPS FOR THE ANNE DOUGLAS CENTER FOR WOMEN. THE ORGANIZATION EXTENDED THIS PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORT MONTHLY WORKSHOPS PROVIDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, FUNDAMENTAL MONEY MANAGEMENT AND COMPOUND SAVINGS WORKSHOP, AND LIFE ENHANCING ACTIVITIES THAT BRING EDUCATION, HUMANITY AND INSPIRATION ALONGSIDE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH SUPPORT, MENTORSHIP, AND FRIENDSHIP. THE ORGANIZATION FUNDED TWO MATCHING SCHOLARSHIPS TO 2 WOMEN AND 2 MEN WHO RECEIVED 18-MONTH INTENSIVE EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND LONG-TERM SHELTER AND CARE TO GET OFF THE STREET, BE REHABILITATED, AND GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A NEW, BETTER PATH IN LIFE. TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES MENTORSHIP TO SOME STUDENTS WHEN THEY GRADUATE AND RECEIVE PERMANENT HOUSING AND JOBS AS A LONG-TERM FRIEND AND WRAP AROUND SUPPORT SYSTEM, INCLUDING COLLEGE AND JOB SUPPORT MENTORING AND HOME MANAGEMENT. THE ORGANIZATION SEEKS TO FILL IN SUPPORT GAPS WHEREVER AND WHENEVER POSSIBLE. THE GOAL IS TO HELP PROVIDE RESPECTFUL AND IMPACTFUL TRANSITORY LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS WHILE PERMANENT HOUSING IS SECURED AND/OR MAINTAINED. THE COMMUNITY SERVICE OUTREACH GOES BEYOND SKID ROW WHENEVER POSSIBLE. THE ORGANIZATION HELPS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN DTLA AND SW LA WHO LIVE IN THEIR CARS, ESPECIALLY SINGLE MOTHERS, AND SENIORS. BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT, GASOLINE, AND BASIC HUMAN NECESSITIES SUCH AS HOT MEALS, STABLE FOOD SUPPLIES, BLANKETS, BATTERIES AND CHARGERS, WATER, SHOWERS, COVID- RELATED PPE, SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND SCHOOL CLOTHING, AND TOYS FOR SMALL CHILDREN TO PROVIDE CHILDHOOD JOY IN THE FACE OF DESPAIR. IN EFFORTS WITH THE BEST SKID ROW-CENTERED MEDICAL CLINIC, TO SUPPORT A DEDICATED LIAISON FOR FREE AND LOW-COST MEDICAL CARE AND VACCINATIONS FOR FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN AUTOMOBILES, INCLUDING MENTAL WELLNESS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY AS THESE TWO CRITICAL ISSUES ARE REPORTED MOST OFTEN AMONGST LONGER TERM CAR DWELLERS. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED A MINIMUM OF A YEAR'S WORTH OF FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS TO SAFEPARKLA FOR ALL THEIR FEMALE CLIENTS TO SERVICE WOMEN IN OVER A DOZEN PARKING LOTS SO THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER THE SHAME AND HUMILIATION OF NOT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS WHILE UNHOUSED AND FINANCIALLY INSECURE. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED 6 MONTHS' WORTH OF DIAPERS TO A COMMUNITY CENTER IN SW LA FOR ALL 1-YEAR-OLD BABIES WHEN LOS ANGELES COUNTY SERVICES EXPERIENCED SHIPPING DELAYS FOR LARGER SIZED DIAPERS.