1st Foundation Corporation

SUITCASE JOE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO BRING AWARENESS AND SERVICE TO PEOPLE LIVING IN AND AROUND SKID ROW AND DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (DTLA). THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES BASIC ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE AND SUPPLIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS. WE SUPPORT THEIR HUMANITY, STORIES AND INTEGRITY THROUGH NON-EXPLOITATIVE STORY SHARING AND LIFE-BUILDING WORKSHOPS TO MINIMIZE AND HELP TO ELIMINATE RECIDIVISM IN UNHOUSED PERSONS. WE ARE OFFICIAL PARTNERS WITH ONE OF THE MOST ESTEEMED PUBLIC MISSIONS IN THE COUNTRY: THE LOS ANGELES MISSION. THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS, SUITCASE JOE FOUNDATION WAS THE GOLD SPONSOR FOR THE HOT MEAL SERVICES AT THE MISSION, SERVING SKID ROW RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES IN LOS ANGELES COMMUNITIES WHO EXPERIENCED FOOD VULNERABILITIES DURING THANKSGIVING 2022, FOOD AND COLD WEATHER NECESSITIES WERE PROVIDED FOR MORE THAN 5000 PEOPLE WHEN THEY NEEDED IT MOST. LAST WINTER WAS ESPECIALLY HARSH AND LONG LASTING FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT SHELTER, THESE NECESSITIES WERE NEEDED MORE THAN EVER. OUR SCHOLARSHIPS WITH THE LA MISSION CONTINUED TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE 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. ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL PROGRAMS WE PROVIDED WERE MATCHING SAVINGS GRANTS FOR EVERY WOMAN WHO WAS BANKED AND INVESTED IN THEIR SAVINGS FROM JANUARY TO DECEMBER 2022 AT THE ANNE DOUGLAS CENTER FOR WOMEN. THESE WOMEN WERE SAVING TO AFFORD THEIR RENT AND HOUSING EXPENSES WHEN THEY GRADUATE, THE PROGRAM LITERALLY DOUBLED THE IMPACT OF THEIR PERSONAL INITIATIVE FOR SELF-SUSTAINABILITY. SUITCASE JOE CONTINUED TO HELP SELECT GRADUATES WHO HAVE TRANSITIONED TO PERMANENT HOUSING AND JOBS AS A LONG-TERM FRIEND AND WRAP-AROUND SUPPORT SYSTEM, INCLUDING COLLEGE AND JOB SUPPORT 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. AS THE LONGEST RUNNING ANCILLARY SERVICE CHARITY FOR SAFEPARKLA, 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 STABLE FOOD SUPPLIES, BLANKETS, BATTERIES AND CHARGERS, WATER, SHOWERS, 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, LACHC, WE HELP SUPPORT AND BRING AWARENESS TO 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 EXTENDED ITS SUPPORT FOR FREE MONTHLY WORKSHOPS FOR PROVIDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND LIFE ENHANCING ACTIVITIES THAT BRING EDUCATION, HUMANITY AND INSPIRATION ALONGSIDE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH SUPPORT, MENTORSHIP, AND FRIENDSHIP TO UNHOUSED PERSONS.