About us
What inspired you to choose this activity?
In the Santa Clarita Valley, self-proclaimed “Awesometown”, homelessness is an issue that we prefer to think only exists in downtown Los Angeles’s Skid Row and the Venice Beach Boardwalk. In reality, it is an issue that we have in our very community;. homelessness is increasing in SCV just like it is in other parts of Los Angeles. What is our city doing about it? Recently, the city of SCV declined to renew a grant for Family Promise, a local nonprofit serving homeless families, and our only local homeless shelter for individuals, A Bridge to Home, is only open for 5 months of the year. Upon further research into this issue, the title of “Awesometown” is actually very revealing of the priorities of this community: it is a city that spends so much time selling a clean and safe image that its operations end up being just as shallow as the corny tagline.
What’s your personal investment in it?
We want our city to truly live up to our currently empty tagline, and we believe that putting more emphasis on aiding the homeless of our community is a first step in showing that all people are valued in our valley. Living in this community, we see individuals being forced out of their already desolate living environments, and being members of this community, we believe it is our responsibility to do something about it. In addressing this issue, we hope to continually learn about the complexity of this issue and discover sustainable methods of supporting those who are in need.
In the Santa Clarita Valley, self-proclaimed “Awesometown”, homelessness is an issue that we prefer to think only exists in downtown Los Angeles’s Skid Row and the Venice Beach Boardwalk. In reality, it is an issue that we have in our very community;. homelessness is increasing in SCV just like it is in other parts of Los Angeles. What is our city doing about it? Recently, the city of SCV declined to renew a grant for Family Promise, a local nonprofit serving homeless families, and our only local homeless shelter for individuals, A Bridge to Home, is only open for 5 months of the year. Upon further research into this issue, the title of “Awesometown” is actually very revealing of the priorities of this community: it is a city that spends so much time selling a clean and safe image that its operations end up being just as shallow as the corny tagline.
What’s your personal investment in it?
We want our city to truly live up to our currently empty tagline, and we believe that putting more emphasis on aiding the homeless of our community is a first step in showing that all people are valued in our valley. Living in this community, we see individuals being forced out of their already desolate living environments, and being members of this community, we believe it is our responsibility to do something about it. In addressing this issue, we hope to continually learn about the complexity of this issue and discover sustainable methods of supporting those who are in need.
What are your short term goals?
While those working in government and nonprofit positions will continue fretting over funding, we desire to show the power of groundwork, effective community organization, and strategic management of resources. In the near future, our projects consist of a $5,000 fundraiser for Family Promise, a clothing drive and dignified shopping experience for the homeless, and a weekly meal service in conjunction with A Bridge to Home. We also hope to be a source of information for those hoping to learn more about homelessness and ways to be of help.
What is your ultimate goal?
Our ultimate goal is to create a global mentality of compassion toward the homeless, rather than that of negative stigmas that over simplify and exacerbate the problem. Through our work, we hope to prove that high school organizations have an incredibly important role to play in their community and inspire more youth to take initiative to make an impact in their world.