2020
2020 came and I was ready for it. 2018 and 2019 was all about self-discovery and exploration in Asia. With the new year, my new company, The Keir Collection was launching. My first line of products were finally decided. Everything was fresh, exciting and go, go, go.
And…. you know what happened next. We all know what happened next.
Best laid plans, right?
I quarantined alone for 40 days. The weight of fear, anxiety and depression caved in on me. The uncertainty was paralyzing.
My best friend Sarah came to the rescue. She asked me to volunteer with her at the Violence Intervention Program, or VIP, an organization that helps the abused and neglected in LA County. Their programs provide resources for children, youth and elders, and they organize adult and LGBTQ+ services. They give care to 70% of children in the foster system and help 20,000 people a year move past abuse, assault and neglect.
Stay at Home has been inconvenient for some, but “home” is not safe others. Domestic violence and child trafficking is on the rise. Still other’s don’t have a home to stay, period. While we all face challenges in these times, a lot of us can do so much for those who are suffering so much more.
VOLUNTEERING DURING COVID
My volunteering during Covid began in April. My first day, Sarah and I stuffed care packages with essential items and teddy bears for women and children. Then we dropped them off at various housing units around the Los Angeles area. Another day, we headed to the hospital. Sarah had been organizing food delivery drops for nurses and doctors on the front lines. M Café donated food, which we handed out to the essential workers. Daily, they face fear, death and unstoppable forces. I cannot comprehend what they feel or experience, but supporting them in any way possible is a small step towards relief.
Empathy is vital, not just for the benefit of the community, but for personal joy. Volunteering deeply expanded my gratitude and happiness. While quarantining alone, I would think of more ways to help.
Mother’s Day was approaching and my friend Tyrone, a volunteer manager at the Violence Intervention Program, reached out. We were tasked to pack 1000 Mother’s Day gift bags. Each bag included makeup, a handwritten note, a VIP pamphlet and a beautiful orchid donated from Westerlay Orchids. Along with Red Eye — a community empowerment program that happens to get funding from the Kardashians — and their founder, Justin, we passed out our gift bags to the moms of Watts.
After a long and fulfilling day, we still had more to give. The next weekend we teamed with Red Eye again, distributing the remaining bags. First we gave to the Downtown Women’s Center, an organization that helps women get off the streets and provides housing and job opportunities. Then we walked around Skid Row doling out the rest.
People kept coming up to us, asking if we had snacks or water. We didn’t. There was more work to be done.
OUR PROJECT
In LA, homelessness is extremely apparent and noticeably rising. According to an NPR article, those experiencing homelessness has increased 14.2% since last year. Volunteering is the tip of the iceberg. One program opens the door to more communities, more needs to meet, more opportunities to help.
A few weeks after we visited Skid Row, I couldn’t stop thinking about those who asked for food and water. Sarah and I decided to take action. We would create a program of our own.
Our goal — 500 care packages stuffed with essential items for people experiencing homelessness in the LA area. We would include a reusable bag, $10 gift card to Subway or Chick-fil-A, organic granola bar from CORE foods, water, gatorade, chips, socks, comb, toothpaste, toothbrush, tampons and a handwritten uplifting note.
We called in our girls. Along with our girlfriends, we posted on IG stories and messaged friends. Within the first three days we had all the donations we needed for the 500 packages! People even reached out asking to volunteer with us!
On a Monday, Sarah and I packed care package. On Tuesday came the reinforcements. Our friends, Erin, Keila and Shay volunteered. We finished the bags that morning, then loaded up the cars and headed to the Union Rescue Mission, located in the heart of Skid Row.
Tyrone, my volunteering inspiration, joined us as we unloaded the car. People I love and respect showed up to support our endeavors and the community. Nothing is more fulfilling. We set up in the Union Rescue Mission’s cafeteria and handed out care packages to those staying in the shelter.
Later we spoke with coordinators and the mission’s CEO. Tyrone gave us a tour of the property. We saw designated areas for quarantining before entering the shelter. We learned about the myriad of services URM provides. The shelter serves 1 million meals a year, provides 250,000 nights of shelter, 15,000 health and clinic sessions and has helped 85 people graduate college.
The day was special. As we left, we passed out more bags on Skid Row. Everyone was so grateful. Those moments of connection were deeply rewarding. One day can go a long way. If everyone could give one day, where would we be?
HOMELESSNESS IN LOS ANGELES
In LA, each night, there are 58,000 people experiencing homelessness. Skid Row accounts for about 2,000 of those people, in less than a mile-wide area.
According to Union Rescue Mission, of those experiencing homelessness in LA:
8% are veterans
22% are youth
19% are physically disabled
16% of adults are employed
48% graduated from high school
32% have a bachelor’s degree or higher
Our city is in a home insecurity crisis as the housing market skyrockets. The Los Angeles Homeless Service Authorities found LA County the least affordable housing market in the United States. You can read more of LASHA’s results here.
COVID-19 AND GOALS MOVING FORWARD
I ended up contracting Covid-19 a week after our volunteer day at the Union Rescue Mission and tested positive for 7 weeks. I quarantined fully. My volunteering was paused but will continue. I look forward to getting back out there as soon as I can.
One of my initial goals for the Keir Collection was to create hands-on charity events, bringing people together to give back. Every year going forward, I plan to organize at least two to four volunteer projects. Service to others is necessary and rewarding. We all need to broaden our perspectives and gain empathy, especially now.
Covid-19 has been a struggle for everyone and a rollercoaster of anxiety and depression. I feel lonely and isolated. We all do. But when I step back, I see that the pandemic has set me on a much deeper path. Crisis enlightens us. Everything is a mess, but I have gained clarity and insight into what matters most. There’s no more time to waste. Giving back is essential. If capable, every human in America should find time to give. We all have different means, different availability, but we all can help in our own way. Dedicate some time or resources to others. An hour, a month, a daily practice can make a difference. Our city, our country, can be one thriving community if we come together to learn, grow and support each other.
