3000 athletic items distributed across L.A.

Shelter Partnership (SP), an affiliate ofChicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), received a donation of over 3,000 new workout items, which were all distributed to 60 partner organizations across Los Angeles.

The nonprofit stepped up to be a provider to other organizations who are directly serving the needs of the homeless community. These items were distributed last week to shelters, agencies and schools that provide direct services as part of SP's homelessness response efforts.

CPLC began with a group of student and community activists who pushed back against racial discrimination. Today, they provide services to people of all backgrounds while honoring their Mexican American roots. Through their organization they facilitate growth through five areas of impact: health and human services, housing, education, economic development and advocacy. They also serve vulnerable communities, including New York City, Los Angeles, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and Chicago.

Tomas Duran, market president for CPLC in California, said that they decided to partner up with SP because they admire the work that the organization has been doing the past 40 years. 

Not only does the organization play a role in distributing merchandise to other agencies that are addressing homelessness in L.A. County and neighboring areas, but it also does technical assistance and public policy around homelessness and more.

“We recognize that homelessness is one of the growing challenges within the Latino community and the communities of South Los Angeles and Central Los Angeles,” said Duran. “When the opportunity came to collaborate or affiliate with Shelter Partnership, it was something that was very mission-aligned. We thought it was a good way to leverage our existing resources and infrastructure to make sure that Shelter is able to continue to grow and to continue to serve."

He also added that the fastest-growing population of homelessness in L.A. County is Latino seniors. a population that is very near the group, and they want to make sure that they are advocating for them and supporting as much as they can.

The 3,000 workout items received by SP were an unusual donation, as the organization typically receives items such as clothing, shoes, diapers and occasionally furniture. The workout items included boxing bags, boxing gloves, yoga equipment, hand weights and additional athletic and fitness gear.

SP and CPLC accepted the donation because they viewed it as an opportunity to provide partners with equipment they otherwise may not have been able to afford. Those partners included schools, boxing gyms, domestic violence shelters, Homeboy Industries and other drug prevention programs. 

As part of the CPLC family, SP gains the support of a national community-based organization with nearly 60 years of experience advancing housing stability, economic opportunity, and integrated community services across the Southwest. Duran shared that this partnership between the two has created a positive impact in communities across L.A.

“Shelter Partnership has spent decades building trusted relationships with nonprofits and community partners across Los Angeles,” said Emily Gold, program manager of SP. “I have grown up with Shelter Partnership and, as someone who was raised in Los Angeles, I have seen firsthand the ongoing need for continued support of homeless service agencies. Joining the Chicanos Por La Causa family allows us to build on that strong foundation while expanding the resources and partnerships that help us serve our community more effectively.” 

With more than72,000 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County, local nonprofits continue to play a vital role in addressing one of the region’s most pressing humanitarian crises. 

Over the last four decades SP has been able to distribute more than $337 million in donated products, helping community organizations stretch limited resources while improving living conditions for thousands of Angelenos in shelters, transitional housing programs and supportive housing communities. 

Together, CPLC and Shelter Partnership are ensuring that individuals experiencing homelessness create a steady foundation to focus on their health. 

For Duran, the recent giveaway was important not only in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month but also in supporting organizations dedicated to serving vulnerable communities and promoting both mental and physical well-being. Duran said individuals experiencing homelessness deserve access to the same level of care and support as anyone else.

He also shared that seeing homeless individuals in the streets and in the alleys is such a big part of everyone's daily lives in LA, and sometimes people forget that those individuals experiencing homelessness can be somebody's daughter, somebody's son, somebody's parents or somebody's brother. “They all deserve dignity, and they all deserve to be treated well but also have the opportunity to have nice things,” Duran said.