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 Earlier this month our Mobile Clothing Closet started a new service site in East LA at the Lincoln Park Recreation Center with our mobile shower partner Lava Mae. There are also mobile medical and dental clinics on-site. We will be at this location on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 10am-2pm. Project Ropa’s mobile clothing closet is the only one of its’ kind in the Los Angeles area. Most shelters and bricks and mortar clothing closets don’t have consistent access to clean clothing in a wide variety of fits and styles. Our service fills a gap in services for those in need. Project Ropa’s caring approach—meeting people wherever they are with extraordinary care—supports health, restores dignity and rekindles optimism for those in need. We work with each individual to provide them with an outfit that is their size, style and appropriate for their needs. Clean clothes may seem like a small thing to those who have access to them every day. But, to someone on the streets, a new outfit can restore dignity, rekindle optimism, and fuel a sense of opportunity. These basics that many of us take for granted are often hard to come by for people experiencing homelessness and can be a barrier to getting employment and housing. MAKE A DONATION Volunteer Spotlight This month in our volunteer spotlight we are highlighting Olivia who has been volunteering at Project Ropa’s warehouse for the past year.  “After working in finance and marketing, I decided to step out of the corporate world when my first child was born. Through the next two decades I spent my time focused on my children and their schools, volunteering often at their schools and finding the experience tremendously rewarding. As my younger daughter prepared to head off to college, I wanted to explore what my next chapter would look like and I began volunteering in a kitten nursery. I added more cat-focused volunteering and found it to be something I really looked forward to. Then two years ago, I started volunteering at a Covid vaccine clinic in South LA. After the summer of 2020, I was really interested in finding ways to support an underserved neighborhood and this was a great opportunity for me. My time there has allowed me to meet so many people I wouldn’t have the chance to cross paths with and I have made friends who enrich my life and give me an entirely different perspective than I would have otherwise. Of course, anyone who lives in Los Angeles, is keenly aware of the unhoused crisis unfolding in our city. I was so thrilled when I discovered Project Ropa and the wonderful work they do to support unhoused people. Another group was holding a clothing drive for Project Ropa so I went in to look at the website. I was excited when I realized that there was a role for volunteers and I wanted to get involved. I believe so strongly that basic human dignity is something we must all work to protect for others. So Project Ropa’s mission of bringing items to support that to our unhoused neighbors really spoke to me. I love to work in the warehouse, sorting clothing and putting together hygiene kits (the orderliness really appeals to me). The people who work at Project Ropa and the other volunteers have such a positive energy and I look forward to helping out whenever I can. At each stage of my life, I find it is really important to have purpose. The unhoused crisis is so sprawling that it can be overwhelming to see the suffering but feel helpless. Project Ropa has given me a new way of being involved and feeling that I can make a small difference and I am so grateful for this opportunity.” – Olivia R. Thank you Olivia for all your hard work and support. We are always looking for volunteers to help out at our mobile service sites and our warehouse in Gardena. If you are interested in volunteering with us please email us. Ways to Get Involved  Become a Monthly Donor Monthly donations provide us with a reliable and consistent source of funding that allows us to plan ahead and make a greater impact with our services. A donation of any size will help us to continue provide vital support to unhoused and low-income individuals and families in the community. We appreciate your support and hope you will consider becoming a monthly donor. Make a donation now. Create a Fundraiser on Facebook Help raise funds for Project Ropa and get your friends and family involved by starting a fundraiser on Facebook. Get started here. Stock our Closet Help stock our closet with clothing and hygiene essentials. We are currently most in need of the following items: – Belts – Hygiene Products – Men’s pants (size 34-44) – Men’s sneakers and sandals (sizes 8-12) – Men’s and Women’s Underwear (sizes M-4XL – new only) – Women’s shoes (sizes 5-9) To make it easier we’ve created a wishlist on Amazon on the items we need the most. All items purchased from our wishlist will ship directly to us. Our wishlist can be viewed here. If you’d like to drop off items at our warehouse or schedule a local pick up please email us. Volunteer with Us We have in-person volunteer opportunities available at our warehouse in Gardena and at our direct service sites in Echo Park, Hollywood and Lincoln Park. We also have remote volunteer opportunities available which include creating laundry kits and hygiene kits as well as organizing a clothing, shoe and/or hygiene drive for us. More information about all of our volunteer opportunities can be viewed here. MAKE A DONATION |
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