Covenant House is by far the best shelter I have found for Transition Age Youth 18-24. From their…read moreOutreach team, on-site youth support staff to their management and executive directors, they facilitate a hospitable and supportive environment that fosters individual growth. People are treated as who they are or are capable of becoming, with complete dignity and respect. My favorite feature of Covenant House is that it feels like staff are "family" in a sense that they really care about each individual. As a member of the LGBT Community, I am proud to say I am supported here at Covenant House. Staff are very organized in their day-to-day operations. Upper management has a very strong on-site presence to ensure operational excellence and ultimately, resident growth. Thank you, Covenant House - California, for being a leading shelter, lifting individuals up from the streets and onto the pathway to future success.

Might be a legitimate charity that does good but uses an aggressive telemarketing service, MDS…read moreCommunications, that bombards phones and knowingly flaunts the National Do Not call List. Sad...

What can I say other thank thank you, y'all helped me in so many ways back in my days from writing…read morea resume n helping change my bad habits. Happy n glad y'all are still going strong n helping the homeless youth n I hope they appreciate all you guys do for them in the long run

Here's a dirty secret about Hollywood: it ain't really all that glamorous…read more I mean, sure--there are the premieres and the clubs. Some overpriced restaurants. But behind all of the glitzy glam, there's a lot more to see. A part of that is youth homelessness. There are 10,000 homeless youth living in Los Angeles. My Friend's Place helps about 1,800 of them per year; gives them food, a safe place to be during the day, educational opportunities, and case management. They're truly grassroots--100% privately funded, run by a dedicated group of folks, many of whom have been there for many, many years. It's one of those hidden-gem organizations that more folks should know about. They do incredible work with limited resources. Check 'em out and get involved!

Staff is kind and supportive as well as knowledgeable on mental health and resources.read more

I donated toys and childrens clothing. Very gracious and helpful . It is located on the southeast…read morecorner of Franklin at Labrea

I love this place. There are many worthy charities in LA, but this one is by far my favorite. The…read morestaff are all very welcoming and friendly, the administration is dedicated, and they all share a passion for helping those in need. They have built a community of more than just great volunteers, but also of the ones they serve. They greet them by name, know their stories and treat them with dignity and respect day in and day out, even when no one is watching. If you're looking for a great place to be a part of, I highly recommend coming here. The joy is infectious and I always leave with a smile on my face.

***This a message for those intending to volunteer with the St. Francis Center (DTLA), it's lengthy…read morebut worth the read*** This is nothing but an advisory service for those considering to volunteer with DTLA St. Francis mission. I wish not to deter or negate the intentions of the entire organization based on the actions of a few. There are genuinely good people and purpose being performed within this organization. With that said, I was recently dismissed from being able to volunteer with this mission. You might be asking yourself, how does one possibly get fired from a volunteer position that they signed up for? In my instance, it had nothing to do with my work ethic, timeliness, or understanding of the tasks at hand. (We were distributing food and clothing to the locals in need, absolutely not a complex concept whatsoever.) However, during my short stint volunteering with St. Francis I realized quickly that the management was somewhat dismissive of new volunteers which was masked as being overworked and overburdened. In most cases, running such a huge operation which can effect an entire communities functionality would be understandable. Unfortunately, I was personally met with this attitude and energy regularly. Despite that being the case, that didn't stop my enthusiasm or willingness to work diligently in order to positively impact the lives of those in need. I chose St. Francis for a reason, regardless of the circumstances of the people they serve they do so with seemingly compassionate intent. Unfortunately for me, an ill-timed joke made an organization possibly question the morality of their normalized "business" practices. Just days into my experience, I made a comment about some of the employees picking out donated items for their own personal use. In this realm of work, I'm completely aware that this is a common (and unspoken) practice amongst a plethora of donation organizations. It's shitty and in bad taste but it happens. Personally, it's not a big deal to me, it doesn't effect my well-being or sleep at night. My comments (which were in pure joking spirit and I thought were harmless) must have been overheard because I was approached by the director of the volunteer department. I was told by this person that the employees at the mission were allowed first dibs at the clothing, apparel, and miscellaneous items donated to the organization, to which I replied simply "I don't care." Said leader responded, "It sounded like you did, it would be better you not say anything at all." Shameless, nasty, rude. I completed my responsibilities, helped clean the areas I was assigned to and continued about my day proud of my participation with St. Francis Center. Sadly, later that afternoon I received an email claiming that I was 'not a good fit' at the mission and that I would no longer be allowed to volunteer with the organization. Initially confused and somewhat disappointed, I went on to laugh and laugh about the ridiculous circumstances bestowed upon me. The dismissal of my services from St. Francis Center won't hinder me from helping this particular part of town or community. (Mind you, there are a multitude of other organizations in the same area that do similar work and are seemingly more inviting, it can all be considered subjectively.) Regardless of my personal experience St. Francis' mission is genuine. Just be aware that those in positions of power in regards to their volunteer department may have some tyrannical and not so pleasant traits that rear their ugly heads from time to time. Do the work for yourself if you choose to volunteer here, in the end, righteousness will always prevail. God bless.

I used to go to Food on Foot for many years. Everything was great with the food part and most of…read morethe volunteers(always one bad apple in a bunch). But the clothes on the ground were absolutely degrading and uncivilized. Like a slap in the face for any down and out person or anyone for that matter. Who picks up anything up off the ground unless it's trash to throw away. And some of the clothes were very beautiful. Many are seniors and or disabled and can't bend down either. I sure hope they did something about that clothing, shoes, etc. Tables would solve the problem. So depressing to experience a line of food, smiles and hope just to come to the end of the line to see clothes on the ground reminding people how bad it really is(some go back to tents on the ground, etc). Lines and the wait is very long so if you can't stand for long periods(like myself) - bring a rollator walker to sit on.

What an amazing and rewarding experience this was!! I had been wanting to volunteer to help out the…read morehomeless and i wanted to find the right organization. I went on Google and started doing some research when I came across Food on Foot. Wow. Before I even signed up, I knew that this was something to look forward to. This organization not only gives food to the homeless, but they really work with them to help them with housing and finding jobs. We even got to hear from former people who used to be homeless--they are called 'Graduates'. Their stories and their energy prove that this is such an impactful organization and everyone deserves to know about it and help out. It is $20 to donate, but you actually can see where your money is going. The staff were very informative and friendly. I had an amazing first experience and I will be volunteering a lot more often with Food on Foot.

Some friends celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary here and invited about 100 of us to Our Big…read moreKitchen to cook meals for those in need. The organization from check-in to food preparation was astounding! There is complimentary valet parking in front. Aprons, gloves, and hairnets were provided for those not wearing baseball caps, plenty of explanations about the kitchen and purpose before we started. Hygiene between preparation was strictly adhered to, as well as safety protocols for the kids under a certain age. I love the use of fresh healthy ingredients to feed others with love and joy. Several volunteers helped set up so the stations by sanitizing and explaining, with all the equipment ready to go, like scoops for the meatballs, and knives for the vegetables. They literally cooked the meals during our volunteer time of 2 hours, we packaged 300 meals, with cookies we also made (and got to taste). The meals were picked up by local organizations to be delivered warm within an hour of us completing them. All the food is kosher and they buy all the fresh ingredients so the quality is beyond reproach. The care and community spirit were incredible, and I would highly recommend either hosting an event or simply volunteering!

We had our team building outing here and this was definitely something everyone should experience…read moreand you feel great about it after. First off, it's for a good cause and preparing meals for distribution to those in need throughout Los Angeles. Over the last year, Oour Big Kitchen put together 335 cooking sessions, with each session making 300 meals. They got over 17,000 volunteers involved and helped feed 105,000 people in need. I must say, this is an amazing place and the experience was one of the best. Upon arrival, I was greeted at the door by one of the staff members and she directed me to sign in and grab an apron. They provided waters and red vines for snacks. The place was a spacious area with metal tables with cooking ingredients on them. They believe in cleanliness, so sanitizer, gloves and hairnets were provided on site. We began making gnocchi while they prepared the chickpea tomatoes ragu and fresh vegetables. We prepared the containers, packaged the food and made lemon sugar cookies (pay it forward with a sugar cookie. Give the package to someone within 48 hours to make their day), all while playing a variety of music to keep the energy going. They gave us their story, mission statement and a tour of their kitchen. The equipment they use to prepare the meals are top notch and used by 5 star restaurants. We were all impressed by the icombi pro oven. Overall, we had a great time and I would highly recommend anyone to check out Our Big Kitchen and volunteer. Check out their website, sign up to volunteer and you can even take your kids. This is a great cause! Thank you for the opportunity to be part of something great! 5 out of 5 Afros OOOOO

Beit T'Shuvah is more than just a treatment center--it's a transformative community rooted in…read morecompassion, spirituality, and purpose. Located in Los Angeles, this unique facility blends clinical excellence with Jewish values to support individuals struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders. From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere is one of acceptance and healing. The staff--composed of therapists, counselors, spiritual leaders, and mentors--work tirelessly to create a safe space where residents can rebuild their lives. The program includes individual and group therapy, spiritual counseling, 12-step integration, and vocational training, all designed to foster long-term recovery and personal growth A B. What sets Beit T'Shuvah apart is its emphasis on soul-searching and community. Residents participate in Shabbat services, holiday celebrations, and work therapy programs that help them reconnect with meaning and responsibility. The center also offers jail diversion services, giving people a second chance through treatment instead of incarceration A.

Not a warehouse. The professionals and staff are truly caring. No one is just a patient in search…read moreof recovery but a valued member of the community, including the families of the patients. They treat the patient medically and spiritually.

Went smoothly and quick thank you!!! The guy in there was super helpful by helping me take out bags…read moreof clothes :)

The midnight mission is by far of the best places Ive volunteered. The check-in structure was very…read moreeasy, we had a big group, and the actual work was very rewarding. Great work team