Safe Housing for Foster Youth (Updated)
Over the years, this community has continued to show up for The RightWay Foundation. Today I have my biggest ask yet, and while I’d certainly be grateful for help from anyone who is in a position to give it, I’m focusing this request towards brands and brand managers specifically:
Help RightWay get 20 homeless, transition-age foster youth off the streets and into SAFE apartments by donating the following new items (allowing the organization to then direct their limited funds towards essentials such as food, mental health care, rent assistance and job placement).
These wonderful youth are constantly being pushed towards negative outcomes due to broken systems. Not only have they lost their jobs due to the pandemic, but they’ve ended up homeless in places that are dangerous (particularly for the women), and they’re enduring ongoing, relentless emotional (and often physical) trauma and discrimination.
You have inventory that they need. You can assist in providing them with a livable space to call home, equipped with the tools needed for a healthy life. (Please contact me to donate.)
Items needed (for 10 apartments for 20 youth):
Mattresses + Beds
Pillows
Bedding
Towels
Cleaning supplies
Cooking supplies (pots, pans, etc)
Dishtowels + oven mitts
Drinkware
Dishware
Flatware
Food storage containers
Table + chairs
Sofa + coffee table
First aid kits
Ironing set
Trash + recycling bins
Rugs
Lamps
Reusable shopping bags
Reusable water bottle
Reusable travel mug
Plants + planters + watering can
Original post from June 1:
In recent days, it has become clear that it’s time for my tiny business to press pause on sharing our story, thus decluttering social media feeds and opening up more space for Black stories to be heard. But it is also important for me to use my channels to amplify the social justice, environmental justice, community and creative work of others.
One such organization is The RightWay Foundation. This marvelous nonprofit works closely with emancipated foster and re-entry Youth to ensure housing and job resources in a trauma-informed environment. Over 50% of the homeless and incarcerated of Los Angeles have been impacted by the Foster Care System. These Youth, who lacked a strong and stable support system throughout their lives, deserve better.
Readers of this blog and our corresponding Instagram account helped us raise $1,000 for RightWay on my birthday, for which I thank you sincerely. That money helped RightWay kick off its Operation Housing First campaign, an initiative to secure safe housing for 20 homeless, transition-age foster youth during the backdrop of this challenging pandemic.
All people should have access to safe and affordable housing, and thanks in part to your contributions, Operation Housing First will be placing its first youth in new apartments this month. (And if you are interested in contributing now, funds are still needed to secure safe housing for more Youth.)
For those who’d like to learn more, RightWay’s Founder Franco Vega and Senator Holly J. Mitchell recently recorded an in-depth conversation during Senator Mitchell’s weekly “Sippin’ my Tea” live Facebook segment, during which they discussed the current needs of transition-aged youth, joint efforts from community partners and the collective impact we as a community can have on national policy. (Click here to view.)
The RightWay Story
In 2011, Franco Vega, a former orphan and probation youth, founded The RightWay Foundation to provide LA County transition-age foster youth (ages 18-26) with support and training to acquire and maintain employment. In recognition of the unresolved trauma creating barriers to job retention, Franco pioneered a program to address past trauma and support successful employment by integrating mental health with employment services. Now in its 9th year, RightWay has served as a lifeline for hundreds of foster youth in LA County, and continues to develop effective programs for transition-age youth.
