Get
Involved
You can invest in the future of young people impacted by homelessness in more ways than you might expect!
Volunteer and Empower
Young People
Volunteer on your own or with a group to make a difference in the lives of young people. Support their animal companions. Run a workshop. Assist with events. Host a collection drive. However you decide to contribute, volunteering your time makes a difference.
Other Ways to
Give
Empower young people by getting involved in any way that’s right for you. Shop for items that young people need, or give through other means.
Become A Welcome
Home Helper
When a young person moves into housing, Welcome Home Helpers help turn their new space into a true home by fulfilling a personalized wish list of essentials. You shop and we’ll make sure the items are delivered at move in.
The Corner
Collective
The Corner Collective offers young people impacted by homelessness an opportunity to build skills, express themselves through art, showcase their talents and artistry, and earn income. The art, clothing, accessories and homewares sold through The Corner Collective are made by the young people of My Friend's Place in onsite creative workshops and the young artists receive 100% of sales.
Contact us to host a Corner Collective Popup Shop or other ways you can get involved.
Corporate
Partnerships
We invite companies and local businesses to partner with us to support young people as they learn, grow, and take meaningful steps toward lives of greater stability. There are several ways for you to get involved:
- Sponsor an event
- Organize a volunteer team impact day
- Source and serve a special meal
- Host a clothing drive
- Run for Team MFP during the LA Marathon
- Take a tour of My Friend’s Place
- Underwrite one or more of our programs
To discuss partnering with us or to make an appointment to take a tour, please contact us.
Emerging
Leaders Council
The Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) is a passionate group of young professionals and community members dedicated to supporting young people’s exit from homelessness. If this sounds like you, get more information or apply to join this growing group of compassionate community builders by clicking the links below.
Partner With Us
We partner with organizations across LA County and beyond to bring resources and opportunities for young people to My Friend’s Place. From internships, field trips, employment training, and many other partnerships — these opportunities open doors that exponentially expand possibilities for young people.
We collaborate with a wide variety of aligned organizations that address the broad variety of needs of young people, including mental and physical health, creative expression, education and employment, and housing.
Contact us to see how we can work together.
Contact Us
We partner with universities and research organizations to participate in research that helps deepen and expand understanding of youth homelessness. To ensure research is respectful and youth-centered, we’ve established a set of guiding criteria. In addition to safeguards in place to protect and support young people, these principles prioritize young people’s voices, honor their time, and require fair compensation for their participation.
Contact us if you are interested in forming a research partnership.
Contact Us
Do you have a different type of partnership in mind? We’re open to innovative partnerships aimed at helping young people exit homelessness.
Connect with us to discuss your ideas.
Contact UsTo ensure we can provide the best care and support for the young people at My Friend’s Place, we welcome all partner providers, community supporters, and visitors to schedule an appointment before visiting. This helps us maintain a safe, focused, and welcoming environment for the young people while allowing us to connect with our partners in a meaningful way.
Insights and RESEARCH
See how we’re working with partners, volunteers, and others to help young people exit homelessness and our work with research partners to deepen understanding of youth homelessness.
In this inspiring video, Chef Shane Tavarez opens up about his incredible journey from My Friend’s Place to a meaningful cjourney in the culinary world. Watch as he shares how food became a way to honor his family, his community, and the memory of his late wife, Stephanie. Joined by Everytable’s Chef Tim Reardon, Shane prepares a holiday meal that’s rich in tradition, resilience, and purpose.
Read More
Drop-in centers are safe havens for youth experiencing homelessness. We examine drop-in centers within a positive youth development (PYD) framework to explore the role social connections with staff on the psychosocial development and stability of youth experiencing homelessness.
Serving my community is important to me. I learned about My Friend's Place from a professor and made a point to ask to volunteer. I was so impressed with MFP and how they are truly attuned to the needs of our young people that I requested to come back for my internship. MFP is a very special safe place where young people can be themselves. I am filled with joy seeing this community of young people connect, share life experiences, share meals together, learn more about themselves, create, shine, and be resilient."
Today
Invest in the power and potential of young people impacted by homelessness through a one-time or recurring gift. Your support helps provide a safe and stable refuge for young people as they work toward achieving their dreams.
