L.A. Works

WHAT: Help Step Up residents plant, care for, and eat edible gardens. Step Up is a non-profit that provides permanent supportive housing to recently homeless adults, using the "Housing First" model.
ABOUT STEP UP: Step Up delivers compassionate support to people experiencing serious mental health issues, and persons who are experiencing chronic homelessness, to help them recover, stabilize, and integrate into the community. Through dynamic partnerships, we provide positive social and learning environments, vocational training, permanent supportive housing opportunities, and recovery services to empower individuals to cultivate lives of hope and dignity. We exercise innovative leadership and advocacy to increase public understanding, support, and acceptance of all people living with serious mental health issues. https://www.stepuponsecond.org/
VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES: Every second Saturday of the month, come have fun gardening with the resident Veterans. Volunteers assist Step Up residents in maintaining the edible gardens, planting seeds, building planters, weeding, harvesting, and maybe even playing some bocci ball.
IMPACT: This project helps residents gain a sense of ownership and investment, learn practical new skills, and provide opportunities for companionship and communication skills improvement.
REQUIREMENTS: 18 and older.
SPECIAL NOTES: Since residents are adjusting from homelessness and/or mental illness, some good practices are:
- to provide a listening ear instead of advice
- to respect their privacy by refraining from photos
- maintaining appropriate boundaries
- most importantly, HAVE FUN!
ACCESSIBILITY: L.A. Works firmly believes that we strengthen the social fabric of our community by involving all in service. If you feel you need accommodations to participate in this project please email us at info@laworks.com.
QUESTIONS? Email the Opportunity Leader below.
WANT TO SIGN UP? Select the date you want below and click the Sign Up button!
*This project is managed by L.A. Works for our nonprofit partner and is led by an L.A. Works Volunteer Project Leader. L.A. Works is a nonprofit, volunteer action center that creates and implements hands-on community service projects throughout the greater Los Angeles area.