A Passion Project Idea for the Summer of 2017 - "An Afternoon of Care"
The Background...
Every quarter, one of us members of The New Hollywood has a chance to win $500 to put towards a "charity challenge" that speaks to our hearts and makes a difference in the community. Here are some of the prior TNH Charity Challenges that other members have done.
I won the $500 this quarter and I've decided to create this private page with my initial idea..
The Inspiration...
I love dogs and have been involved in different projects benefitting them as I'm passionate about their quality of life and well-being. By trade I am a speaker, and my 2nd TEDxTalk is...about dogs :-)
I am especially touched when I see a homeless person with their dog...I love the bond of unconditional love those pups gift us.
I was talking to Wellington's vet who, when he was still living in Illinois, helped one of the local shelters welcome the people WITH their pets. Our awesome vet said that often times people will stay in a challenging situation, or even end up on the streets, because of not wanting to be separated from their dogs, and that most shelters do not accept people with their dogs (evidently only 3% of US shelters allow people with their dogs?!!).
Every quarter, one of us members of The New Hollywood has a chance to win $500 to put towards a "charity challenge" that speaks to our hearts and makes a difference in the community. Here are some of the prior TNH Charity Challenges that other members have done.
I won the $500 this quarter and I've decided to create this private page with my initial idea..
The Inspiration...
I love dogs and have been involved in different projects benefitting them as I'm passionate about their quality of life and well-being. By trade I am a speaker, and my 2nd TEDxTalk is...about dogs :-)
I am especially touched when I see a homeless person with their dog...I love the bond of unconditional love those pups gift us.
I was talking to Wellington's vet who, when he was still living in Illinois, helped one of the local shelters welcome the people WITH their pets. Our awesome vet said that often times people will stay in a challenging situation, or even end up on the streets, because of not wanting to be separated from their dogs, and that most shelters do not accept people with their dogs (evidently only 3% of US shelters allow people with their dogs?!!).
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The Why...
I know that if I were ever homeless, I would give any food I had to my dog Wellington first before eating it myself.. During the holidays, I go around and give wrapped gifts to the homeless (sweaters, food, blankets..) and throughout the year, when I do a random act of kindness, it usually involves food or bedding for a homeless pup. This past year I added doggie-food and doggie-blankets doggie-shampoo during the holidays as well. What I See Possible... While I am aware that creating a shelter for men and women and their dogs here in LA is a big picture idea that may take some time, what I envision between now and the end of June 2017, is organizing a simple "afternoon of care" for L.A. homeless dogs & their owners, where vendors could provide complimentary mobile grooming, food, beds, vet check ups etc... (all our pup-loving friends such as you, could contribute as they wish). |
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Your thoughts...
Do you like the idea? Do you think it's a viable? Do you think I should add/tweak anything? Do you know anyone who would like to contribute any services and/or goods? I could create flyers that I would hand out near the area where this would take place ( TBD: Skidrow? Downtown LA? Pasadena? The Sepulveda basin?), and I would pass out those flyers a day or so before the "afternoon of care", so the local homeless folks would know where to go with their pups. Thoughts? 
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PS:
I need to report back to the members of The New Hollywood, by our July meeting, with what project I created with the $500 I won. So long as this happens by the end of June, beginning of July, we are golden!
Ideally I'd like to see this not as a one time thing, but as the beginning of something that could be done quarterly if possible…
...Planting the seed and seeing how it grows :-) I am open to your thoughts - [email protected] - 310-625-7462
I need to report back to the members of The New Hollywood, by our July meeting, with what project I created with the $500 I won. So long as this happens by the end of June, beginning of July, we are golden!
Ideally I'd like to see this not as a one time thing, but as the beginning of something that could be done quarterly if possible…
...Planting the seed and seeing how it grows :-) I am open to your thoughts - [email protected] - 310-625-7462
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PS2:
These are the 2 local organizations I found that are already doing something along these lines here in L.A., so perhaps a partnership of sorts with one of them? 1) downtowndogrescue.org/programs/serving-skid-row-with-inner-city-law-center/ 2) https://www.petsofthehomeless.org/get-help/: This is their video -----> In one of their articles, they write: “3.5 million Americans are homeless. Between 5 and 10 percent of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. In some areas of the country, the rate is as high as 24 percent. During the holiday season, cold winter weather and loss of hope during a time of giving pose additional hardships for the homeless population. And for their pets living on the street, they will need the extra calories from food during the winter months to keep warm. [...] |
[…] For homeless people with pets, many are forced to choose between their pet or a roof over their head. These pets are non judgmental, provide love, comfort and an emotional bond of loyalty. In some cases, they provide the homeless with protection and also keep them warm. During the holidays, giving human food to local food banks is great, but remember that Fido and Kitty need assistance too.”
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