Difference Makers

List of 3 news stories.

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  "Addressing Homelessness" - Final Difference Makers Event of the Year

  4/19/2019
  On Monday, we wrapped up this year’s Difference Makers series on the topic of, “Addressing Homelessness,” by welcoming a team from Food on Foot:
  
  

  “Food on Foot is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the poor and homeless of Los Angeles through programs that provide nutritious meals, clothing, work opportunities and ultimately the transition to full-time employment and life off the streets.”
  
  

  Berkeley Hall’s Director of Communications, Lisa Taylor, moderated a discussion with Food on Foot Founder Jay Goldinger, and Program Director Kelsie Deppen. We saw a video of one of their many success stories – a man who once experienced homelessness, and with their help, is now working full-time and happily living in his own home.
  
  

  A highlight of the event was hearing from our own 8^th grade student Difference Maker, Katie B., who, along with her parents, has been a regular volunteer at Food on Foot for several years. It was wonderful to hear Katie relay her experiences working with the organization and we are so proud of her! Thank you to mom, Sasha, for helping to arrange this week’s event, and to Sasha and Katie’s dad, Brad, for being such great examples and Difference Makers, too!
  
  

  Please visit www.foodonfoot.org for more information on this wonderful organization.
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  Difference Makers at Hope of the Valley

  2/22/2019
  The focus this year in our Difference Makers Series is Addressing Homelessness. In this second event in our series, we heard from Jonathan Leeper of Hope of The Valley Rescue Mission. Their mission is to attract people and resources to assist in the effort of meeting the needs of every hungry and homeless man, woman, and child in the greater Los Angeles area. Through strategic partnerships and services, they empower their clients (who they refer to as guests) with the faith, knowledge, resources and skills to lead a life of wholeness and self-sufficiency.
  
  In the first event of this series, we learned all about the homeless situation in Los Angeles and about supportive housing. And in our last event in this series, we will focus on feeding the homeless and get perspective from an organization called Food on Foot.
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  Difference Makers Series Addresses Homelessness

  11/7/2018
  This year the topic of the Difference Makers Series is Addressing Homelessness. As we all know, there are many people who currently are living without homes. This past Monday, we learned more about who those people are, how they came to find themselves homeless, and some of what is being done to help them. We welcomed three very special guests:

  • Carla Hall, a Los Angeles Times editorial board member who writes extensively about homelessness, among other topics.

  • Natalia Torregrosa, Community Engagement and Programs Coordinator at LA Family Housing, which helps people transition out of homelessness and poverty through a continuum of housing enriched with supportive services.

  • Emily Martiniuk, a resident at LA Family Housing’s Palo Verde Apartments who lived without a home for several years.

  Cala Hall gave us an overview of the homelss situation in Los Angeles. Natalia Torregrosa explained supportive housing and the work that LA Family Housing does. Emily Martiniuk told us her story, and about how her life has turned around, thanks to supportive housing.
  
  The students asked wonderfully relevant and compassionate questions of the guests. Way to go, future Difference Makers!
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