SUMMIT IMPACT INITIATIVE:
What does it mean to have a home?
At Summit, “home” is central to how we understand community. And safe, available housing is the first step to creating or recovering a home.
Homelessness, often termed “houselessness” by advocates in the field, is at an all time high in cities across the United States. Los Angeles alone has seen a 12% increase in houselessness since 2018. Skid Row, sitting right at the heart of DTLA, has one of the highest density populations of houseless individuals in the country (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, June 2019).
In 2017 and 2018, Summit featured programming with LA Community Action Network (LA CAN), Venice Community Housing, Homies Unidos, and the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles to bring awareness to the complex issues facing this area.
Most recently in 2019, Summit partnered with LA CAN, SRO Housing, and Operation School Bell to bring awareness, funding, and other resources to both new and proven solutions for houselessness in LA.
LA CAN
Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN) works to advance housing rights through coalition building, community-lawyering projects, policy research and advocacy, and more.
In 2017 and 2018, we partnered with LA CAN to host educational conversations on campus. And during LA19, LA CAN hosted Summiters on-site for an incredible evening of storytelling and performances from Skid Row residents, and discussions on housing solutions.
Giving Back with SRO Housing
SRO Housing provides emergency shelter, meals, and support services for those who need it most.
At LA19 we asked Summiters to join a giving campaign, and help people in DTLA take the first step towards greater care and support.
You can still join the call and donate before the end of the year.
Operation School Bell
Operation School Bell (OSB) provides 5,000+ underserved elementary-age students new school clothes and supplies.
During LA19 registration, we collected boxes of donations for school supplies and childrens books.