About Us
Our Mission
MEND’s programs serve two ends: to meet the immediate basic needs of people, and to help them build resources and skills to address and overcome long-term challenges that have kept them from thriving. Core services are provided by the Foodbank, Homeless Care Services and Clothing Center.
Deeper case managed services are offered through the Family Support & Pathways to Wellness Programs. Finally, we provide work experience, life skills and financial literacy classes and support services to enrolled clients.
Who We Serve
A majority of the individuals and families who come to MEND live in extreme poverty – some in unconverted garages, uninhabitable spaces, or vehicles. Still others live in apartments with multiple other families – one family per bedroom. Some are able to secure transitional housing or stay in a shelter, still others are completely unsheltered.
Applying the Public Health Service Act and HUD’s definitions of homelessness – which include lacking any fixed, stable shelter; living in conditions not fit for human habitation; and “doubling up” – almost 100% of our clients qualify as homeless.
Programs & Services
Homeless Care Services
Support about homeless 100 men and women every Tuesday, serving them a hot meal and providing them with food-to-go, change of clothing, hygiene items and referrals to our partners in housing & mental health.
The Clothing Center
Provides essentials, i.e. clothing for men, women
and children, underwear, socks, shoes, diapers, and hygiene products to thousands of homeless and/or severely low income families and individuals a year.
Emergency Foodbank
Continues to be the major point of entry for our clients. By distributing over 2.7MM lbs. of food in
2019, the Foodbank empowered families throughout LA County to prepare 2,279,958 healthy meals in their homes. In addition to pre-filled boxes of nutritious self-stable food, meats, eggs and
milk, the Foodbank also offers a no-cost bountiful farmers' market, Buen Provecho, where families can select the produce they need.
Pathways to Wellness
Serves those who report high food insecurity and elevated incidence of chronic disease (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc.). Through one-on-one & group guidance, the program helps families cultivate health habits leading to greater wellness. The clients who participate in our Pathways to Wellness group interventions such as fitness classes, nutrition education and cooking demonstrations are able to access free nutritious foods through our Little Healthy Market.
The Family Support Program
Works with clients who demonstrate highest need: those who have used our programs for years (even generations) and families with children at risk of homelessness. Staffed by two LCSWs and MSW student interns, families receive one-to-one coaching, actively co-creating plans and finding resources they need to thrive. The 8-month program uses a 19-point Self-Sufficiency Matrix which helps create a roadmap for families to move to their individual goals. MEND also provides work experience for about 500 clients a year; life skills workshops, including financial management & homebuyer classes, and support groups in wellness & mental health for 350 families a year