Our History
WHO WE ARE
MEND—Meet Each Need with Dignity—was founded in 1971 by Ed and Carolyn Rose, a young couple moved by the poverty they witnessed in the San Fernando Valley. With
support from their church community at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, they began collecting and distributing food, clothing, and furniture to local families in need. As word spread, other
families joined the effort, and together they began calling themselves MEND—Meet Each Need with Dignity.
In 1976, MEND was formally established as a nonprofit organization. By the mid-1980s, it had found its permanent home in Pacoima, where MEND continues to serve the community today.
OUR MISSION
With dignity & respect, MEND's mission is to meet the immediate needs of individuals and families and strengthen their capacity to thrive.
For more than half a century, MEND has served as a lifeline for the most vulnerable families, individuals, and seniors, offering services rooted in dignity and respect. What began in a modest
Valley garage has grown into a cornerstone of the San Fernando Valley community, supporting thousands with crisis services and long-term intensive case management.
Our services include the Community Nourishment Programs that provide weekly, choice-driven access to fresh produce and nutritious pantry staples to 32,000 unduplicated people annually; Here
We Thrive case management services offering Pathways to Wellness, Enhanced Care Management and Gateways Employment Services; and Hope and Care support delivering emotional/mental wellness
services, First Step services for the homeless, social service navigation & connections, and assistance with essentials. Through efforts like the United Mental Health Promoters
(UMHP), MEND continues to expand access to culturally responsive mental health care across the community. MEND is open to all people, fostering an inclusive, welcoming & caring
environment where everyone feels seen and valued.
WHO WE SERVE
Many individuals and families who come to MEND face deep poverty and housing insecurity—living in overcrowded apartments, converted garages, shelters, or without shelter altogether. By definitions from HUD and the Public Health Service Act, nearly all of our clients experience some form of homelessness or unstable living conditions. These challenges often go hand in hand with food insecurity, health issues, and limited access to resources.
MEND responds with compassion and care, offering both immediate relief and long-term support through programs like First Step, Community Nourishment, Pathways, Gateways, and Hope & Care. Our goal is to help individuals and families stabilize their lives, access critical services, and move forward with dignity and hope.
TIMELINE
1971
MEND is founded by Ed and Carolyn Rose, in their garage to help meet the needs of individuals in the San Fernando Valley. They are joined by 21 individuals from four local churches and together they establish food pantries out of three of the family's garages. The Christmas program is created.
1972
First office space, a desk in an LA County building, is opened to reach individuals in need.
1976
MEND becomes a Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
1982
As MEND expands, operations move to a small warehouse in Pacoima. MEND collaborates with Neighborhood Legal Services and other agencies to assist clients with various issues.
1985
First capital campaign is successful in raising $90,000 as down payment on MEND's first building.
1987
Renovation of building is underway. First paid staff member and Executive Director come aboard.
1988
Renovated MEND center officially opens.
1991
Expanded services to offer free medical and dental services.
1992
Computer lab is opened for English learning and job training assistance programs.
1993
Second capital campaign is planned to add an additional 10,000 square feet to the building and purchase two parcels of land.
2001
MEND celebrates its 30th anniversary with a gala silent auction and dinner at the Skirball Center attended by the Mayor. Vision services begin.
2007
New building opens to house an intake department, food bank, clothing center, and health clinics on San Fernando Road.
2009
Partnerships with local colleges and universities offer internship opportunities to students and help serve the community.
2012
MEND is named California Volunteering & Service Award -Non-Profit of the year by Governor Brown.
2018
MEND launches Family Support Program, a case management service, to provide tools and resources to help families to build self-sufficiency and disrupt cycles of generational poverty.
2019
Buen Provecho Farmers' Market opens to provide abundant fresh produce to clients at no cost. In the same year, Pathways to Wellness Program to help clients achieve greater health outcomes through better nutrition and exercise. Soon after, The Little Health market, a specialty “store” stocked with healthy alternatives opens to support participants in the program.