MEET JUAN

EVERY THURSDAY MORNING,
Juan greets our volunteers with a gentle smile and a heartfelt “thank you.” His kindness touches everyone he meets at MEND, where he’s been coming for essential support for the past year and a half. At 45, life hasn’t been easy—he and his wife currently live in their vehicle in Pacoima—but his spirit remains unbroken. "MEND helps me with getting something to eat," he says simply. Each week, Juan receives ready-to-eat meals through our First Step service, a vital lifeline for those who are homeless. His weathered face, aged beyond his years by an autoimmune condition and years of outdoor work, brightens when he receives fresh clothing and hygiene items from our Homeless Bundles. But Juan isn’t just surviving—he’s working toward a better future. Despite the challenges of part-time work, he’s determined to find stability. Recently, he attended MEND’s job fair and worked with our staff to obtain his ITIN number, a critical step toward employment and self-sufficiency. "My life has gotten better since coming to MEND," he shares. With your support, he’s found not just relief, but a pathway forward—access to food, essentials, and opportunities that bring hope for the future. Juan’s story is at the heart of MEND’s mission: providing not just immediate relief, but real pathways to lasting change. With your generosity, more people like Juan can move from hardship to hope, gaining the tools they need to build a better tomorrow.

Thank you for opening doors for people like Juan.