April 2026 SPY Report
Hi Friend,
This month, we’re commemorating the accomplishments of SPY, our supporters, and our youth. In this SPY Report, we’re excited to invite you to our annual Evening of Inspiration Gala and Community Appreciation Event, and highlight youth stories.
join us at Spy’s evening of inspiration!
You’re invited! Celebrate SPY’s 15-Year Anniversary at our annual Evening of Inspiration! This milestone gala will reflect on SPY’s growth from a small group of volunteers offering basic necessities to youth on Venice Beach, to becoming an independent nonprofit serving over 1,200 unhoused youth across 9 sites each year.
Hosted at a private home in Beverly Hills on May 30th at 6:30pm, this event will bring our community together with youth performances, Michelin-starred food, and a special look into our 15 years of impact. As we celebrate our life-changing programs and raise funds for SPY’s mission, we’re excited to highlight our honorees, Timothy P. Whalen and Snap Inc., along with supporters like you who make our work possible.
We hope to see you there!
a pathway home: march
5 SPY youth exited to permanent housing in March! What an incredible accomplishment for our staff and our members.
Congratulations to SPY member Steven for moving into his new apartment!
Steven has engaged in a myriad of SPY’s services, including SPY Squad, our Garden Internship program, Case Management, and Drop-In Center resources. This year, Steven has taken initiative within SPY’s programs, and we’re incredibly proud of his journey to permanent housing.
Welcome home, Steven!
Celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month with SPY!
Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month! To recognize our incredible community members, we’re hosting an evening at The Waterfront on April 23rd at 6pm-8pm with food, drink, and a short ceremony honoring volunteers.
Community collaboration is at the core of SPY’s mission, and our work would not be possible without the volunteers who donate their time and energy to create a safe and supportive environment for our youth. Serving meals at our Drop-In Center, tending to our Community Garden, and working with SPY’s young people helps our members feel seen, reach their goals, and move toward independence.
Your compassion as a volunteer truly makes a difference, and we’re excited to celebrate your hard work and community impact!
Youth highlight: samantha
As Samantha was preparing to apply for colleges, she was also facing housing insecurity, a challenge that no young person should have to face alone. While living in a shelter, Samantha found SPY online. After connecting with our case managers, she received the necessary support to work toward stability. Through SPY’s Education & Employment program, Samantha received her first laptop to complete her college applications, and participated in SPY’s entrepreneurship program to define her version of success.
“The fact that someone was investing in me and my future meant so much to me. I never really had people do that. It made me feel special, like someone believed in me and the work that I was doing.” - Samantha, SPY Youth Member
Samantha is continuing to build the life she wants. Her dream is to start her own nonprofit that travels to farmer’s markets to provide services to families in need. Through her work at SPY, Samantha was able to realize her dreams, and most importantly, find the resources to pursue them.
Yearly, we share stories of SPY’s youth in our Annual Report, and the impact we’ve made on the city together.