August 2025 SPY Report
Dear Friend,
We’re reflecting on the ways our community and staff continue to step up for young people experiencing homelessness. From extending our service hours to seven days a week, celebrating milestones, and strengthening partnerships, every moment builds hope and opportunity for our youth. We’re also asking for your support this month by making a gift to provide an additional 19,000 meals this year.
Meals That Matter
As summer comes to a close, many of us are reminiscing on the festivities of the season, going back-to-school shopping, and gearing up for the busy season ahead. However, for the majority of the young people we serve, their priorities look different: finding a safe place to sleep, a warm shower, or even simply their next meal. It’s nearly impossible to think about the future if you’re unsure of what the next moment will bring.
This is one of the reasons we’ve extended our hours to provide services seven days a week. Hunger isn’t part time, and with new hours, we plan on serving an additional 19,000 meals this year. Our goal is to ensure that no one has to choose between survival and their dreams. But, we can’t do this without your help. Every gift, no matter the size, provides nourishment and the fuel to propel our youth’s goals.
Supporting Unhoused College Students
At SPY, we support youth everywhere, and an often overlooked demographic are higher education students. In 2017, 1 in 5 LA community college students experienced homelessness and in 2024, UC and CSU students were not far behind. Homelessness doesn't always mean street-based living. For youth in school, it may mean months or years of couch surfing while struggling to find consistent housing. Just because it’s harder to see, doesn’t make it less urgent.
This month, our Housing Connections Team presented to 60 executives and department directors at UCLA. Our partnership with UCLA creates opportunities to support students who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. We’re thankful for this collaboration, and are excited to continue sharing our resources to young people who may be in need.
A Pathway Home: July
4 SPY members celebrated the transition to permanent housing this month!
Congratulations to SPY member, Kyle!
Kyle has officially moved into his own unit! As a previous foster youth, he faced struggles with homelessness alongside ongoing health challenges. Through it all, Kyle has stayed focused, determined, and never gave up on building the life we wanted for himself. Kyle, we are so inspired by you!
Back to School Support with SPY Squad
SPY is always seeking ways to give back to the community that has given us so much. Our youth advocacy board, SPY Squad, made up of young people experiencing homelessness, partnered with the Helper Foundation at Oakwood Park in Venice to distribute backpacks filled with school supplies to the community.
School supply shopping can become overwhelming and expensive, especially for families with multiple children. It’s particularly impactful that unhoused or housing-insecure youth are the ones leading this effort. These young people are not only resilient, but also deeply committed to giving back to the spaces they are a part of. Moments like these serve as a reminder that people experiencing homelessness share the same hopes for a safe, happy, and stable city.