The Wayfarer Foundation

On this day for the last six years, thousands of volunteers from Wayfarer Foundation and the community on Skid Row have come together to lighten the load for one another through performing thousands of acts of service, dancing, singing, and building life-changing connections during the street-wide celebration #CarnivalofLove. (Check out the hashtag for photos of the event in years past!) While the Carnival of Love was not possible this year due to safety guidelines, that has...n’t stopped those of us at Wayfarer Foundation from finding ways to continue to give back to our community. The Carnival of Love was always more than an event. Then and now, we commit to carry the spirit of service in our hearts and seek to always act through love and unity. And we still need YOU to help us keep the love going! HOW TO HELP There are so many ways to help our unhoused neighbors that extend beyond one day of service. Consider a few suggestions from our team at the Wayfarer Foundation for how to get started: EDUCATE - Learn about the obstacles facing those who are unhoused. Listen to their stories. Digest this knowledge and spread it to those around you via social media or in conversation with your neighbors, friends, and co-workers. ADVOCATE - Speak up for your unhoused neighbors. Get involved at a local level in your communities and use your voice and privilege to bring awareness to the housing crisis. MENTOR - Train to become a 1:1 Peer Mentor with Wayfarer Foundation and help a neighbor transition from unhoused to housed. ENCOURAGE - Tell your friends, co-workers, and family to volunteer or ask if they can help provide financial support to those in need. (Our link to the Wayfarer Foundation GoFundMe is in our bio.) SHARE - Proudly wear your ‘Be Love’ hats and t-shirts, and spark conversations with your peers when they ask what your clothing stands for. Tell your friends the stories of those on Skid Row and bring them along with you on your journey to spread love. Head to https://www.wayfarerstudios.com/foundation/ for more information to join the #BeLove community at Wayfarer, and help us keep the love going in 2021 and beyond!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a national holiday and day of service that encourages Americans to volunteer to improve, strengthen, and better their communities. We’ve highlighted two nonprofit organizations that are focused on doing just that-- from our local communities to a national level. Check out the links below to learn more about the work these incredible organizations are doing. The King Center was established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King to help further Dr. Kin...g’s legacy and teachings of nonviolent social change and build the #BelovedCommunity. From providing nonviolence education and training, to hosting community conversations and a world-wide Teach-In, The King Center continues to be a shining example of hope, progress, and compassion. Learn more about the King Center: https://thekingcenter.org/ Engage The Vision is a mentorship program for at-risk youth in Southern California. Through consistent weekly mentoring with positive, compassionate, and responsible adults, ETV encourages and empowers inner-city youth and their families to help build strong, sufficient, and safe communities. Learn more about Engage the Vision: https://engagethevision.org/

While Martin Luther King Jr. Day is considered a day off for many, we like to think of it as a day on. MLK Day is the only federal holiday that is considered a national day of service, encouraging people to volunteer or affect change in their communities. Like MLK, we hold service and community as in important pillar and we hope to encourage you to be a light to others by being involved locally. What are ways you’re involved with your community? Let us know in the comments

Your friendly reminder to #BeLove

Missing the Skid Row Carnival of Love a little extra today, but it’s photos like this that remind us of the joy and love we can bring one another every day Conner Coughenour

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has made big strides in helping people go from unhoused to housed. They work to build effective housing systems for those in need. We are grateful for their work