Meet Evie Shapiro of National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Evie Shapiro

Hi Evie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey to working in the nonprofit sector is an unlikely one. I spent most of my career in documentary television, working for shows like The Daily Show and Nat Geo Explorer. In 2017, I made the conscious decision to pivot to the nonprofit world, hoping my organizational and communications skills could be put to good use in helping others. Since then, I haven’t looked back – doing work that you know is improving the community and supporting people to have better lives is gratifying.

As the Chief Development Officer, I oversee NCJW|LA’s fundraising. Our team fosters and deepens relationships with donors, philanthropic partners, and corporate supporters. We also work closely with the retail team of our seven resale stores throughout Los Angeles – the Council Shops. The Council Shops are not your ordinary thrift stores – along with employing 90+ people with good wages and benefits, the money from the sales of the donated items goes directly toward supporting low-income, working women and their families, helping them to thrive, not simply survive. Buying your clothes from a Council Shop is the perfect way to look good, and do good.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I honestly love what I do, but there is always a sense that there is more need in the community than we can address. If you let yourself, you can be paralyzed by that. To center myself, I post above my desk this quote from the Talmud, the compilation of ancient Jewish teachings: “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” It reminds me that we all have a part to play, no matter how small, and if we all do what we can, real change will happen.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles (NCJW|LA) has been serving Los Angelenos for over 100 years, regardless of race, religion, or gender identity. Today, we focus on supporting low-income women and their families in Los Angeles and advocate for policies safeguarding women’s financial stability and prosperity. We are a woman-founded and led non-profit organization. Our programs provide support, direct cash, rental, and skill building assistance.

At the heart of NCJW|LA’s mission are the Council Shops, our seven resale stores throughout Los Angeles. These stores are catalysts for positive change by employing nearly 100 Los Angelenos and generating revenue to reinvest in community programs. So when you shop at a Council Shop, you’re not just getting great items at an unbeatable price but also helping support single, working mothers and their families.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ncjwla.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncjwla/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NCJWLosAngeles/

Image Credits
National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles