Today we’d like to introduce you to Audra Wise.
Hi Audra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been helping the unhoused community in LA for decades but on a small once-a-month level. After seeing Meghan Markle “hit the ground running” in her work with the Royal Family, I was so inspired by that and everything she was doing that I decided I could absolutely do more charity work and volunteer whenever possible.
I was volunteering so often that I decided to save up for a thrift store that would serve the community on a much larger scale while promoting reusing and recycling. I called it Community Thrift LA. Then Covid hit and crushed my dream but not my spirit of giving back. I knew that if Covid hit me financially hard that the unhoused community and less fortunate people would really suffer the most as most organizations started to shut down. These are people that were used to seeing me with donations in hand and I wasn’t going to disappear on them, especially the kids.
That’s when I decided to really step up my efforts which led to me picking up donations curbside. I got an overwhelming response. After separating donations, making sure all items were in great clean condition, I’d drop off the donations to unhoused veterans, unhoused people on Skid Row and to families around LA at least three times a week. I did all of the work myself and for free. I was now a free mobile thrift store!
I started asking my followers to donate money so I could buy food, water, necessities, toiletries, etc. I got $5 and $20 here and there and I used 100% of the money to give to my unhoused and less fortunate friends in the community, yes, I consider them my friends now. Alyssa Milano read one of my emails asking for solar-powered chargers for the unhoused veterans. She stepped in and bought a bunch for them – was so incredible to get such a generous donation.
People started donating computers and I was able to give those to kids that were now studying online and a veteran that was in a back to work program. I got tvs, bed frames, tables, housewares, etc. It started to grow bigger than I’d expected. I never turned down a donation or turned down a request when people were in need of donations. Again, I was doing the work by myself so my daughter stepped in to help here and there. I do a lot out of pocket so I decided that I’m going to start a non-profit and hopefully that will renew my dream of opening a Community Thrift LA store.
I do a Christmas Toy Drive every year for the kids on Skid Row and it has to be the highlight of my life. I love those kids so much and they are what keeps me coming back. I encourage them to see the possibilities and I always show up as the person I needed when I was little. What words would’ve made an impact on me? A kind face and compassion can change someone’s life. This is a huge responsibility that I don’t take lightly.
My giving has become my church. It’s where I find joy, hope and know that there are truly angels on earth that are testing our faith because how can we ask our Creator for anything if we can’t give back to those in need? I treat my unhoused friends the same way I treat the celebrities I work with – they are all humans. I live my life like I want to be remembered when I’m gone. I don’t want to be remembered for the clothes I put on my back but for the clothes, I put on the backs of others. I don’t want to be remembered for my selfies but for my selflessness – although I do like some fun selfies with my homeless friends! I’m not rich in the financial sense but I feel truly rich when I’m looking into someone’s eyes and handing them something they need. When they say, “Thank you for thinking of us. God bless you” – that’s really all I need to keep giving more.
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?
It’s never smooth but I try to make it look like it is. It’s physically challenging to drive to each home and pick up heavy bags of clothes and other donations and put them into my car then carry them up and down stairs. To separate them carefully and to wash some items myself. Some people would donate things with holes, stains, odors, etc, so I had to start making guidelines for donations… I handle every single donation and I don’t want to touch items that are in poor condition and more importantly, I would never hand out items in less than good to great condition. It’s an extra step but I pride myself on folding the clothing. It really doesn’t stay folded when people start to go through the items but I just like to know that I put love into each item with my heart and hands.
All of the driving time, gas and out of pocket expenses are all on me and it’s 100% volunteering but I honestly didn’t feel like it was going to grow as quickly as it did. For that I’m grateful! Sometimes I’m tired and I’ll get a call with donations and for a second, I think I just don’t have the energy but then I think of the people those donations will help so I say “yes” and get in my car to pick them up. My car is always filled with donations which I consider a blessing.
I recently had an accident so I can’t lift heavy items but I’m still collecting items that I can manage and delivering when I can. Probably a good time for me to rest a bit so I can get reenergized for the community in need.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I grew up really poor. I didn’t have a lot of confidence or hope. My nickname was “ugly”. I came across a hard bridge to cross but was inspired by a stranger that gave me my wings and confidence. After crossing the bridge, I thought anything was possible. I went to a charm and modeling school where I learned good manners, proper posture, how to walk and eat like a lady haha. Then I started doing modeling shows and was in catalogues. I loved martial arts and boxing, taught me self-control, and that led me to doing some stunt work when someone was looking for a Native American Stunt woman. I was fearless. Of course, that led to acting and soon after, I was in Hollywood.
Unfortunately, Hollywood only saw me as a Native American stereotype which was a very difficult thing to come to terms with so I’d take any job as long as it didn’t require buckskin, feathers and broken English. I’m an activist and advocate for Native American rights and people. I’m still fighting decades later for us to be seen as humans in a modern world.
I took a hiatus from acting because of the stereotypes and to most importantly focus, as a single parent, on raising my daughter. She graduated from USC and I’m the most proud of being her mother. Motherhood by far has been the best job I’ve ever had and the most rewarding.
I’m now acting again as Natives are finally breaking through Hollywood in non-stereotypical roles. I’m also producing films which has been an incredible experience. We each have so many stories to tell and I’m enjoying the process of writing again, getting a cast together, finding directors, looking for financing, etc. It’s a great time to be Native American in Hollywood – thrilled at the possibilities! I suppose I specialize in always carving new roads. Who doesn’t love an adventure?
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I believe strongly in supporting people when they make breakthroughs in their careers. There’s room for all of us to succeed. There should never be jealousy. I’ve found that the more supportive you are of others, the more supportive they’ll be of you.
I don’t have a personal business mentor. I reached out to various people and organizations over the years but they wanted to charge me for it and I didn’t have the budget to justify it unfortunately. I do have a group of wonderful friends that cheer me on and if they can offer advice, I happily accept it. I love motivational podcasts too. There is an endless education from business and spiritual leaders online. We need to use this technology to our advantage daily.
I really look to people that are doing the work I want to do and I study their blueprint. Like Meghan Markle, I saw the incredible and inventive work she was doing with her charity work and how effortless she made it look. I studied how she approached it and came up with a plan based on what I wanted to do in my own charity work. She continually inspires me. I love that she focuses on smaller charities and helps give them a much-needed spotlight. I see where I can improve but I never pressure myself to keep up with the charities that keep growing bigger and bigger. I know what I’m comfortable with and what I can manage so I’m happy to grow within my own backyard for now. Never get in over your head by trying to grow too fast. You will burn out quickly so do what you love and do what brings you the most joy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Communitythriftla
