Today we’d like to introduce you to John Shinavier.
Thanks for sharing your story with us John. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always volunteered usually once a week. In the beginning, it was at Project Angelfood. I liked to volunteer for several reasons; I liked helping others. It took my attention off of myself and I always meet some wonderful people. I tried to get my friends involved in volunteering, but they always seemed to be afraid of it, and the time that it took out of their own lives. One day I was driving down Mission thinking about what I could do more off and on my own time, I took a wrong turn and ended up under the 6th St. bridge. I looked around this desolate area and saw that people (homeless) had dug caves into the hard clay that was under the bridge and that they were living there, it was at that moment I realized that these people could use some food. I looked up and saw the outline of one of the towers of the bridge and the name came to me; “Under the Bridges and on the Streets”, a not for profit program that would serve people on the streets and wherever they lived.
Mother Theresa, I’m not, but I figure the way the world seems to be going backward, I’m finding that along with the indigent there are more and more men and women that are out there in our city parks sitting on their suitcases, when just days before they were living in a house and making lunch for their children. They can use a hand, and I can feed them and put them in touch with agencies to get off the street. It’s something that I’m passionate about.
Presently, I have a list of approximately 400 volunteers which on average forty or sixty will show up on the days that we make and deliver food, blankets, clothing and sanitary items. We have an active board and are applying for grants. We have a good name in this city and have been active since 1993.
I love what I do and I don’t get paid for it.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The struggles have been and continue to be raising money. Since no one receives a salary, eighty percent of what we receive from donors goes directly to supplies for the homeless. The rest goes for insurance. People, as a rule, think that the homeless are dangerous. Much of my work is that of an educator. Neither myself or any of the volunteers have been harmed or threatened by anyone living in the street. Sure, some of them smell and some of them use drugs, but in the end when your kind to them, they are very grateful. None of them are proud of how they ended up where they are. Being kind doesn’t cost anything.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about “Under the Bridges and on the Streets” – what should we know?
We serve the homeless where they live in Los Angeles County. We have eight routes in which volunteers take lunches, clothes, sanitary items and blankets to where people are living. Some other people are doing it in smaller ways, but we have been doing it consistently since 1993. At times when the organization is flush, we were able to provide over a thousand meals a month. Other times, only 500 meals, but we do it with an awareness of the heart once a month or four times a month. We are not affiliated with any religion.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Kindness and the ability to accept people where they’re at without judgment.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2261 W. 28th St, Los Angeles, CA., 90018
- Website: www.underthebridgesandonthestreets.org
- Phone: 310-402-3130
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnderTheBridges/
