People Who Care.
Care That Works.
Thanks to a strong alliance of community-based partners providing local health services, the number of drug overdose deaths in LA County is decreasing for the first time in a decade.
Meet some of the people who care deeply about the By LA For LA strategy—people who are making an impact and building stronger communities.
"We can identify because we’ve been there."
Rebecca is a peer navigator at HOPICS, which provides housing, homelessness, and harm reduction services in and around South Los Angeles. Her own lived experience of homelessness and substance use gives her unique insight into the clients she supports every day.
“What we do is meet people where they are. Whether they’re in need of water, food, rest, if they need supplies, if they need anything that has to do with reducing harm to oneself. They can be who they are, they’re not going to be judged. We embrace them with love and compassion. We let them know, ‘Hey, you’re not alone. You’re seen. We see you.’”
“Everyone comes together and helps everyone out.”
Patricia is a teacher’s aide from Whittier. Her daughter is supported by Bienestar in East Los Angeles.
“It’s hard for a mother to have her child out in the streets with drugs and not knowing what is put in the drugs. The fentanyl testing strips she comes for, and the Narcan, they save people’s lives. The staff at Bienestar are very sweet and kind. This is a safe place for people to come and eat, chat, be warm, take a nap. The center helps the community by keeping people out of the street, keeping them safe, and making them feel like family.”
“I feel like a new person.”
Fernando is in substance use recovery and is a regular visitor to the HOPICS health hub in South Los Angeles.
“This place has helped me so, so much. I don’t have words to express my gratitude. They’ve welcomed me with love and I’ve told them my life story. And it’s not easy for me to share that with just anyone. But I trust these people. And they trust me. And I earned back my family’s trust, and everyone else’s. Now I talk to everyone in society. Wherever I go, people smile at me. But before, it wasn’t like that. Before, they looked at me with fear. I was doing really bad. And now, honestly, I feel like I was reborn.”