Image of Sovern logo.
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"I was moved by how comfortable and safe I felt to be in my full expression at Sovern."
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Dear Sovern LA Community:
Thank you so much for helping families in need as a result of the LA Fires. As you know while we are in an extraordinary moment, we are living through burning times that will persist well beyond this week.
As we reflect on some of the ways we collectively respond in times of crisis, we are reminded of some of the lessons we’ve learned in other recent times:
We must learn from these experiences to find another way forward more sustainably.
Obviously we are not going to fix 500 years of oppressive systems in 1 week. We need to build intentional relationships and communities that can respond with collective care in an iterative and ongoing way. We need to take care of ourselves and take care in activist communities even as we orient towards taking care of others. We need to stay in the work far into the future.
As a community center in West Adams, we want to meet the needs of our local community and build lasting relationships. As such, we are focusing our operations and making space to move back towards our mission.
This week we will be resuming our usual hours of operation from Tuesday through Friday, 10 am - 2 pm. During this time FAMILIES IN DIRECT NEED can come pick up the following items:
We are currently at physical capacity and do not need any of these items. To stay on top of the latest needs, we will be putting out requests via IG stories and dated/timestamped posts. We will also be reaching out to donation centers and larger intermediaries to replenish items and fulfill direct requests as needed.
Sovern is so grateful for the way our community has jumped into action in recent days, and it’s a testament to our collective heart and resilience. Thank you. We will continue connecting with those who expressed an ongoing interest in this part of our work, and we are ensuring that every contribution is used as effectively as possible.
For those wishing to volunteer, please sign up here.
Thank you so much for helping families in need as a result of the LA Fires. As you know while we are in an extraordinary moment, we are living through burning times that will persist well beyond this week.
As we reflect on some of the ways we collectively respond in times of crisis, we are reminded of some of the lessons we’ve learned in other recent times:
- Energy is high at the start and tends to wane; people experience burnout.
- Providing food, water, shelter, and clothing to meet basic needs feels urgent and critical. People want to help, and these feel like manageable, tactical, practical things we can do.
- We jump in, and are willing to do anything needed – even if we don’t quite know what is needed yet.
- It’s easy to get lost in shuffling supplies from center to center without them easily reaching the recipients who need them.
- We’re so used to the way the world works and reliant on the systems as they exist and operate.
- We respond with capitalism, while corporations profit off of our material concerns without doing their own part.
We must learn from these experiences to find another way forward more sustainably.
Obviously we are not going to fix 500 years of oppressive systems in 1 week. We need to build intentional relationships and communities that can respond with collective care in an iterative and ongoing way. We need to take care of ourselves and take care in activist communities even as we orient towards taking care of others. We need to stay in the work far into the future.
As a community center in West Adams, we want to meet the needs of our local community and build lasting relationships. As such, we are focusing our operations and making space to move back towards our mission.
This week we will be resuming our usual hours of operation from Tuesday through Friday, 10 am - 2 pm. During this time FAMILIES IN DIRECT NEED can come pick up the following items:
- supplies for the care of infants, toddlers, and children
- snack, clothing, and bedding for infants, toddlers, and children;
- maternal health;
- and menstrual hygiene.
We are currently at physical capacity and do not need any of these items. To stay on top of the latest needs, we will be putting out requests via IG stories and dated/timestamped posts. We will also be reaching out to donation centers and larger intermediaries to replenish items and fulfill direct requests as needed.
Sovern is so grateful for the way our community has jumped into action in recent days, and it’s a testament to our collective heart and resilience. Thank you. We will continue connecting with those who expressed an ongoing interest in this part of our work, and we are ensuring that every contribution is used as effectively as possible.
For those wishing to volunteer, please sign up here.
