Kyla is Running to End Youth Homelessness!

Hello friends & family:

As many of you know, I have been passionate about ending homelessness since moving back to Los Angeles in 2014 and seeing up close what a massive humanitarian crisis this city is facing. 

I first heard of My Friend's Place while living in Hollywood around the corner from their resource center. They offer comprehensive services to nearly 1,400 homeless youth between the ages of 12 and 25 and their children each year. They help support these youth with health care, safety, crisis care, housing case management, education, employment, parenting, meals, clothing, and activities such as creative arts. I wanted to get involved, so I volunteered at one of their clothing donation sorting nights.  I then threw a pancake breakfast where I had the chance to meet a lot of the participants. I also had the chance to attend an arts & crafts benefit, where I bought a very cool framed photo set with images that still remind me of living in Hollywood. I was incredibly impressed with the talent and selflessness of the MFP staff that I met on all of these occasions. I was also very impressed with the youth themselves - despite the hardships they have gone through, their potential shines so brightly, and reminds you that the best way to prevent adult homelessness in the future will be to end youth homelessness now. I wanted to keep volunteering, but then COVID happened. 

 As a former track & cross-country participant (high school JV...), I have been a "runner" for a long time, but was always afraid of signing up for a marathon. It seemed impossible! Like many people, I had a lot more free time during the pandemic to pursue hobbies, and I started running a lot more, building up to longer runs than I had ever done. I went through one hip injury that took me down briefly in the fall, but built right back up (with better shoes) after recovering. Once I was able to do 10 miles comfortably, I started to feel more confident in my ability to run 26.2 miles (uncomfortably). When I saw that MFP had a marathon team, I thought, this is the perfect way to get involved with MFP again - and the perfect motivation to ensure that I get to that finish line.

A little more information about youth homelessness:

• More than 4,000 young people experience homelessness on any given night in Los Angeles.
• 25 percent of former foster youth nationwide reported that they had been homeless at least one night within two-and-a-half to four years after exiting foster care.
• It is estimated that 100,000 children are victims of commercial sexual exploitation each year.  Homeless and runaway youth are the most vulnerable population.
• 40 percent of the runaway and homeless youth population identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) as compared to 10 percent in the general population.
• About 25 percent of the homeless population has a serious mental illness, including chronic depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Thank you for your love and support - this is such an important cause and will make a significant and immediate difference in the lives of homeless youth in Los Angeles. 

Love,

Kyla