Alone on Christmas in LA and looking to volunteer. Any ideas?

[Smashcut]

Since I just moved and don't have any close friends here... I figured I might volunteer tomorrow instead of just staying home or going to a movie.

Anyone from the area (or not) have ideas? I'm posting this in GLBT since I'm gay and figured the community would be a good place to start. Let me know if I should post elsewhere since I'm new to DU also. ;)

Thanks all and happy holidays!

[FreeState]

1. What part of LA?

Heres a good place to start... there are lots of homeless GLBT youth that Im sure would love to feel noticed this holiday season...

http://www.lagaycenter.org/site/PageServer

(the page says they are closed...)

Here is one thats feeding the poor on Christmas: http://www.foodonfoot.org/

[Smashcut]

3. central LA - mid-city west

Thanks for the suggestions! I did sign up to volunteer at the GLBT center so hopefully I'll hear from them after the holidays.

Food on Foot looks like a great one although their website says they're full for tomorrow. I'll call though and see if I can be put on "standby."

Thanks again!

[Mike Nelson]

2. I thought it was very sweet...

...one year to see a gay group singing Christmas carols. If you could find them, you can make friends, too.

[Smashcut]

5. Fun!

I'll see what I can find on the web. Thanks!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

4. I dunno L.A. but in Miami, the homeless shelters serve food to the poor - they might need a hand

in L.A. as well

[Smashcut]

6. Thanks Sarah.

I did contact the downtown women's center which runs a program like this so hopefully I'll hear back. :)

[Sarah Ibarruri]

7. I would actually show up early and ask if they need some help

I'd dress in a way that shows you're not a homeless person or they might tell you they're not open yet. O8)

[Smashcut]

8. LOL

That's actually a good idea since no one's likely to pick up the phone tonight...

Thanks again!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

9. You're right - people are busy with their own families, plus getting ready for the homeless tomorrow

Good luck and I hope you get a chance to help. It's very rewarding, tho it takes courage to do.

[DBoon]

10. LA needs more people like you

I hope you stick around

[Smashcut]

11. Thanks, neighbor

I'm liking it here so far!

:hi:

[DBoon]

13. Someday I hope there will be another LA DU meetup (nt)

[Occulus]

12. Welcome to DU!

You're thinking of doing the right thing and you'll meet people while doing it who will probably become friends. I live in MI, so I can't give you any ideas about specific charities or community groups in your area, but I might suggest something food-related, because there are a lot of families and individuals with jobs as well as homeless people going hungry right now. It's a growing problem, and being hungry all the time is really a bad thing in general. <-- DUH

Try looking at Google searches for a while; that's a pretty good jumping-off point. Other than that, I don't really know what to say other than "welcome"; don't let the trolls drive you away from here, but that's true of all forums, including Kos and Penny Arcade.

Good on you for helping me think about people who are a whole lot worse off than I tonight. I'll be keeping it in mind while I'm with my family tomorrow.

[Smashcut]

15. Thank you!!!

Today was a blast. Spent the morning at the downtown women's center serving meals. Met some great people!

Hope you had a great Christmas!

[foreigncorrespondent]

14. I too was alone for Christmas!

I live in country Victoria (Australia) and couldn't go to Melbourne with my partner this year, and I haven't spent a Christmas with my family for the last couple of years, so I found myself alone... just me and our 4 cats. I decided to volunteer at the local soup kitchen yesterday and had a ball doing so!

This is an excellent time of year to volunteer, it really does put a smile on many peoples faces. :)

[Smashcut]

16. Hey there!

Sorry you and your partner couldn't spend the holiday together. But the pets do help - luckily I have my roommate's 4 y/o yellow lab Ruthie to keep me company (and occupied - she's a trip!). But yeah, volunteering was definitely the way to go. Glad you fun too!

Next Christmas if I do travel east to see my family I think I'll still make this a part of the holidays. Hopefully I can recruit my younger cousins, etc...

[Iggo]

17. Welcome to L.A. and Welcome to DU.

Damn glad to have ya.

:hi:

[Smashcut]

18. Thank you very much!

:hi: