What we’re up to in 2025!
It’s still March, but already it has been a heck of a year at BHSS — and we have been busy in Skid Row working intimately with our neighbors to find compassionate, community-oriented solutions to whatever arises, even as we continue to grow our young, enthusiastic organization.
Our 2025 began by scrambling to respond to the far-reaching impact of massive wildfires that engulfed entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles while spewing untold quantities of toxins and ash into the air. Some of the worst air-quality readings hovered miles downwind of the fires, in Skid Row. We responded to this crisis by increasing our outreach footprint 4-fold and distributing tents, oxygen canisters, masks, NARCAN, bottled water, hygeine and other necessities made more urgent by the dangerous air quality, efforts made possible through private donations and material support from our partner The Sidewalk Project.
“Chocolatta” in her new tent provided by BHSS via private donations.
Many members in our community saw their tents destroyed in the wind storms that accompanied the start of the LA wildfires.
In February, founder and executive director Pastor Blue spoke at the National Alliance to End Homelessness conference in Los Angeles. His co-presentation with LA County Dept. of Health Services’ Molly Rysman centered on the importance of community solutions to the homelessness crisis.
Pastor Blue’s co-presentation drew so much attention that four separate groups of conference-goers were inspired to leave their DTLA hotels and visit the Sanctuary.
BHSS’ casework has extended to housing referrals, and given our intimate relationships in the community as a trusted source on the ground, this service has become a big part of our day-to-day operations.
Since February, we have completed 18 referrals and helped facilitate 10 individuals into interim housing in addition to our role in coordinating communication between many other individuals and their caseworkers.
Sadly we have already experienced several deaths in the community this community. We held one vigil in January, we are currently planning another, and have recently fundraised for the cremation and service for the infant of a young migrant family who we have been working with for nearly a year after his tragic passing earlier this month. This is one of the most difficult aspects of our work but we take great pride in being able to assist in honoring these loved community members in this final way.
Part of our vigil for Gary Kalloway, who passed away shortly after the LA wildfires left a haze of dangerous air quality over downtown and Skid Row.
This month, we began a new partnership with the county’s Housing for Health mobile clinic, which is now stationed at our community center every other Wednesday and offers wide-ranging medical and social services to our participants.
Every other week, the mobile clinic offers women’s health services, MAT services, STI testing, immunizations, physicals, lab draws, medication refills, durable medical equipment and much more.
We added a crafts station to our weekly Coffee & Cuts programming, bringing even more joy to our Thursday events in which folks can receive complimentary hot beverages, pastries and haircuts, and create something (such as painted sun catchers and beaded bracelets) with their hands.
“Peaches” and “Cricket” painting during a weekly “Coffee, Cuts and Crafts” event at BHSS.
We have grown our community garden, adding some medicinal plants such as aloe and recently planting tomatoes. We hope to continue adding edible and medicinal plants throughout the year!
Latonya planting tomatoes for our community garden. The community has loved getting its hands in the dirt and building green life within our urban jungle.
Finally, we have begun a new partnership with local organization La.Crof, which will be serving an epic feast from the Sanctuary every third Saturday of the month.
A line extended around the block for this month's La.Crof Hot Meals event, testifying to the quality of this feast.
We are growing quickly, most of which is possible through unpaid volunteer efforts from our Sanctuary team. We have also absorbed a lot of new costs, getting battered by two windstorms which depleted our reserve of tents and canopies necessary to keep our 24-hour community resource center running. From this hub, we daily offer access to life-saving harm-reduction supplies as well as bottled water and other items as available.
Of course, amidst all of the changes, we are maintaining our core mission of providing a safe and stimulating space where all individuals are welcome to relax, socialize, access resources, games, books and art supplies and casework on demand.
If you’re able to spare a few dollars — $5, $10, $50, whatever is possible — we invite you to contribute to our mission and help us maintain this community refuge in the heart of Skid Row.
DID YOU KNOW: Blue Hollywood Street Sanctuary is still 501(c)(3)-pending, but you can still write off your donations to us via our partner and fiscal sponsor The Sidewalk Project and their tax-exempt status. You can request a donor letter through our contact page.
