#povertees

As I have mentioned time and time again, right now, right this very now, is the season to give and give and give and so we’re spreading the charity love as much as we can, and we are so happy to showcase Povertees, a non-profit in Los Angeles that sells rad hand-made IN L.A. shirts and products, FOR L.A. and the homeless people that live in the city.  The bottom line is, poverty is a pretty vicious cycle, and only by enabling people to step outside of it, can we really make a big change.  Povertees tries to do this every single day, and we applaud the effort and the soul of the organization. 

It’s officially the holidays and that means that the first thing on every single person’s agenda should be giving and giving and then giving some more.  I think giving is what makes this holiday season in particular so amazing, the ability to spread the love all over the place in so many different ways.  That’s why I’m happy to showcase another amazing charity local to Los Angeles called Povertees today.  After they reached out and I researched their mission, providing homeless people in Los Angeles the means and wherewithal to truly escape the cycle of poverty, I couldn’t have been more excited to help out in such a tiny way.  They make, in Los Angeles For Los Angeles and the rest of the world amazing products like the shirt I’m wearing, and so many others.  Proceeds go to help their mission and with the holidays in full swing, why not snag a gift or two or Donate to help out?!

Yesterday I met D and Mr. Lion.

My guess is that he’s in his early sixties; skin leathered and eyes yellowed. His calloused hands tightly clutched the chubby plush lion that sat upright on his lap, like a child would. And the innocence in his wide eyes similarly betrayed his age. 

I introduced myself and went to sit beside him on the sidewalk when he abruptly shouted,

“Stop! You can’t sit there. Tha’s dirty ground. People pee there.” 

Reaching into his cart of belongings, he pulled out his shirt and carefully spread it out on the ground beside him, motioning that I could now sit. 

We talked about the cities we grew up in, our siblings, and our ambivalence towards baseball. We really bonded over our love for animals. He would love to have a small monkey as a pet; and a chihuahua; and one of those domesticated leopard-like cats. He’s very soft-spoken, and looked around a lot as we spoke - very aware of everything happening around us.

Mid-conversation, he noticed a woman parking her car across the street. As she put coins in the meter, he called out to her, warning that she was slightly in the red and needed to pull back, because they ticket “real bad” around here. When she didn’t hear, he started to wave his arms and yell louder until she got the message and moved her car.

I was so amazed at D’s concern for the strangers around him. He was so aware of our well-being; and so ready to help when it was compromised. And honestly, I can’t say that about most people I know. Especially of myself. I’m always thinking of myself. And if I actually do notice someone’s need, probably 9 out of 10 times I look the other way. 

And then there’s D, a homeless man who’s truest friend is Mr. Lion - and he is filled with genuine concern for the good of people around him, regardless of who notices. 

Now that’s humbling.

  #LifeSewnTogether

Povertees did another pocket party at HIU. Had to up the ante. Support thes guys! #povertees#lifesewntogether#legendofzelda#windwaker