Downtown Los Angeles – Coalesce International 2026

October 10, 2020 on 5th and Alameda St.

Helping the Homeless in Los Angeles, Denver, and Newark

In 2025, about 72,308 people were experiencing homelessness countywide, down from 75,312 in 2024. Both unsheltered and overall homelessness decreased, a trend officials attribute to state and local efforts.

Even as more individuals are being housed than ever before, thousands of men and women in Los Angeles still wake up each morning without a place to call home. The housing crisis remains severe, and for many, help has not come quickly enough.

That is why Coalesce International continues to show up — consistently and compassionately. Every other Saturday, we travel to downtown Los Angeles near Japantown on 4th Street to meet our unhoused neighbors where they are. We hand out lunch bags filled with warm burritos or sandwiches and snacks, along with clothing and thoughtfully prepared hygiene kits containing soap, shampoo, and hand sanitizer. These items may seem simple, but to someone living on the streets, they mean comfort, dignity, and care. More than just food and supplies, we offer kindness, conversation, and human connection — reminding each person that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.

2026

In January and February 2026, Coalesce International continued our mission of serving those in need in downtown Los Angeles, helping hundreds of individuals by providing warm meals, clothing, and essential supplies. During these colder months, our outreach efforts focused on bringing both comfort and dignity to our unhoused neighbors.

We are especially grateful to Trader Joe’s in Marina del Rey (please see our hero’s page) for their generous donation of beautiful roses, which we distributed alongside food and clothing. Those simple yet meaningful flowers brought smiles, warmth, and a reminder to so many that they are seen, valued, and cared for. Every act of kindness — whether a meal, a jacket, or a single rose — helped make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

For Valentine’s Day, we hosted our first Annual Valentine’s Day Palooza, and it was truly unforgettable! We served fresh, hot burritos and cold Pepsi, and distributed blankets, roses, beautiful African baskets, hygiene kits, and other thoughtful gifts to our neighbors living in Skid Row. The day was filled with smiles, gratitude, and a strong sense of community. It was a tremendous success, and we are deeply thankful to our generous donors and community partners — including Trader Joe’s — whose support made this special celebration possible

March to November 2025

In March through November, we continued our mission to uplift and support the unhoused community in downtown Los Angeles. With unwavering compassion, we provided warm meals, hygiene kits, clothing, and critical resources to those facing housing insecurity. Our dedicated volunteers, alongside community partners, engaged in consistent outreach—bringing care, connection, and a sense of belonging to those who need it most.

For Thanksgiving, we hosted our Second Annual Philippe’s Luncheon for our friends in Skid Row. It was a meaningful opportunity to come together, share a warm meal, and show our community that they are cared for and remembered. The afternoon was filled with gratitude, fellowship, and heartfelt appreciation, and by the end of the gathering, everyone left feeling thankful and uplifted.

Each shared meal, every kind word, and all acts of support remind us: together, we can build a community where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.

Jan – Feb 2025

We remained committed to our mission of supporting the unhoused community in downtown Los Angeles by providing essential resources, warm meals, and compassionate care. Through outreach efforts, partnerships with local organizations, and the dedication of our volunteers, we worked to offer assistance and hope to those in need.

Every act of kindness brings us closer to a future where no one is left without support and dignity.

October 26, 2024

Today, we treated some of our regular guests to a meal at Philippe’s in downtown LA, a beloved spot for Dodger fans! Here are some pictures to show how much they enjoyed it. A big thank you to our sponsors for making this event

May 2024

We distributed food and clothing, and demonstrated to the community how much of an impact their donated items have through the proceeds from our book. They were all deeply grateful. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who purchased my book—it truly makes a difference in their lives, no matter how small.

April 2024

Continued to serve the homeless with clothes and food. In March we had a pupusa lady come and cook fresh pupusas for our homeless community. It was a major hit as they really appreciated the hot freshly cooked food and caring our team brought.

In addition, we continue to bring clothes, food, tents, blankets, and hygiene kits to the needy. Every tent is well received and adds protection from the weather and rainfall that LA has received this year.

Coalesce International has had many exciting opportunities presented to it recently. Good360 invited us to join their organization in able to be eligible to receive donations or purchase items with only an admin fee. Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living was kind to donate whatever we needed from their yard sale which enabled us to gather lots of mens and womens clothes, shoes, and bedding. Bombas Sock company has approved us to receive donations after 2 years on the wait list!

DTLA

Stories from the Streets

— Steven

Steven has spent time on the streets and recently got out of prison after 12 years. He didn’t have a relationship with his father until 2020, when his father, who was diabetic, contracted COVID. Steven spent the last five months of his father’s life caring for him and his father’s dogs. Sadly, his father passed away quickly, and now Steven is left caring for the dogs in his tent on the streets of LA. They serve as a poignant reminder of his father’s memory.

–Eduardo

Eduardo returned home to care for his mother after his father passed away at 94. Unfortunately, upon his return, all of his belongings were stolen. We were able to provide him with clothes, shoes, a sleeping mat, and food. When we asked him if he needed anything else, he simply replied, “Nothing, but what can I get for you?” I was deeply moved by his response—despite being broken and living on the streets, he still had the kindness and empathy to think of others.

June 2023

We hosted a special fundraiser to provide yoga mats for our unhoused neighbors, with a goal of collecting 100 mats. The purpose was simple but meaningful — to offer a more comfortable barrier between them and the cold, hard concrete sidewalks where many sleep each night.

Before fully launching the initiative, we distributed several mats to individuals living on the streets to see how they would be received. The response was overwhelmingly positive and deeply appreciative. For someone sleeping on cement, even a small layer of cushioning can make a significant difference.

These high-quality, durable mats are designed to last, providing warmth, comfort, and a small but important sense of relief during difficult circumstances.

Due to the overwhelming response, we have already hit our goal of 100 mats for the homeless. The mats will be distributed on July 8, 2023.

Thank you to all our generous donors!!! We appreciate your kindness.

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Coalesce International continues its mission to support the homeless by distributing food and clothing. This aid has been especially important after the recent storms in LA, which damaged or destroyed many of the belongings of those living on the streets. In preparation for Easter, we’ve also prepared decorated lunch bags filled with turkey sandwiches and other treats as a small gesture of kindness.

November 12, 2022

Over time, downtown Los Angeles has undergone many changes, including the areas where we distribute food and clothing to our unhoused neighbors. Some familiar faces we once served are no longer there, while new individuals have taken their place. The lines for assistance at the Fred Jordan Mission remain long, and tents continue to line the sidewalks — though they are more spread out than in the past. Despite these visible shifts, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the area remains significant.

As winter approaches, the need for support becomes even more urgent. While there may not be an immediate solution to this complex crisis, we must continue to show compassion, look out for one another, and do what we can to bring comfort and care to those who need it most.

Please stay safe and thank you for your continued support.

Trish

Our efforts to support the unhoused community are ongoing, as we continue to distribute sack lunches and clothing generously donated by our friends and family. To ensure a safe environment, we take precautions by wearing masks and practicing social distancing while handing out these items. The people we serve are truly grateful for the food and clothing, especially in light of the recent rain.

Here are some photos from our latest outreach in downtown LA.

July – September 2021

We are able to continue our services to the homeless in Downtown Los Angeles thanks to the generosity of our volunteers who assist us every other Saturday with setting up and collecting food and clothing. However, it’s disheartening to see that the situation is not improving, as evidenced by the growing number of tents that are being squeezed together on the streets.

June -July 3, 2021

Our efforts to serve the homeless population in downtown LA continue, and we do so by providing essential items such as clothes, food, and hot fresh burritos. Unfortunately, the number of tents on the streets seems to be increasing. We’ve also noticed other outreach teams offering various services, including haircutting, hair coloring, and even a motorcycle organization that provides BBQ sandwiches.

The individuals who receive our services are tremendously grateful, and although we understand that our efforts are only a temporary solution, we feel that we’re making a positive impact by lifting their spirits and showing empathy. We hope that our efforts inspire them to persevere and find their way out of homelessness.

We’d like to express our gratitude to our donors who generously provide us with clothes, food, and other household items. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to continue our efforts to help those in need. We could not do it without you!

May 22, 2021

We ensured that all of our team’s volunteers, as well as our regular street volunteers (bodyguards), were fully vaccinated. However, it was disheartening to see an increasing number of people in need of food and clothing. Thanks to our generous donors, we were able to distribute various clothing items, including new t-shirts, underwear, and socks, as well as sack lunches filled with delicious treats. The food and clothing were received with gratitude, and as usual, we provided them with hot, delicious burritos that they loved.

We’re immensely grateful to our donors and volunteers who made this possible. Without their unwavering support, we wouldn’t be able to continue providing essential services to the homeless population in downtown LA. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to this noble cause.

February 15, 2021

We have been advised to temporarily suspend our operations in downtown Los Angeles due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Los Angeles. Currently the vaccine is being giving to the homeless who are over 65 years old. As of Feb 8, there was 6000 homeless reported Covid-19 cases. Nearly 700 of those cases were people 65 or over. 156 homeless have died from Covid with 44 people over 65.

November 21, 2020

Thanks to our generous donators from the blanket drive we were able to start distributing blankets filled with knit cap, gloves, scarf, underwear, and t-shirts. We were also giving out needed toilet paper and burritos to the homeless.

October 24, 2020

Provided hot burritos, clothes to the countless homeless. Sadly numbers seem to be increasing.

Pictured is me, Craig and Will, otherwise known as the bodyguards.

October 10, 2020

During this period of the COVID-19 pandemic, our friends and families have been donating lunches, burritos, and clothes, which we distribute to the homeless. Although there are many homeless individuals, we have not observed anyone with COVID-19, possibly because they get tested and live outside. Nevertheless, they have ongoing needs for blankets, pillows, tents, and men’s clothing.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors from the blanket drive, we were able to begin distributing blankets bundled with knit caps, gloves, scarves, underwear, and t-shirts to those in need. In addition, we provided much-needed toilet paper and fresh burritos to our unhoused neighbors. Your support helped bring warmth, comfort, and nourishment to so many during this time.

Project Roomkey:

At the onset of the pandemic, hotel rooms were allocated to shelter the most susceptible individuals and get them off the streets. A vast number of motels and hotels were reserved to accommodate the expected surge in demand, but it did not materialize as anticipated. Although a few homeless people got infected, the projected numbers did not occur. Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 uninfected individuals stayed in the designated rooms out of the 10,000 rooms set aside for this purpose. However, many people departed due to the stringent regulations such as the 7 pm curfew and other rules to adhere to, despite being provided with amenities such as meals, water, television, and fresh bedding

Thank you for your support.

October 3, 2020

We were able to provide much needed toilet paper and hygiene kits to the homeless. They were very appreciative of the fresh cooked burritos and lunches provided.

June 27, 2020

Newark, New Jersey

There are approximately 2000 homeless in Newark New Jersey. Most homeless congregate around Penn Station.

The city plans to embark on 2020 the following:

Setting aside $3.3 million to contract beds in more of the city’s 28 shelters, contingent on enhanced case management
An agreement with Integrity House to provide in-patient, out-patient and detox services for drug addiction
Working with Rutgers University to provide professional mental health services
Working with Bridges Outreach to expand its existing services into the nighttime hours, seven days a week.
Creating a database accessible to shelters and agencies to better keep track of people who have interacted with the system. And, determine if that person is a Newark resident.

Newark, New Jersey – University Hospital

Dr Albert Alhatem and Dr Raul Rodriguez distributed sandwiches to around 50 grateful homeless people around the University Hospital while keeping their social distance and wearing masks.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have temporarily suspended our operations in Los Angeles, California until it is safe to resume. State officials have announced plans to explore temporary housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness, including the use of motels, hotels, and apartments to provide safe isolation when needed.

In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay healthy, stay safe, and look out for one another.

March 14, 2020

We were able to serve over 100 individuals with lunches and hot burritos — all of which were distributed within just 15 minutes. It was a rainy day, and many people were cold, wet, and hungry. Clothing, towels, blankets, shoes, and other donated items from our generous friends were given out quickly as well. Everything was received with deep appreciation. Those we served were incredibly polite and thankful, even forming their own orderly lines for food and clothing without being asked.

We continue to distribute burritos, taquitos along with bag lunches and clothes to the countless homeless living on the streets near 4th and 5th street.