NOS AMIS/CHILDREN HELPING POOR AND HOMELESS PEOPLE

Founded in 1987, Nos Amis/Our Friends, Inc., Children Helping Poor and Homeless People (CHPHP) is an educational outreach program conducted by children and teens with adult advisors. CHPHP community service/service learning programs now involve thousands of young people and adults in direct hands-on programs to help end hunger, poverty and homelessness in California and Oregon.

Through the Monday CHPHP Route for Homeless People in Los Angeles, California, CHPHP encourages young people, their families and schools, scout troops, and businesses to run drives for canned and packaged foods, toiletries and needed items. During the Welcome Orientation Meeting at the CHPHP Storage Area issues of hunger, poverty and homelessness are discussed and all questions are answered.

The donations and food purchased from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank are sorted and assembled into grocery lunch bags, gift bags and survival kits by the young people. During the Moment’s Meeting, the CHPHP Rules are discussed and jobs are assigned. CHPHP Coordinators accompany the young people and adult volunteers to several pre-designated locations where they hand the prepared items directly to children, teens and adults in need.

CHPHP is a partner with the Santa Monica/Malibu School District, the Beverly Hills School District in addition to hundreds of public and private school contacts from pre-schools to the university level.

Ongoing CHPHP programs include Outreach for People, Adopt A Family Program, Adopt A Teen Program, Rent Supplement Program, Fund for People In Need, Animal Outreach, Thanksgiving In a Box Program, Transitional Counseling, the Speaker’s Bureau and Community Picnic and Softball Games.

All CHPHP programs are free and open to the public. Funding for CHPHP comes from an anonymous donor, Wells Fargo Bank, Toyota Motor Corporation, Dora Freeman Levit Fund for People, FEMA, The Dermologica Foundation, The Entertainment Foundation, The Aaron and Rochel Meyer Foundation and individuals, young and old. CHPHP works with government agencies, social service agencies and homeless shelters to increase effectiveness and to avoid duplication of efforts.

CHPHP has been featured on CNN, NBC-4, Nickelodeon in connection with “The Big Help,” TNN, many radio programs and in numerous print media.

CHPHP has been honored with a 2001 Education and Advocacy Award from the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, a 1999 Citationist for the President’s Service Award, “Outstanding Local Group” by USA Today and the Points of Light Foundation in connection with National Make a Difference Day and by the Points of Light Volunteer Center of Los Angeles.