Stories and anecdotes are important and help to touch the emotional side of people's lives. Yet sometimes, we need data and research to support those stories, especially with policy makers. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua speaks with Professor Chris Giamarino of Cal Poly Pomona. Professor Giamarino is a leading expert on vehicular homelessness, which includes the study of safe parking. We hope you will listen and join us in learning some of the in-depth knowledge about the reality of our neighbors living in their cars.

Here are three articles, two by Professor Giamarino, on the topic:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10511482.2024.2313511

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10511482.2022.2117990#d1e230

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01944363.2022.2050936

https://friendsindeedpas.org

Tired of hearing that interim housing costs too much, takes too long and isn't viable? On this episode, Rabbi Joshua speaks with Gene Edelman, co-founder of Azure Printed Homes, whose company is having success in parts of California and around the country, creating different size homes that are beautiful, cost effective and made out of recycled materials. They have zero contracts for interim housing here in LA--we are hoping that will change soon!

https://www.azureprintedhomes.com/

Closing music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org

In today's episode, Rabbi Joshua visits The Women's Room (TWR) to talk with a guest about her life and how she arrived at Friends In Deed. Cristian's honesty and inspiration is certainly a testament to the power of faith, community, survival--never feeling alone, always feeling supported. This an episode not to be missed!

Closing music: Eric Clapton

Other music: ABBA

https://friendsindeedpas.org

On this episode, Rabbi Joshua has an in-depth conversation with Rector Carrie Grindon of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Altadena. Pastor Grindon shares her experience with the Eaton Fire, learning about the burning of the church and homes of her parishioners, as well as the saving of a church bell from the rubble. And like the Altadena Baptist Church and Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, she discusses their plans to rebuild on their land.

And like the previous episode, this one is a bit longer than usual. But worth it!

Closing music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org

On this special episode, Rabbi Joshua has in-depth conversation with three local clergy, all of whose houses of worship burned in the Eaton Fire: Pastor Connie DeVaughn of Altadena Baptist Church, and Rabbi Josh Ratner and Cantor Ruth Berman Harris of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center. This was an emotional, spiritual and moving conversation, which moves from the moments of the fire to the months since, and now towards the light of new beginnings, as each congregation has plans to rebuild on their property.

Closing music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org

On this episode, Rabbi Joshua discusses Safe Parking programs and talks with FID's new Director of Street Outreach and Housing, Giulianna LoMaglio, who has expertise in how successful safe parking can be for moving people from homelessness to housing. This is timely as Pasadena is in the midst of a debate about opening up a new safe parking location.

Apply for FID's safe parking program:

https://friendsindeedpas.org/programs/street-outreach/

Learn more about the program in LA:

https://safeparkingla.org/

Closing music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org

Grateful to move forward from the government shutdown, Rabbi Joshua speaks today with Opie, a woman in her 20s, who has a more unusual story than most guests who come to The Women's Room. She opens up about her early life in Tennessee, attending college, how personal challenges led her to California, where she found herself living in her car. You will have to listen to the episode to hear the rest of her story!

Closing music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org

On this episode, Rabbi Joshua is joined by Tim Nistler for a conversation about the impending cuts to SNAP benefits and how it is affecting our food pantry community. Tim shares the staggering new record of households in one week, and speaks about how you can help us serve those most in need.

https://friendsindeedpas.org