From Zero: A Practical Guide
Let’s imagine your life is entirely upended. You have nothing, you’re starting from scratch. But you live in a modern society.
This is your guide to navigate these times.
Phase 1: Ground Zero - Survival and Stabilization
Immediate Needs:
We live in a well-developed society, there is no reason these immediate needs of yours shouldn’t be met.
Shelter: Contact your local 211 hotline or visit the National Alliance to End Homelessness website (endhomelessness.org) for a directory of shelters and transitional housing programs in your area. Remember, you have the right to safe and weather-protective shelter, even in emergencies.
Food: Utilize your local food bank like Feeding America (feedingamerica.org) or find free meal programs at soup kitchens like the Midnight Mission (www.midnightmission.org) in Downtown Los Angeles. Many grocery stores offer discounted produce sections, gleaning opportunities, and apps like Olio (olioapp.com) connect you with community members sharing excess food.
National Directory: https://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/foodbanks/
Water: Refill your reusable water bottle at public libraries like the Los Angeles Public Library (lapl.org) or community centers like the Venice Community Center (venicecommunitycenter.org). A reusable water bottle should hold 2-4 cups (16-32oz) . Try to drink at least 8 daily (64oz).
Sleep: Seek safe havens like the LAHSA Department of Public Health shelters (lacity.org/lahsa) or libraries during designated quiet hours. Consider overnight parking in well-lit areas with security cameras if necessary.
Hygiene: Public restrooms at parks like MacArthur Park (macarthurpark.org) or community centers like the Hollywood Community Services Center (hollywoodcommunityservices.org) can be useful measures. Baby wipes and hygiene kits are often available at shelters like PATH (path.org).
Securing Essentials:
Identification: Apply for a government-issued ID at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.org). You may be eligible for free or reduced-cost IDs with proof of homelessness.
Proof of Homelessness: If you lack a stable residence, you could be entitled to several essential fee-waivers or reductions through submitting this documentation through appropriate channels at your local shelter or aid agency.
For LA County: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dmh/235115_AGENCYVERIFICATIONOFHOMELESSNESSFORM9-28-15.pdf)
In California: https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/PIH/documents/Sample_Homeless_Certification.pdf).
Phone: Look into government programs like Lifeline (lifeline.org) for free or low-cost cell phone plans. Public libraries like the Culver City Library (culvercity.org) offer free computers and internet access for job searches and communication.
Clothing: Check out donation centers like Goodwill (goodwill.org) or Salvation Army (salvationarmyusa.org) for practical clothing. Many shelters offer clothing vouchers or laundry services.
Mental and Physical Health:
Free Clinics: Visit community health centers like Venice Family Clinic (venicefamilyclinic.org) for immediate medical attention, even without insurance. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org) provides free mental health support groups and resources.
Support Groups: Look for local NAMI chapters or groups like the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Peer Support Program (lalgbtcenter.org) for individuals facing similar challenges. Sharing stories fosters hope and connection.
Exercise: Join free fitness classes at the YMCA (ymcala.org) or simply walk or do bodyweight exercises and practice jogging in parks like Echo Park (echopark.org) to boost mood and well-being.
Phase 2: Building Blocks - Skills and Resources
Education and Training:
Adult Literacy Programs: Enroll in free classes at your local library or community college like Los Angeles City College (lacitycollege.edu) to strengthen your reading, writing, and math skills for better job prospects.
Free Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera (coursera.org) and Khan Academy (khanacademy.org) offer thousands of free courses in everything from computer coding to business communication. Learn new skills or explore your interests at your own pace.
Vocational Training: Consider programs like the Homeboy Industries culinary program (homeboyindustries.org) or the West Coast Carpentry apprenticeship (westcoastcarpentry.org) to gain practical skills in mechanics, carpentry, or other in-demand fields.
Financial Literacy:
Budgeting Workshops: Attend workshops offered by organizations like the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nfcc.org) or your local credit union to learn how to manage your finances effectively, even with limited income.
Financial Aid: Explore government programs like SNAP (snap.gov) for food assistance or TANF (tanf.acf.hhs.gov) for temporary cash assistance to help meet basic needs.
Debt Management: Contact non-profit credit counseling agencies like Money Management International (moneymanagement.org) for guidance on managing debt and avoiding predatory loans.
Social Integration:
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer at your local animal shelter like the ASPCA (aspca.org) or soup kitchen to give back while gaining valuable experience and building connections.
Mentorship Programs: Connect with experienced professionals through programs like iCouldBe (icouldbe.org) or find a mentor in your field of interest through SCORE (score.org).
Community Events: Attend local festivals like the LA County Fair
