From a young age, community service and philanthropy have been a privilege and a passion for me. Starting with fundraising for the American Heart Association at age six, my journey has evolved to include roles as a board member for various arts organizations, chairing Relay For Life with the American Cancer Society, chairing Canstruction Orlando, and joining the Pulse Foundation in 2016. With every can of food raised and every dollar given, I know that my efforts today can make a small difference in the lives of those around me tomorrow.
When I met Tim Barber in 2018, I expressed my commitment to community service as a key factor in seeking a long-term position. I was delighted to discover that the Tim Barber Architects team shares this dedication. Every September, our office engages in community service activities like cleaning the beach with Heal the Bay, planting trees with TreePeople, and serving lunch to those in need.
In the Fall of 2018, I discovered My Friend’s Place (MFP), an organization in Hollywood that supports nearly 1,200 youth experiencing homelessness each year, many of whom are LGBTQIA+. This mission resonated with me personally, and it was a perfect fit for our team’s goals. We scheduled our first lunch service event for the first week of October, and it was a tremendous success. Tim donned his chef’s hat and prepared a meal for the young people and staff, while our team enjoyed serving and interacting with them. This joyful day of giving back initiated an ongoing relationship with MFP.
This experience ignited a focus for my philanthropic efforts. In 2019, I joined MFP’s Emerging Leadership Council (ELC) and became the membership chair. As our relationship with MFP grew, the TBA team undertook the rejuvenation of MFP’s clothing “shop”, which gives clients the opportunity to choose needed apparel and also experience the act of shopping (see more on that here).
During the height of COVID in 2020, we learned that MFP had moved their services outside due to health protocols. To help develop a more welcoming environment, we created a garden atmosphere in their parking lot with greenery, canopies, and movable walls for their day-to-day services (see the full story here).
Over the past four years, my connection with My Friend’s Place (MFP) has deepened significantly. In 2022, I had the honor of being invited by Heather Carmichael, MFP’s Executive Director, to join the Board of Directors. Serving as Chair of the Board Development and Nominations Committee and as a member of the Building Pursuits Committee has been incredibly fulfilling. During my initial two-year term, I focused on helping MFP secure a new home and build strong leadership.
Working alongside this exceptional group of professionals invigorates my spirit and fills me with hope. I am confident that together we can bring about meaningful change and make a profound impact on the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. The alumni of My Friend’s Place demonstrate the incredible potential of this organization. One such inspiring example is Sheryl Recinos, a fellow Board Member, who transitioned from being a homeless youth in Los Angeles to becoming a physician, author, speaker, and devoted mother. Her journey illustrates how a helping hand at a young age can change a person’s trajectory, lifting them up and showing them that anything is possible. I serve this organization to create more of that positive change.
This past May, Heather asked me to step into the Co-President position and I am excited to lead this organization, as we increase our programming for the youth we serve and build a new home to expand our capacity and reach.
What began as a simple Google search in 2018 has grown into a relationship that enriches my life and the lives of my teammates at Tim Barber Architects. We eagerly anticipate continuing to support MFP as it grows.
MFP is currently working to acquire a new campus to expand services and programs by 3x to meet the growing needs of youth experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. To support the Capital Campaign and Building/Program Pursuits, check out this link.