The mission of My Friend's Place is to inspire and assist homeless and high-risk youth and their children to build stable, self-sufficient lives. My Friend's Place develops trust-based relationships with these difficult to reach, high-risk youth in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Individualized one-on-one programs and creative, educational, and therapeutic services awaken in homeless youth their sense of personal worth and potential.

Unknown Theater and My Friend's Place

Since the beginning of 2004, Unknown Theater has been dedicated to our partnership with My Friend's Place, helping to build stable lives for their clients.

In order to develop an intimate understanding of clients' needs, company member Vanessa Waters began by observing as a volunteer for eight months before our weekly workshops began. From Vanessa's invaluable hands-on experience, we launched a custom-built theater arts program for the client's at My Friend's Place on September 7th, 2004.

(For a glimpse into the conception of this program, you can read Vanessa's Journal ).

In weekly workshops we develop trust though ensemble exercises, teach character development techniques through movement and vocal exploration, and expand social awareness through an introduction to Stanislavsky-based techniques.

Attracting hundreds of participants, the weekly workshops also encourage clients to return regularly to My Friend's Place and take advantage of the many services and resources provided to help the clients build self-sufficient lives.

After clients have become regular participants in the weekly workshops they then have the option to attend special scene study classes with Artistic Director Chris Covics. Clients look forward to performing these scenes at My Friend's Place's bi-monthly Karaoke Night, where peers, friends, and staff experience the joy of a very special performance.

In an ultimate realization of the program, we plan to one-day invite Junior Company members to return to My Friend's Place and work side by side with Unknown Theater company members as partners. These Junior Company members will provide peer-to-peer inspiration for new clients to pursue creative urges, celebrate collaboration, and reap the benefits of artistic discipline.

Facts

Nationwide

...there are 200,000 homeless, unattended youth
...more than half reported being told to leave or their parents knew they were leaving and didn’t care
...there are over 500,000 children living with homeless families
...70% of homeless youth have been abused
...50% are "system youth;" young people who have spent time in foster homes, group homes, or juvenile hall. Many of these youth become progressively entangled in the criminal justice system.
...50% of homeless young people have children themselves
...1,234 youth run away from home each day in the U.S.

In Los Angeles

...estimates of the street youth population run as high as 11,000

My Friend's Place was visited 12,000 times in the year 2002, providing:

• 20,000 nutritious meals
• 15,000 items of clothing
• 2,000 bus tokens and taxi vouchers
• 5,404 medical and mental health services
• 336 legal referrals to pro bono services
• 2,000 educational and employment services (including computer skills, resume assistance, application assistance, interview clothing, interview preparation and skill building workshops)
• Artistic workshops ranging from photography to creative writing to film production
• Access to telephones, writing supplies and email to contact loved ones and friends
  
• The constant dedication, passion, and knowledge of our case managers and staff which make successes possible

You can help

Volunteer Opportunities Available at My Friend's Place

Administrative: Assist with administrative duties that include filing, phone calls, copying, data entry, preparing mailings and/or coordinating volunteers. Monday through Friday, 9am to 6pm.

Dayroom: Assist staff while working directly with clients. Help prepare lunches, engage in computer assistance, tutoring, games, art projects and assist in group facilitation. Monday through Thursday 12pm to 6pm. Friday 12pm to 5pm.

Fundraising Events: Opportunities are available in all areas of fundraising, from development through event production. Times vary.

Special Events: Help plan and set up special events for the clients. (i.e. picnics, fieldtrips, open mike night, sporting events, special lunches, holiday and birthday parties.) Times vary.

Workshops: Share a special talent or skill with our clients. Assist or direct workshops ranging from employment and education to the arts. Monday through Thursday 12pm to 6pm. Friday 12pm to 5pm.

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