Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid
We are an abolitionist network of care directly working with unhoused communities in Palms and neighboring areas.
Today's Balance
$0.00
Estimated Annual Budget
$38,590
Contributors
About
Welcome to the Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid collective.
Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid (PUMA) is an abolitionist network of care created in March 2020. We strive to meet immediate needs, build community and power with & among our unhoused and housing-insecure neighbors across Mid-city, Palms, and the Westside in Los Angeles. Beyond addressing immediate needs, we know that mutual aid work “hinges upon the recognition of our deep interconnectedness, and suggests ways of relating to one another that might begin to dissolve the transactional attitudes inculcated by capitalism”.
PUMA does weekly outreach across camps where unsheltered residents dwell, and at interim shelter sites across the Westside. We visit regularly to check in, bring hygiene, water, meals, and other basic needs, as well as work to connect folks to services. We have a robust harm reduction program offering supplies, including Narcan, that People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) need. We also partner with street medicine teams to provide wound care, medical consultation, and other community needs. We want our care work to be rooted in humanizing relationship-building with our neighbors and strong political organizing towards structures that allow for our collective flourishing.
WHAT DO WE DO AND HOW WILL YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS BE USED?
- We spend about ~$3,000/month on groceries, medical supplies, toiletries, tents, blankets, clothes, books, and other necessary items for mostly unhoused and food-housing insecure community members.
- We provide hot nutritious meals through our partnership with Free Food Collective.
- We do weekly outreach and rapid response across the Westside where we check in with residents, offer supplies and connect folks to services.
- We partner with street medicine teams for wound care, medical consultation, and other community needs.
- We work closely with unhoused folks as they navigate bureaucratic systems to access services, and employment and work towards getting permanent sustainable housing.
- We provide small cash assistance for vulnerable community members.
- We form coalitions with other local mutual aid networks. These include groups that are doing harm reduction, community fridges, health clinics, and other services.
- We support the art/maker/karaoke space and help coordinate driving for the LA Neighbors for Neighbors Resource Center monthly.
- We’ve been supporting BIPOC and queer-led efforts (FREE SUMMER MARKET, QUEER FAIR) with outreach, art, vols, and supplies.
- We host ongoing clinics, workshops, and events with community members on issues of houselessness, harm reduction, and community care.
- We store and re-distribute supplies to other mutual aid partners across Los Angeles.
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO NEEDS OUR SUPPORT?
We are a volunteer-based network and every contribution we receive goes to supporting our community.
There are so many ways to participate in solidarity work and as such we also welcome your contributions of time and talents. Please contact us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram to get plugged into our work.
Mutual Aid is at once a call-to-arms, a balm for all those despairing at the present and future, and a blueprint for how we might better live with one another. -Dean Spade.
We are a volunteer-based network and every contribution we receive goes to supporting our community.
There are so many ways to participate in solidarity work and as such we also welcome your contributions of time and talents. Please contact us at [email protected] and follow us on Instagram to get plugged into our work.
Mutual Aid is at once a call-to-arms, a balm for all those despairing at the present and future, and a blueprint for how we might better live with one another. -Dean Spade.
It is in collectivities that we find reservoirs of hope and optimism. -Angela Y. Davis
Our team
Connect
Let’s get the ball rolling!
News from Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid
Updates on our activities and progress.
PUMA UPDATES FEB/MARCH 2024
New Free Food Collective FridgeThank you to Community Solidarity Projects for hosting the new Free Food Collectiv...
Published on March 9, 2024 by Ndindi Kitonga
PUMA UPDATES NOV/DEC 2023
Greetings! Our Unhoused Friends Speak Up! Venice Inside Safe Operation One of the communities we engage with on Venice Blvd recently underwent an Inside Safe operation. We were on the ground supporting people as best as w...
Published on December 3, 2023 by Ndindi Kitonga
PUMA UPDATES SEPTEMBER 2023
We had a full summer here at PUMA! Here are some recent updates: Community Day August 9, 2023 This past summer we hosted a Community Day at two local interim housing motels. City programs have left residents without adequat...
Published on September 26, 2023 by Ndindi Kitonga
Budget
Transparent and open finances.
$
Today’s balance--.-- USD
Total raised
$59,477.43 USD
Total disbursed
$59,477.43 USD
Estimated annual budget
$38,590.22 USD
Expenses
All time
Expenses paid
256
Amount disbursed
$69,065.75
| Tags | # of Expenses | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| no tag | 142 | $46,746.10 |
| outreach supplies | 30 | $5,049.32 |
| tents | 8 | $4,033.60 |
| durable goods | 7 | $3,524.83 |
| food | 22 | $2,586.25 |
| clothes | 6 | $1,708.94 |
| Others Combined | 41 | $5,416.71 |
Contributions
All time
Contributions received
291
Amount collected
$48,102.55
| Tiers | # of Contributions | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| one-time | 262 | $42,930.55 |
| recurring | 29 | $5,172.00 |