On this episode, Rabbi Joshua shares in depth about the new strategic plan that is guiding the work of Friends In Deed for the next three years. And, as a special addition, he is playing some music in between segments of the show, so look forward to that new feature!

Read the FID Strategic Plan:

https://friendsindeedpas.org/strategic-plan/

https://friendsindeedpas.org

Rabbi Joshua welcomes the new CEO of Union Station, Katie Hill, to the podcast to discuss her background, career and initial thoughts on the state of homelessness in Pasadena. They also discuss the recent turmoil taking place with LAHSA and the Board of Supervisors, and what that could mean for service providers in our sector.

Rabbi Joshua also shares an update on Eaton Fire funding and how FID has been helping the community in the aftermath.

Outro music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org

On this special episode, Rabbi Joshua welcomes Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) to the Food Pantry, after her office reached out about coming to talk about potential federal funding cuts to SNAP and Medicaid. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which is funded via the USDA, and provides low-income families food benefits to supplement their grocery budget.

Rabbi Joshua and Rep. Chu discuss the dangers these cuts pose to so many Americans, including those coming to FID.

Learn more about SNAP:

https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

https://friendsindeedpas.org

Welcome to 2025! Sadly, it didn't start well for folks in Southern California, including Altadena/Pasadena, where Friends In Deed is located. In this first episode of the year, Rabbi Joshua returns with an update on programs and operations post-Eaton fire. Listen to learn how FID is continuing to serve the most vulnerable in our community, and what they have been doing in response to the fires.

https://friendsindeedpas.org

Today, Rabbi Joshua spends a few minutes talking with some members of the Street Outreach and Housing team to find out the latest goings on. We hear about increasing numbers of families without homes, people starting to suffer from the cold, and, in some positive news, how there are new permanent supporting housing units becoming available.

Support the work of FID:
https://friendsindeedpas.org/donate-to-friends-in-deed/

https://friendsindeedpas.org

Today, Rabbi Joshua sits down with Tunisia Offray, Co-Director of Shepherd's Door, a domestic violence resource center in Pasadena. In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss not only how domestic violence affects homelessness, but Tunisia shares her own story, and how it led to the creation of the organization, by her mother, 25 years ago.

Learn more about FID:
https://friendsindeedpas.org/


Learn more about Shepherd's Door:
https://www.shepherddoor.org/

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out either to Shepherd's Door or to the national hotline, 800.799.SAFE (7233).

https://friendsindeedpas.org

This week, Rabbi Joshua shares the full recording of the State of FID, which was a live event recorded on 11/20/24. You will hear from each of the program directors and leadership of Friends In Deed about all of the goings on for the past year, and how things have been going for the past few months. It also includes some initial insights into the new strategic plan.

Since this is only audio, we are sharing the slide deck that the speakers are referring to, which Rabbi Joshua mentions at the beginning of the show. Enjoy!

https://friendsindeedpas.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/FID-Slide-Deck-State-of-FID-2024.pptx.pdf

https://friendsindeedpas.org

On this episode, Rabbi Joshua checks in with FID's Senior Director of Programs, Ryan Greer, to hear about the latest in each program and to discuss the Measure A initiative that will be on the ballot in LA County this November.

Learn more about Friends In Deed

Learn more about Measure A

Closing music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org