Seniors, veterans, homeless and low income pet owners who need pet food or assistance in the San Fernando Valley can call our hotline 818-927-1364 or email us at info@therescuetrain.org

Because schools are closed due to COVID-19, children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals can get up to $365 in food benefits in addition to their pick up meals from school. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT.

Most families with children who applied for CalFresh or Medi-Cal benefits do not need to apply. They will get their P-EBT card in the mail during the month of May. P-EBT cards will begin arriving around May 12, 2020 through May 22, 2020.

Families with children who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals and who do not get their P-EBT card in the mail by May 22, 2020 must apply online before June 30, 2020.

Child Development Institute & Food Forward are distributing food (fruits & vegetables) every Wednesday by appointment only
To schedule an appointment call Tuesdays between 2:00pm-3:30pm (818)712-0453
CDI Early Learning Center 7260 Owensmouth Ave. Canoga Park, CA 91303

Supervisor Sheila Kuehl has partnered with LA Food Bank to provide a FREE Drive-thru Food Distribution. No eligibility requirements, open to all!
Thursday, April 30, 2020; 9 am to 12 pm @ El Cariso Community Regional Park (13100 Hubbard St, Sylmar, CA 91342)

Starting today, CalFresh recipients can now use their EBT card to buy groceries online at Walmart and Amazon.com for home delivery! Spend $35 or more on groceries and get home delivery for FREE. Visit GetCalFresh.org for more information.

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services – Via Avanta, a residential resource with everyone that has current openings for clients,. Contact Elan Javanford Phone: 818-897-2609 between 9am -4:30pm to express interest

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services-Via Avanta (DHMHS-VA) is a 24-hour, non-medical residential drug rehabilitation program licensed and certified by the State of California Department of Health Care Services. Our comprehensive program provides individually-tailored, culturally-competent, gender-specific and trauma-informed substance abuse treatment and mental health services that include assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling sessions, random drug and alcohol testing, access to 12-step programs including AA/NA meetings, a parenting program, case management services, individual and group psychotherapy, and medication support services. DHMHSVA aims to help women resolve challenges through a broad array of services and support to ensure successful, independent, drug-free living. Via Avanta accepts pregnant and parenting women. Space permitting and with approval of treatment team, up to 2 children under age 7 may reside on-site with their mother during mother’s treatment. On average clients remain in the program between 4-6 months.

Referrals will be prioritized if they can provide:

• All typical documents needed, TB Screening, Physician Report
• 7-day recording of the following:
  • Temperature
  • Respiratory Symptoms
  • Contact with a presumptive positive

Fruits & Veggies Image Credit

April 13, the Mayor announced the launch of the “Angeleno Card” by the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles. This initiative is funded by private donations and is not a City program.

The Angeleno Card provides direct financial assistance to Angelenos facing extreme economic hardship as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis.

It is to  help low-wage  hourly workers who had jobs in homes and restaurants, seasonal workers, and other workers such as day laborers, street vendors, or self-employed individuals who are experiencing heightened financial hardship because of COVID-19. This economic hardship may be due to job loss, severe reduction of work hours, or furloughs. This includes Angelenos who qualify for federal and state assistance but may not receive that financial support for weeks or longer.

To  be eligible, applicants must provide documentation that confirms that 1) their household is in the City of Los Angeles, 2) their income fell below the Federal Poverty Level per household size before the COVID-19 crisis (see table below), and 3) they have fallen into deeper economic hardship during the crisis because at least one household member lost a job or had a reduction in income of at least 50%. Immigration status is not considered in determining eligibility. Since this program is privately funded, any assistance received is not considered a public benefit and is not subject to the Public Charge rule.

How To Apply for Assistance?

First, visit https://hcidla.lacity.org/ or https://hcidla.lacity.org/family-source-centers and complete the Angeleno Card online application. Applications may only be completed Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. People without internet access or who need help applying online may call 213-252-3040, Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Those who pre-qualify based on their online or telephone applications will be given an in-person appointment at a designated community center. These centers cannot help anyone without an appointment. You will be asked to provide documentation at this in-person meeting, and you may be able to upload pictures or digital copies of documentation in advance.

If there are more “approved” applicants than funds available, recipients of this one-time financial assistance will be randomly selected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apply now

News about the Angeleno Card: Please note that the city website has been having problems.

Eviction Moratorium

Having trouble paying the rent on time? Get information and help at the HCIDLA COVID-19 page.

Highly Recommend – constituents contact HCIDLA so that, if necessary, cases are properly and timely documented and communication with tenants/landlords can begin even sooner.

HOTLINE: 1-866-557-7368  M-F 8:30A-4:30P, and Sat and Sun, 10A-3P
Or online: hcidla.lacity.org/ask-hcidla

WIC

Grab & Go

All are welcome for free grab & go meals at the Mid Valley Family YMCA, 11am-2pm Monday & Wednesday, 6901 Lennox Ave.

Todos pueden llevarse bolsas de almuerzo gratis, 11am-2pm Lunes y Miercoles, Mid Valley Family YMCA, 6901 Lennox Ave.

Face Masks

The Mayor shares: Early data suggests many who are infected with COVID-19 are not symptomatic, which is why we are recommending you use cloth face coverings plus physical distancing for essential activities. Do not use surgical and N95 masks, which are reserved for first responders and medical workers.

So, you probably don’t have any masks just lying around your house. The New York Times and Youtube have suggestions on how to sew masks, sew one out of a bandana, fold one from a bandana, or cut one out of a t-shirt. We haven’t tested these all yet, so your mileage may vary.

Mental Health

Diversions

Our own Getty Center challenged people on social media to recreate a piece of art at home using materials on hand. Check out the great results at the Getty Blog and here.

Musicians the world over are sharing their music including cellist Yo Yo Ma with his #songsofcomfort on his social media accounts. LA Phil at home is offering pieces recorded at home and the Colorado symphony offered a virtual Ode to Joy.

The Apricot Lane Farm of the Biggest Little Farm movie in nearby Moorpark is hosting Friday livestreams at 10am. This week viewers learn about chicks. You can also view it on their Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/apricotlanefarms