All year long, Pura Vida works with amazing nonprofit organizations around the world to give back to causes we truly care about! Then each holiday season, our team loves to pause in the middle of all the busyness to partner with a local organization here in San Diego where we can make a difference. ❤️💚

COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on so many families and vulnerable communities, especially those experiencing homelessness.  Knowing the that individuals experiencing homelessness are extremely vulnerable to contracting the virus and face much harsher effects and challenges caused by COVID-19, we wanted to do something to help where we could.

We teamed up with Sackcloth & Ashes, a company that donates blankets to homeless shelters, sponsor a home through Humble Design, an organization that furnishes homes for families and veterans emerging from homelessness. Our goal was to make sure that the family we sponsored had a warm and welcoming home ready for them in time for the holiday season. We spent two amazing days not only volunteering but being inspired by the strength and selflessness of those around us.

Day One:

We went to the Humble Design warehouse in downtown San Diego to help select furniture and home decor for the family, and made custom artwork for the house! 🛋

Day Two:

We unloaded a truck full of furniture and set everything up inside the home including a Christmas tree with presents for the family of eight. The children each got their own bed set up with special gifts waiting for them!

The best part was welcoming the family into their new home and seeing how much joy filled the house! After we showed them around, we got to watch all six kids open their gifts! 🎄🎁

So what can you do to give back this season? Here's 4 ways to support your local homeless community!

Get Educated

Over 500,000 people experience homelessness each year. It's so important to understand what this looks and learn the causes, effects, and how you can help! Check out this resource here to learn more.

Donate

Donate whatever you can to organizations and local shelters that directly serve the homeless community. Whether it's money, blankets, food, or household items, anything and everything helps! A few that we love are: Humble Design, Feeding America, and National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Volunteer

Getting hands-on is also an amazing way to support the homeless community and the organizations supporting them! Some of our favorites are:

• Habitat for Humanity - National
• PATH - Locations in Santa Barbara, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Jose
• Humble Design - Locations in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Seattle, San Diego

Find a shelter near you here and ask them how you can help! Keep in mind they may have restrictions due to COVID-19.

Advocate

Get involved, start the conversation, and educate your community! Stay up to date on politics and legislation relevant to homelessness so you can be a voice for this community and make real change in ending homelessness!