It’s National Volunteer Week, when we all celebrate the spirit of service that brings people together to create lasting change. Nowhere is that spirit more alive than in the work of our compassionate and dedicated volunteers, who truly embody Better Angels’ mission of ending our homelessness crisis by harnessing the power of the LA community. In neighborhoods all over LA County, our volunteers work, plan, show up, serve together, and enjoy the community they create!
At Better Angels, we understand that our neighbors experiencing homelessness deserve the same dignity, agency, and community we all want. By supporting our Services events, our volunteers provide immediate, tangible support to unhoused and housing-insecure neighbors while creating connections and strengthening the community.
Our community events feature warm welcomes, friendly conversations, space to relax while listening to inspiring live music, interactive games and opportunities to create art together. We enjoy sharing warm, delicious meals and offer hygiene supplies, device charging stations, and fast, easy access to vital services such as medical screenings, legal aid, mental health resources, and more. Behind every one of these wonderful options is a volunteer. An Angeleno who chose to spend 2 hours together instead of alone, giving not taking, accepting instead of judging, and serving instead of retreating.
Who are the caring neighbors powering our engine for hope? Why do they do what they do? Let’s meet some of them.
Stories of Compassion and Commitment
For volunteers like Culver City’s Elizabeth Coombs, the journey began with a desire to stay engaged after another group she worked with disbanded. “I liked getting to know more about the people we served beyond just what they needed in the moment,” she said. From handing out clothes to managing the charging station, Elizabeth brings kindness and consistency to every interaction. One of her most memorable moments? Helping 60 people find a new pair of shoes at a resource day in Santa Monica. “It’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world,” she says, quoting Desmond Tutu.
Others, like Arlene Nilsson from West LA, were motivated by the cruelty they saw online. “I was sickened by the negativity and how some people who own homes just regard the homeless as trash,” she says. “They are not.” With Better Angels, Arlene has found a family of like-minded volunteers who believe, as she does, that everyone has inherent value. “It's wonderful. A real team spirit. I find that people who do this kind of work tend to be the highest-quality people. It’s an honor to meet them.” And what has the experience done for her? “I feel like I have a real purpose. Like I am really ALIVE!”
Different Skills, Same Mission
Not all volunteering looks the same. While some of our volunteers are on the ground distributing meals or cleaning up encampments, others, like Niharika Patil, lend their talents behind the scenes. A San Francisco-based product manager by training, Niharika has worked with our tech and UX teams remotely to help build out our tools for partner organizations like The Whole Child. “The continuous learning and personal growth that come with each volunteering experience keep me engaged,” she says. “Making a tangible difference in people's lives and seeing the positive impact on the community is incredibly motivating.”
This kind of flexibility and shared ownership is central to the Better Angels’ approach. We prioritize meeting people where they are, with care, dignity, and consistency. Volunteers help staff our Resource Days, work on key technical projects, and connect neighbors to resources such as the STEP Fund microloan program. Every role is valuable. Every act matters.
Finding Belonging Through Service
The thread that runs through every story is human connection.
Palms resident Ira McAliley, who first joined through a friend, says the most meaningful part of his experience has been “interacting with those who just need to be seen as human beings without judgment.” For Ira, volunteering is not just service—it’s spiritual nourishment. “It feeds my soul and helps the rest of my life flow with blessings,” he says.
Watch our Volunteer Spotlight with Ira!
Sai K., from West Los Angeles, signed up after seeing a meetup post about Better Angels and was drawn by the opportunity to do some good for the community. What she didn’t expect was the richness of the relationships formed. “It’s been a humbling experience,” she reflects. “I’ve learned so much from the people we serve and the volunteers beside me.”
And Sasha Couch, a longtime community volunteer in the Palms area, found something uniquely powerful at Better Angels. “It was more comprehensive than many orgs I’ve worked with before,” she says. “There were so many services available at the resource event, and the people being served spoke positively about it. That made a big impression.”
Watch our Volunteer Spotlight with Sasha!
Advice for Future Volunteers
Every volunteer started somewhere. And if you’re thinking of joining us, their advice is a great place to begin.
“Don’t worry if you don’t know what to do,” says Sasha. “Just go into it with an open mind and heart. The experience will be fun and fulfilling.”
Niharika recommends choosing a cause you’re passionate about and starting with manageable commitments. “Stay open-minded, seek guidance, and be consistent.”
Elizabeth urges new volunteers to embrace the long game. “Sometimes it’s discouraging to see the depth of need and know we can’t solve it all today,” she says. “But patient, collective action can bring about great change.”
And Arlene puts it simply: “Get ready for a long ride—because this will be your new love.”
You Belong Here, Too!
At Better Angels, volunteering isn’t just about helping others—it’s about building our communities of care, one Resource Day, one conversation, one small act of humanity at a time.
This Volunteer Week, we invite you to be part of something personally rewarding and profoundly impactful. Whether you want to roll up your sleeves and serve hot food, use your professional skills to support a virtual project, contact other volunteers to help them connect to a great opportunity, or simply show up and listen, there’s a place for you in the Better Angels family.
Join us today. Visit volunteer.betterangels.la to sign up to volunteer.
Let’s keep showing up. Together.
