May 2025 Newsletter

Depaul USA - Los Angeles is a nonprofit organization inspired by Vincentian values and co-sponsored by the Daughters of Charity. We serve homeless and housing-insecure individuals. We operate Casa Milagrosa, a Day resource center, and the Dax House, a home for homeless college students. We aim to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it.

Director's Note:

Dear Friends of Depaul USA - Los Angeles,

It feels like just yesterday we were connecting through our last official newsletter, and yet, so much incredible progress has unfolded here in Los Angeles over the past five months. As we step into May, I'm thrilled to share the vibrant story of our journey and the profound impact your unwavering support has had on the lives of countless individuals.

We are particularly proud to announce a truly remarkable milestone from our 2024 Annual Report: Depaul USA - Los Angeles accounted for an astounding 45% of all clients served nationwide! This achievement is a powerful testament to the dedication of our team, the effectiveness of our programs at Casa Milagrosa and the Dax House, and, most importantly, the profound difference you make every single day. We invite you to delve deeper into the impact of your generosity by reading the full 2024 Annual Report, which explores our powerful theme of "Why" we work tirelessly to end homelessness and change lives.

Looking ahead, we're excited to invite you to two fantastic fundraising events designed to bring our community together and continue this vital work:

• Taste of Depaul: Join us on Sunday, June 29th, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at St. Vincent Parish for an afternoon brimming with delicious food, refreshing drinks, delightful spirits, lively entertainment, fun lawn games, and exciting raffles! This event directly supports both Casa Milagrosa and the Dax House, and it's a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our programs while enjoying a vibrant community gathering. We highly encourage you to secure your tickets soon to help us with our planning!
• Depaul Charity Golf Tournament and Luncheon: Tee off with us for a day of camaraderie on Friday, September 12th, from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm at the California Country Club. Not a golfer? Join us for the luncheon at 12:00 pm and be part of the celebration!

More details on both events can be found further in this newsletter.

Beyond these events, Depaul USA - Los Angeles is actively forging exciting new partnerships with other organizations to expand our programming and offerings for both Casa Milagrosa and the Dax program. In fact, our Dax program is currently in the process of expanding to serve even more students in need. We are incredibly enthusiastic about these collaborations and will share more details with you in upcoming newsletters once these partnerships are solidified.

As our programs expand and the cost of providing next-level care rises each year, your ongoing support remains absolutely crucial. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a tangible difference. Contributing is easy and impactful: you can visit our website, select items from our Amazon Wishlist, or send direct support via Venmo to @Depaul_USA (under Charities, please write LA in notes).

Your belief in our mission, whether through volunteering your time, making a financial contribution, or attending our events, is the driving force that propels us forward. We are profoundly grateful for your continued partnership and generosity, which truly transform lives.

With sincere gratitude,

Guillermo “Memo” Vidaurri - City Director

Please follow us on our social media channels for daily updates and stories of impact!

2024 Annual Report: Exploring our "Why"

We are thrilled to share with you Depaul USA's 2024 Annual Report, an inspiring journey that delves into a powerful question: Why does Depaul USA tirelessly work to end homelessness and change lives every single day?

Inside this report, you'll discover the profound, measurable difference your support has made across communities nationwide. Our "why" truly begins and ends with people like you — our dedicated donors, tireless volunteers, and passionate advocates — who believe that everyone deserves the dignity and security of a place to call home.

We invite you to read the full report and celebrate the incredible impact we've accomplished together. Click on this link to view the full story of our collective efforts.

https://depaulusa.org/annual-reports/

2024 Casa Milagrosa Statistics

A Year of Expanded Reach and Impact

We are immensely proud to present the incredible progress made at Casa Milagrosa throughout 2024. It was a truly fruitful year, where our commitment to radical hospitality allowed us to almost double the number of guests we served compared to 2023. These statistics reflect not just numbers, but the lives touched, the meals provided, and the steps taken towards stability for countless individuals in the MacArthur Park area.

We invite you to explore the detailed breakdown below, which showcases the breadth and depth of our services and the growing need in our community.

Upon closer examination of the numbers, Depaul USA - Los Angeles truly stands out. We are proud to report that our Los Angeles programs alone accounted for an astounding 45% of all clients served by Depaul USA across its twelve cities nationwide in 2024! This remarkable reach is underscored by Casa Milagrosa serving a total of 2,855 unique clients over the year, accumulating an impressive 47,472 total visits. Our dedication to providing comprehensive support is evident in over 28,000 meals served and nearly 1,500 hygiene services provided.

This vital work is made possible not only by our dedicated staff but also by the incredible support of our 284 unique volunteers, who contributed over 9,000 hours of their time, a testament to the community's commitment to our mission.

TASTE OF DEPAUL 2025

Taste of Depaul 2025 – An Afternoon of Flavor for a Cause!

Get ready to mark your calendars! Join us for the highly anticipated Taste of Depaul on Sunday, June 29th, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at St. Vincent Parish. Prepare for an unforgettable afternoon brimming with delicious food from local favorites, refreshing drinks, spirits, vibrant entertainment, engaging lawn games, and exciting raffles! This signature event directly raises vital funds to support the transformative programs at Casa Milagrosa and the Dax House. Come learn more about the incredible impact we're making in Los Angeles and how your participation fuels our mission.

Your early ticket purchase is crucial! To ensure we can plan a fantastic culinary experience and accurately gauge the amount of delicious food needed, please purchase your tickets as soon as possible. Your promptness helps us make this event the best it can be for everyone!

Want to be a Sponsor? View the sponsorship packet here!

Parking Information: We highly recommend rideshare or public transportation to the event, or carpooling, as parking will be limited due to Sunday mass services at the parish. Parking is available at 2333 S. Figueroa St., 90007.

Volunteers needed for the Taste of Depaul!

Make a direct impact at our upcoming Taste of Depaul event! We are actively seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help make this special day a success. We need approximately 30 dedicated individuals to assist with various roles, including event setup, guest registration, serving delicious food and drinks, selling raffle tickets, maintaining clean tables, and assisting with event breakdown.

This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your time and energy to a vital cause, directly supporting the programs at Casa Milagrosa and the Dax House. Your involvement is invaluable!

To learn more about available shifts and to sign up, please visit our LA Works site:

LA Works Volunteer Opportunity

Share Your Flavor at Taste of Depaul!!

Do you have a delicious food, refreshing beverage, or unique snack product you'd love to share with a vibrant community? Depaul USA - Los Angeles invites all food and drink producers, chefs, bakers, and caterers to be a featured vendor at our annual Taste of Depaul Food Festival! This is a fantastic opportunity to not only showcase your culinary creations or products but also to give back to a vital cause.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of delicious food, refreshing drinks, lively entertainment, and strong community spirit. It's all happening on Sunday, June 29th, from 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, on the beautiful lawn of St. Vincent Parish (at Figueroa & Adams).

Becoming a vendor offers incredible benefits:

• Gain Exposure: Reach new customers and expand your brand's presence among local food lovers and supporters.
• Community Connection: Engage directly with the vibrant Los Angeles community.
• Support a Vital Cause: All proceeds from the Taste of Depaul directly benefit Depaul USA - Los Angeles's crucial programming at Casa Milagrosa and the Dax House, helping those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in our city.

We're eager to feature a diverse range of culinary talents and product offerings to make this year's festival the best yet! Limited vendor spots are available, so don't miss out on this unique opportunity.

Ready to join us and make a difference, one delicious bite (or sip!) at a time? Contact us directly at LA@depaulusa.org or call Isela at 626-484-5999 to secure your spot! Download the packet here!

Charity Golf Tournament & Luncheon

While our focus is currently on the "Taste of Depaul," we're also teeing up for our annual Depaul Charity Golf Tournament & Luncheon! Mark your calendars for Friday, September 12th, at the California Country Club. Golfers can enjoy a day on the greens from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm, and for those who prefer to join for camaraderie and connection, our luncheon begins at 12:00 pm.

This event is a fantastic opportunity to support Depaul USA – Los Angeles, and we are actively seeking passionate sponsors to help make it a resounding success. Do you know a company or business that would like to make a significant impact while gaining valuable exposure? Early sponsors will have the unique advantage of being prominently featured on all our marketing materials leading up to the event!

Sign up to be a Volunteer!

Have some free time and a heart for helping others? We encourage you to sign up as a volunteer. We invite you to join our dedicated team and witness firsthand the transformative power of volunteerism.

Click here to sign up for our hosted daily Hot Breakfast Service

Click here to sign up for our Monthly Food Distribution

What does your donation provide?

Los Angeles faces a rising tide of homelessness, but you can make a difference. Your donation to Depaul USA-LA isn't just charity; it's an investment in hope and human potential. Every dollar fuels our mission to empower our guests toward brighter futures.

Imagine the impact:

• $28: Provides 100 nutritious peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fueling guests out of hunger.
• $50: Provides 25 hot breakfasts, a simple touch that sparks nutrition.
• $100: 100 snack bags that say "we care" on every step of the path.
• $250: Sponsor the Pantry for a Day: Fund a morning's breakfast at Casa Milagrosa.
• $1000: Invest in six months of life-changing client-centered case management, opening doors to stable housing, jobs, and brighter horizons.

Your contribution, no matter the size, becomes a hand of support on their journey. Together, with Depaul USA and you, we build a future where everyone has a place called home.

Services We Offer at Casa Milagrosa:

Calendar of Events at Casa Milagrosa:

• UCLA Health Truck, every Tuesday - 8:00 am – 10:30 am
• Queen's Care, Every 1st and 3rd Thursday, - 8:00 am – 10:30 am
• Showers, Laundry, and haircuts every Thursday - Start time 8:00 am
• Art Classes, every other Monday - Start time 9:00 am
• St. Louise Resource Case Manager every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 8 am to 11:00 am
• Food Distribution Event, Every third Wednesday - Start time 8 am until we run out
• Waterbox, every Monday & Friday - Start time 8:45 am

For more information, please contact us at 213-294-2440 or casa.milagrosa@depaulusa.org

Casa Milagrosa | 161 S. Alvarado St. Los Angeles, CA 90057

213-294-2440 | Info: casa.milagrosa@depaulusa.org

Dining Hall Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 11:00 am

Case Management Services 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm M-Th

Depaul USA - Los Angeles HQ| 2337 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90007

213-953-5333 | Info: LA@depaulusa.org

Business Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm