A Message from the founders |
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Dear Water Drop Family, A little over three months ago, Water Drop was founded with the mission of distributing clean drinking water to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. In those three months, thousands of community members have received safe, clean drinking water, food, and other necessities. None of this would have been possible without the support of almost 200 volunteers, many of whom return week after week. We are so grateful for the 10,000+ individual donors who have contributed to our mission, donating anywhere from enough for one bottle of water to enough for hundreds of people. These donations provided life-saving hydration during this summer's heatwaves, while also aiding in personal health and hygiene - two things that are especially vital in the COVID-19 pandemic. Our weekly drops provide a temporary solution to combatting the urgent crisis of water insecurity, while we continue to work towards the long term goals of holding elected officials accountable, uplifting education and sustainability initiatives, and fighting structural inequality. Thank you for your support thus far! ~Catie, Aria, and Kate |
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18,236 Gallons | 12,865 16.9oz Bottles 5,994 1.5L Bottles | 16,800 Pathwaters 17,512 Granola & Protein Bars | 7,700 Gatorades | 3,960 Servings of Fruit |
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Our volunteers pack their cars and trucks with water and head to an assigned section of Skid Row or a nearby area of Downtown Los Angeles. With 40+ volunteers every drop, we are able to distribute water to all 50 blocks of Skid Row, reaching 1,000+ people. We also underscore the importance of person-to-person conversations and interactions. This is another reason why we send our volunteers to every block of Skid Row. By building relationships with members of the community, we hope to serve as a trusted resource and friend to residents. | | |
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We are also SO excited to announce our partnership with Pathwater - thanks to Path, we are able to distribute clean, safe drinking water in reusable aluminum bottles that last for months & keep water cool. |
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When our volunteers head out each week to distribute water, thanks to in-kind donations and partner organizations, we also deliver food items, clothing, hygeine items, and other essentials. However, as it gets colder, we are fundraising for winter protective items such as tents, tarps, and sleeping bags. Help us keep our community warm and dry this winter! |
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Our ValuesAdvocacy We advocate for accountability from our government officials and for education on structural racism and anti-saviorism.
Community
We seek to be sustainable in our efforts by prioritizing and centering local communities in our work. We believe that access to water, food, and housing is what creates healthy communities.
Authenticity We require full transparency and accountability from our organization.
Collaboration We strive to create strong partnerships with other organizations that work to combat the consequences of systemic marginalization; together, we foster horizontal linkages and bottom-up strategies that build informed and critical consciousness.
Equity We value inclusivity and recognizing how structural racism plays into water insecurity. |
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Thank you for your support! |
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Thank you to the organizations that have been working in the spaces of homelessness and structural inequalities who have made the work we do possible. Our work is informed by the decades of organizing and activism that came before us. We'd also like to thank the other activists & organizations that we have collaborated with to provide mutual aid to our communities. Our community partners thus far have included: - Project Ropa - Torch Global Inc. - Homeless Health Care - People's Pantry LA - Suitcase Joe Foundation - Catch 21 - Love My Neighbor Foundation - Mutual Aid Action LA - Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council - SELAH - Community Loving - Venice Culver P4U - Mutual Aid Hollywood - De Campesinxs a Campesinx - Echo Park Rise Up - Materials & Applications - Dig Deep Water - |
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