Help us Give Rachel her Life Back

My beautiful friend Rachel...

After losing contact with Rachel for about 12 years, the magic of social media brought her back into my life a few months ago. Rachel is the most generous and nurturing friend I've ever had. Treating her friends to mani/pedi's, amazing restaurants, or a bucket of Coronitas and street tacos at Taco Surf just because. Never with an expectation of anything in return. I cannot put into words the amount of fun, laughs, love, and friendship she has brought to so so many people along the coasts of Belmont Shore, Seal Beach and wherever else she's put down roots. She was your favorite neighborhood waitress at Chuck's, bartender at Clancy's, and dance partner at Ripples. Her smile lights up the room, and her heart shines brighter than the California sun. After I moved to the Pacific Northwest, she traveled to come help me pick out our wedding attire at her own expense, and again to our wedding in the Oregon Wine Country, and was the best bridesmaid I could have ever asked for. Giving everything she had to help make my wedding amazing.

Fast forward a decade, and I finally found her again, and I am so grateful to have her back in my life. Unfortunately, time has not been kind to Rachel. I don't know why the world is so hard on the most beautiful of souls, but now I want to show Rachel all of the kindness, love, and generosity that she has shown the world, especially in her darkest hours. After battling and defeating alcoholism, and enduring challenges with mental illness, Rachel needs our help now more than ever. She has been homeless for years, living in city parks and the streets of Arcadia, CA.

Rachel was abused and beaten by police officers sworn to protect and serve. She has been robbed, assaulted, verbally abused, and harassed, for simply being homeless. After falling and breaking her wrist this past year Rachel is unable to work. She suffers from unimaginable pain daily after three surgeries to try to fix her badly broken wrist, which left her middle three fingers stuck in a closed fist position with zero function. Between her physical disability, and her battle with mental health, she is unable to take care of herself financially. Currently, she is staying in an extended stay hotel, but that time is coming to an end due to the lifting of the housing eviction moratorium. She is working diligently in an attempt to work with social programs to secure housing, but the crisis is so large that getting through the system can seem futile. That's when we, private citizens, can really make a HUGE difference in a beautiful Athabaskan tribe goddess to once again have a safe place to sleep, and warm meals daily.

PLEASE join me to bring life back into her eyes. For her to feel the love and kindness of humanity. If you can give even just $10, or if you are more fortunate please give as much as you can. I realize that there are so many people out there in need, but I guarantee you that this money will change her life and will be well spent on housing expenses, utilities, and food.

It only takes a few of us citizens of the world to change a life...how can you not.

Peace and love to all,

Angela