Keep B.Y.O. Games Open for East LA Community
Donation protected
Help Us Keep B.Y.O. Games Thriving in East LA
Hi everyone,
We’re a couple born and raised in Boyle Heights, and we proudly opened B.Y.O. Games, the first video game lounge in East Los Angeles. Since day one, our goal has been to create a safe, affordable, and welcoming space where families, friends, and gamers of all ages can connect, have fun, and build community.
But today, we’re at risk of closing our doors — and we need your help to keep B.Y.O. Games alive.
Why We’re Asking for Help
Unfortunately, we were both hit hard with illness for nearly a month this February, and on top of three slow months before that, we fell behind on rent and bills. Economic shifts have brought new challenges, from rising costs to changing customer priorities. As a small, independent business, we don’t have backup funding or investors — it’s just us, working hard to create something special for East L.A.
We’ve done everything possible to catch up, but without your support, we may have to shut down this community space we've worked so hard to build.
How We Plan to Use the Funds
Every dollar you donate will directly support B.Y.O. Games' survival and growth by helping us:
Catch up on overdue rent and utilities to keep the lights on and doors open.
Continue sponsoring the local high school eSports team — and expand this opportunity to more high schools, offering a safe, fun place for students to play and learn.
Provide snacks and drinks to our sponsored students, something we’ve always wanted to do but haven't been able to afford.
Offer gaming classes surrounding the basics, to teach all age groups how to play competitive games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with coaches to guide them.
Expand our game library, purchase more controllers and equipment, and launch controller cleaning repair services
Spruce up our storefront and lounge interior, making it a more inviting, creative, and fun space that reflects the spirit of our community.+
Partner with local organizations, emerging artists, and small vendors to share our space for events that uplift, support, and give back to the community.
Why B.Y.O. Games Matters to East L.A.
B.Y.O. Games is more than just a game lounge — it’s a homegrown community hub.
- We host affordable tournaments and events so kids and adults have a safe place to hang out.
- We sponsor youth eSports teams, providing kids access to our gaming facility and equipment.
- We offer birthday parties, gatherings, and a space to meet new friends in a neighborhood that deserves more creative outlets.
- For many who can't afford expensive consoles at home, we provide a place to play, belong, and be themselves.
Looking ahead, we want B.Y.O. Games to be a space where local organizations, artists, and vendors can hold events, pop-ups, and workshops—creating more opportunities for everyone in East L.A.
If B.Y.O.Games has ever meant something to you — if you’ve joined a tournament, made a friend here, or just love the idea of a space like this in our neighborhood — please consider donating. Even $5 or $10 makes a difference, and if you can’t donate, sharing this page with friends, family, and on social media is a huge help. Thank you for reading, supporting, and believing in us. Let’s keep B.Y.O. Games alive — for our community, and for the future of gaming in East L.A.
With love and gratitude,
The B.Y.O.Games Family
Organizer
Joannalyn V
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA