HUMANITARIAN DAY23 RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN LA

#UnityInDiversity the 23rd Annual Humanitarian Day of Action aims to build empathy and connection through service

(Los Angeles, CA 4/10/23) — ILM Foundation (Intellect-Love-Mercy) leads HUMANITARIAN DAY (HDAY) event on April 16, serving people experiencing homelessness in honor of Ramadan.

The ILM Foundation established Humanitarian Day during the Holy Month of Ramadan to uplift the unhoused. Through their efforts, they aim to spread awareness about housing insecurity and encourage individuals to make a positive impact by volunteering to distribute essential supply bags and offer medical and dental screenings.

HDAY aims to build connections with the people served on April 16th. This year’s theme #UnityThroughDiversity highlights intrafaith and interfaith collaboration.  It also marks the return of Humanitarian Day back to Downtown LA.

Naim Shah Jr. says, “According to Muslim traditions, neighbors have the right to loan, donations, or assistance.“ Whether housed or unhoused, the right to adequate housing is a human right, according to Article 25 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 11.1 of the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. With over 59% of Americans one paycheck away from homelessness the organizers emphasize building empathy. Diverse stakeholders will join the Coalition to Preserve Human Dignity on April 16th.  The Coalition works with all sectors of society, those directly impacted—local residents, congregations, nonprofits, local and state government, and corporations.

 

HUD reported that in January 2022, 582,462 people experienced homelessness across the country. Some studies show that despite being undercounted, records indicate an 18% increase in homelessness.  California has the highest rate of homelessness and represents half of the country’s unsheltered population. California has over 160,000 inhabitants experiencing being unhoused, with 70,000 in Los Angeles County alone. In the article “Homelessness is a Housing and Racism Problem” Bill Pitkin writes, “Centuries of discrimination, from slavery to Jim Crow and segregation to redlining and mass incarceration, have generated intergenerational racial inequality that has created the conditions for housing insecurity and homelessness today.” Black people account for 37% of the population experiencing homelessness, although making up only 13% of the population. The April 16th HDAY event will include a teach-in about the humanitarian crisis.

This year’s #UnityThroughDiversity Humanitarian Day Ramadan Campaign marks the beginning of ILM’s annual distribution goal of 10,000 care packages throughout California. Other locations include Oakland (MU’EED), San Bernardino (Sahaba Initiative), Pomona (A Couple of Brothers), and Pasadena (R.E.B.O.U.N.D.). See below for details and donation lists:

HDAY Wish List:

  • Wired Notebooks
  • Bottle Waters
  • First Aid Kits
  • Rain Ponchos
  • White Tee Shirts
  • Undergarments size M/L
  • Feminine Care Products

Event: Humanitarian Day

Save the Date: April 16, 2023

PDF Flyer: 2023 HDAY Unity Through Diversity

Time: 9 am – 2 pm

Where: Maple & 6th Street in Downtown Los Angeles

For press inquiries contact margari.hill@gmail.com