On Saturday, April 12, Los Angeles Rams defensive back Troy Hillgifted Easter baskets to HomeLight Family Living and Peace4Kids to support families and foster youth that have been experiencing disproportionate hardship due to COVID-19.
Hill teamed up with Legacy Philanthropy to assemble baskets with cleaning supplies, grocery gift cards, puzzles, games, Easter eggs, sweets, and an iPad to ensure the children have access to their educational courses to successfully finish the school year. Each basket also contained a personalized letter from Hill.
"We wanted to do something during these times, and it was good to bring joy to kids that don't have access to the things my family and I might have access to. I wanted to be a big help," said Hill.
Considering the current demand for basic health and sanitary products, virtual educational tools and other resources, especially underserved communities, Hill and Legacy Philanthropy founder Laila Souktani believed it was essential to address the critical needs of these families during these unprecedented times.
"Aside from wanting to spread positivity and happiness within our community, we learned that there were very important needs that we had the opportunity to meet," said Souktani "The families at HomeLight were in need of food, cleaning supplies and other basic items. At Peace4Kids, there were 11 kids who didn't have access to their online classes. We were able to help provide a safer environment and access to education, which are both things that are important to Troy and I."
Hill and Souktani also made sure Easter baskets included something special for each family member and were tailored to their most critical needs.
"There was a sense of relief as the families got many of the essential items they needed," said Ricardo Rosales, Director of HomeLight Family Living. "The families especially loved that each basket was personal to their family. There was something for every child. The families felt really good knowing that the community cares and that the Rams and Troy care about them. Everyone was happy, appreciative and felt blessed to be part of this event."
A few of the recipient families took to social media to express their appreciation.
The HomeLight Family Living is a program that applies The Midnight Mission’s proven approach to homeless services to help families get the support they need to stay healthy and get back on their feet. HomeLight Familiy Living has a strong emphasis on achieving self-sufficiency through accountability, our families are given the opportunity to live in a clean, safe, learning-focused environment, empowering them to create a new life for themselves and their children.
Peace4Kids is a non-profit organization that services foster youth in the South Los Angeles area. The Peace4Kids vision of "community as family" provides consistency, stability and trust. Peace4Kids is uniquely positioned to provide valuable insight of individual resilience and health within a safe community.
