PROJECT EDUCATE

Project EDUCATE (also referred to as PJE), founded in 2018 by CEO LaTanya Sherman, is a Los Angeles based 501(c)(3) non-profit that seeks to exemplify the much-needed change in response to Los Angeles’s homeless tragedy. Project EDUCATE envisions communities in which all of its residents have access to humane and dignified housing conditions and basic necessities for their sustainment. Project EDUCATE embodies this vision and its mission statement through its 5 flagship programs (FED, TAG, BLOOM, HOPE, and SWAP) and other initiatives which all work toward a common goal of “Teaching People How to Live in Spite of Where They Live.” Since its inception, Project Educate has been recognized by local magazines and radio stations including Shout Out LA, Voyage, Playa Vista Magazine, Rebel, 102.3 KJLH, and 93.5 KDAY. The organization was also awarded the EFDI Humanitarian Award in 2023. The founder, LaTanya Sherman, was homeless in early 2000 and brings personal experiences, a passion for change, and an educational background in social and behavioral science into her humanitarian work. The 7-member volunteer board of directors includes professionals in the fields of law, national security, education, finance, healthcare, and business—drawing on diverse expertise and experience in support of Project EDUCATE’s mission. Our vision is to transform hopelessness into purpose, desperation into motivation, and feelings of defeat into empowerment. We want to cultivate a path of independent and balanced living while providing motivation along the way. Since 2018, Project EDUCATE has had the privilege of servicing thousands of individuals and intends to provide support to thousands more through our ever-expanding programs and community support. We are committed to our mission of being the change we want to see. Los Angeles is one of the nation’s trendsetting cities, historically laying out the blueprint for cultural change across the United States. Project EDUCATE actualizing its vision would have a massive impact not just locally—but nationally and globally—on how homelessness is addressed.
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Our 5 Flagship Programs:

1. FED - Food, Education, and Diet, also known as FED, is revolutionizing the intersection of health education and accessibility to it for populations who need it the most. Out of all of PJE’s programs, FED emphasizes our mission statement of “Teaching People How to Live in Spite of Where They Live” the most through educating our unhoused population on the importance of health as a foundation for fulfilled living. FED also seeks to make a healthier lifestyle in reach for our unhoused population regardless of their current condition. This is achieved through initiatives that not only provide nutrition education and opportunities to engage physical fitness, but also initiatives that bring healthy nutritious options to the forefront such as our FED grab-and-go events that allow individuals to grab a bag and fill it with fresh produce for free empowering them with the option to take an active role in their health. FED has big ambitions to expand beyond this as PJE intends to establish a community garden in which we can teach hands on how to grow food and sustain health through it. FED’s major accomplishments so far include having been able to subsidize healthy produce for hundreds of individuals and families who otherwise would not have had access to it and being able to address nuanced health disparities through our annual “Black History Month: Heart and Soul for the Homeless” event.

Events and Initiatives:
Heart & Soul Event (annually)
Heart & Wellness (annually)

2. TAG - Toiletries and grooming, also known as TAG, was established in 2019 and seeks to restore dignity to our unhoused population by providing basic essential commodities such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine products, and more. TAG initiatives have ensured that hundreds in tent cities across LA County have access to what they need in order to feel whole. Commodities have extended beyond basic hygienic products at times and have even included clothing, medication, and contraception. TAG is all about identifying basic pressing needs within LA county’s unhoused population and making fulfilling those needs accessible. Since being established, major TAG accomplishments included distributing hundreds of relief kits during the COVID-19 pandemic and our recurring hope and hygiene event which allows individuals to curate hygienic kits tailored to their individual needs. Do you have any bulk products you can donate to our toiletries and grooming program? If so, “TAG!”, you're it.

Events and Initiatives:
Hope & Hygiene (monthly)
Cuts & Convo (monthly)
Hygiene Kit Distribution (as needed)

3. BLOOM - Bringing Love, Opportunities, and Optimism to Moms, or BLOOM, is our annual event that advocates for women and their wellness. We provide workshops and talks on health, safety, beauty, and more! BLOOM offers direct relief to mothers through providing clothes, diapers, formula, and other maternity related necessities at no cost. We also open our space to aspiring female entrepreneurs, and give them an opportunity to express their creative passion to the community while also inspiring others to do the same. BLOOM highlights the important role of mothers in our community and the need to invest in their wellness. This is a space for the women in our community to affirm themselves, collaborate, and BLOOM.

4. HOPE - Homeless Opportunities to Pursue Education, or HOPE, is an extension of the intent of FED and seeks to stimulate intellectual development in other areas that can empower unhoused individuals to not only live fulfilled lives but sustain them. HOPE provides workshops that teach skills related to finance, business, culinary arts, and more. Major accomplishments of HOPE include our Kim Jackson Mathews scholarship which provides direct monetary assistance to college bound seniors, providing low-income K-12 students with necessary supplies to be successful in their studies, and providing individuals with the opportunity to work directly with attorneys to get their records expunged of anything that may be making opportunities for upward mobility difficult.

Events and Initiatives:
Kim Jackson-Matthews Scholarship Fund
Adopt-A-School
Back to School Giveaway

5. SWAP - Social Wellness Action Plan
Social Wellness Action Plan, known as SWAP, is perhaps our favorite program in the organization as its sole purpose is to celebrate joy and provide our unhoused community with space to be seen and their humanity to be recognized. SWAP hosts a range of interactive and fun events that bring the community together. These events include a range of things from movie nights to holiday celebrations. SWAP’s biggest accomplishment has been the inspiration that it’s been able to provide to individuals by showing them that even through the darkest of times there is some light that gratitude can be expressed for. The implication that SWAP programs have on their social and mental health is undeniable, and the program provides opportunities to creatively uplift and support our unhoused community.

Events and Initiatives:
Veteran's Recognition (monthly, annually)
Holiday Giving (annually)
Movie Day in Skid Row
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Special Projects:
Gumbo & Gratitude
Hope & Help (Eaton Fire Event)
Summer Survival (COVID - 3 Days of Hygiene Kit Distribution)
Hydration Station (Distribution of Bottled Water During High Temperature Days)
Women of Wellness (Union Rescue Mission Wellness Event for Women 3 years in a Row)
Sweet Saturday (Ice Cream Party in Skid Row, Angeles House & Raymond Ave Elem)