Working to end homelessness one person at a time
Armando Parrish was only 16 when he founded this nonprofit to raise money to help people living on the streets. Besides helping with funding while transitioning to permanent housing, we provide Google certification training and other IT skills training, mentoring, and job placement services for people experiencing homelessness. We partner with homeless recovery centers to identify individuals ready for our program. We also work with local food banks to deliver food directly to people on the streets.
As a member of the Housing Forward's All Neighbor Coalition, we work as advocates to help individuals experiencing homelessness navigate the system to find a home.
EXCITING UPDATE! Lorenzo, who has been living in a tent under the high-five for the past 25 years, finally has a place to call his own. We were overwhelmed with joy as we helped him move into his very own apartment last week. This moment was especially meaningful for Armando and his mom, Gina, who have been bringing food and supplies to Lorenzo for the past 18 years.
Our mission is to help people experiencing homelessness permanently end their life on the streets. By recognizing income inequality as a root cause of homelessness, we've developed a program to teach the skills needed to earn a livable wage. Our computer skills certification program equips these individuals with the essential skills to pave the way toward a brighter future. Not everyone is suited for our program, so we work closely with other non-profits to identify another solution. Together, we strive to eradicate homelessness and build brighter, more stable lives for those in need.
We believe achieving this mission requires a steadfast commitment to equity and justice.
Inclusivity: We embrace diversity in all its forms, including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and socioeconomic status. We recognize that homelessness disproportionately affects marginalized communities, and we are committed to actively engaging with and centering the voices of those most impacted by this crisis.
Fairness: We are committed to dismantling systemic barriers that perpetuate homelessness. We strive to ensure that our programs and services are delivered impartially and without discrimination, providing equitable access to housing, support, and resources for all individuals in need.
Intersectionality: We acknowledge that homelessness is often the result of intersecting factors, such as poverty, discrimination, and mental health challenges. We will work to understand and address these complex issues comprehensively, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate.
Continuous Learning: We are dedicated to ongoing education and self-examination to identify and rectify any biases or disparities in our organization's policies, practices, and culture. We welcome feedback and input from our clients, staff, and community partners to help us improve our work.
Collaboration: We understand that solving homelessness requires a collective effort. We actively seek partnerships with other organizations, government agencies, and community stakeholders to leverage resources, share knowledge, and collectively advance our mission.
Advocacy: We advocate for policies and practices at the local, state, and national levels that prioritize housing as a fundamental human right and address the root causes of homelessness.
Transparency: We commit to being transparent about our goals, progress, and challenges in achieving equity within our organization and the broader community. We are open to dialogue and will actively communicate our efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
By adhering to these principles, we strive to create a more just and equitable society where homelessness is a solvable problem, not a perpetual crisis. Together, we can build a future where every person has a place to call home and the opportunity to lead a dignified and fulfilling life.
Organization name
Project Lorenzo, Inc.
Causes
Housing, Shelter & Homelessness
Operating Budget
Less than $100,000
Counties Served
Collin, Dallas
BIPOC Serving
Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx
BIPOC Leadership
Neither/None
Address
5435 N GARLAND AVE STE 140 # 511