Emily Lerman

Councilman Tom LaBonge welcomes Dr. Matthew Spitzer and Doctors Without Borders to Griffith Park (Photo by Emily Lerman for LAist) Doctors Without Borders' "A Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City" opened yesterday in Griffith Park. Councilman Tom LaBonge joined Dr. Matthew Spitzer, MSF USA Board President, at a press conference yesterday morning, as Spitzer explained the treacherous journey across the Gulf of Amman that thousands of Somalians have taken to escape the...

SCHOOL ON WHEELS ART EXHIBIT: In a country where we spend three times more per prisoner than public school student, it's crucial we support those organizations dedicated to education. Over the summer, School on Wheels (previously mentioned on PhiLAnthropist) paired up some students with art teacher Clinton Bopp, from the Brentwood Art Center. Bopp volunteered his time with the students, helping them create a couple of different projects while allowing them to realize their creative...

TOP CHEF: Well not exactly, but the Covenant House in Hollywood seeks guest chefs to share their love of cooking and baking with 18-21 year old homeless youth on Sunday evenings. The Covenant House provides food, shelter and counseling as well as education, job skills training, and employment placement to youth living on the street in hopes of forging a brighter future for each individual. They offer mentoring opportunities as well. Contact their volunteer coordinator...

Photo by jimw via Flickr DRINK ABSINTHE AND WATCH "THE BIRDS": This Sunday, The Edison downtown celebrates the 45th Anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". Originial stars Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor will be in attendance at this "once in a lifetime celebtration" to which a portion of proceeds will go to the Jules Verne Charity Educational Mission. The organization is dedicated to "education and conservation though imagination", all in the name of saving...

"The measure of any society is how they treat their weakest element. The widows, the orphans, the strangers on the land. How we do anything is how we do everything. We're not doing so well on Skid Row." ~ Sam Slovick For many people living in Los Angeles, Skid Row truly embodies the phrase "out of sight, out of mind". The homelessness, drug abuse, prostitution, violence and mental illness that continue to thrive on Skid...

Photo by nailmaker via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr The "theme" of this week's PhiLAnthropist is giving back by donating goods. With so many organizations in LA in need of different items, it's hard to know where to go. The following is a brief list of some solid organizations that could use a few things. And even though they have not been specifically listed, many, if not all, of these organizations offer a variety...