We recently connected with Jamies Shuford and have shared our conversation below.

Jamies , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

The early days of Skidrow Advocacy Group Inc. was an interesting time in Los Angeles. I was working as a homeless advocate with Lamp I was a bit curious why so many people was homeless and I ask myself why was I homeless my rent was high and the job didn’t pay enough (Getting Back On Topic) So as time passed by I Truly understood homelessness the why,the prevention, and a solution. All this was based upon my experience So I come with an idea told two other friends and we started the plan to eradicate homelessness and poverty by storytelling and having faith to create change. Many Agencies in Skid Row didn’t like the idea on how we addressed homelessness it took funding away from them no homeless no money this what set us apart from the other Agencies So we started gathering friends we knew that’s still unhoused and held conversations about what they needed to end the cycle of homelessness So Lamp founder Molly heard what I was doing and said ” you can get funding for what you’re doing” and many others said the same. I’m How to do it. We finally figured it out a 501(c)(3) What the heck is that it was explained to me in detail we set out to get this 501(c)(3). That was accomplished now what. I started to learn about funding Let me put it like this your mission statement must reflect your funders, corporate funders that means to me I must do what they say that didn’t settle well we created our own funding and did pretty well for the first ten friends/clients we had I made a promise to everyone stick with my vision I’ll show you how to come out of homelessness it worked. The main steps in creating anything.
1 To Believe In Yourself
2.Learn as much as you can about the business (Eradicating Poverty & Homelessness) is my Business
3.Do your research
4.Create a good team family,friends,and like minded individuals.
5.Deliver a plan that will ignite passion in your team.
6.Be RESILIENT!
We had our share of challenges from well established Agencies, City Ordinances (zoning laws), and even the homeless. We Got around it we worked out of a Hotel we managed to get five rooms one room was office space, second room was storage space the other three rooms was emergency homeless housing
The million dollar question is this would I have done anything differently from what I know now.
No. Why This Answer? I’m Staying In The Moment No Regrets. My Advice Will Be Trust The Process, Stay In The Moment And Be Ready To Seize The Opportunity.

Jamies , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Jamies Shuford Chicago native moved to Los Angeles 1978. I got involved with social issues Homelessness, Poverty, and Food Insecurity because these Issues was dominanting my community that led many to Skid Row including Myself. I wanted to change my situation and that what I set out to do. How? It was easier than I though it would be. The first thing I had to do was create a different mindset of my situation which allowed me to be ready for opportunities and it wasn’t many opportunities I stayed RESILIENT started learning more about these social issues created a coalition of like minded individuals who wanted their situation to change as well, talked with businesses that was involved with homelessness Mollie Lowery Of Lamp Communit. Mollie gave me the motivation that changed my life forever. So I Created Skidrow Advocacy Group Inc. based on the purpose to Eradicate Homelessness and Poverty. What set us apart from other agencies setting a foundation for individuals to have a voice on how to come out of homelessness, poverty and everything negative about being homeless. We used the tool of storytelling our own stories to inspire and motivate many who could relate and the people who couldn’t relate We made them believers. So many self help projects we created in Skid Row that was vital to many individuals to self advocate and to teach others like I was taught by Mollie. I’m most proud of my Long Beach years all the work I did in Skid Row really showed itself in Long Beach Skidrow Advocacy Group Inc placed 30 families in Long Beach By Inspiration and Motivation ten of these families approached me “hey you live in Long Beach also” Yes I do. Now you see when why I always said it will take me minutes to get to you for case management. That’s when I learned more about Food Insecurities And The Creation Of East Village Food Pantry came into existence to address our families we placed in Long Beach and Collaborating with Long Beach Food Partners Like Long Beach Community Table, Which I Currently sit on the Board of Directors, The Food Bank Of Southern California Jeann Cooper showed me the business side of Food Insecurity, and the Aids Food Store Of Long Beach taught me the nutrition value of food. Currently I’m on three boards in the city of Long Beach The Continuum of Care Co-Chair, Long Beach Homeless Coalition, and Long Beach Community Table These Boards I allow me to continue storytelling it gives me time to focus on philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, public service and humanitarian needs in California. “If I Can Do It You Can Do It”

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being Passionate.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

It’s Simple Being A Servant Leader. Surrounding Yourself With Like Minded Individuals. Trusting Your Team. Being Open To Suggestions.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.skidrowadvocacy.org
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/james.shuford.7587

Image Credits
Art Simon, Douglass Brown