We recently connected with Yana Shmuliver and have shared our conversation below.

Yana, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

A prolific Humanitarian & Philanthropist. My legacy is that of the human experience-Refuse Nobody in their basic needs while walking this place called earth. To enrich the human experience, rebuild courage and strive to give hope and inspire the lives of the communities I serve in the County of Los Angeles and beyond.

Yana, 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?

The Mission of KAUSE is provide fast response of social and supportive services for men, women and children; to enrich the human experience, rebuild courage and strive to give hope and inspire the lives of the community we serve.

Who we are: Founded by a minority woman (Yana Shmuliver) with a simple passion to provide families and individuals; of all ages, with the tools and inner resources to become productive, stable and self-supporting members of the community. From our roots we have grown into a multifaceted social service organization.

What we do: We are a quick action response organization offering supportive services to men, women and children which includes an array of purposeful services that address safety, housing stability, mental health, education and vocational services and resources needed to empower and live a fulfilling and independent life.

And for who: Families and individuals who may find themselves in need of assistance both short and long term.

KAUSE is a grassroots Non-profit 501(c) 3 and services the needs for families, men women and children in the Greater Los Angeles Area and beyond.

How We Help 9all our services 7 programs are free)

Baby Diapers & Essentials Program services 1,723 families per month!
CA DMV ID Voucher
Non-perishable Groceries Giveaway
Children’s Books & School Supplies Giveaway
Mobile Medical Clinic STD’s Resources & Free Condoms
Mental Health Resources
Trained Domestic Violence Supportive Services
Women’s Community Support Group
Homeless Emergency Survival Kits
Computer Literacy Lab
Parenting Classes

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

At 17, Yana found herself pregnant, homeless and trying to survive in the heart of Skid Row in downtown LA. The first shelter she went to refused
to help her, as did the second and the third! She didn’t fit “their criteria”.

Trying to survive and care for her unborn child, Yana became so hungry she
began eating out of trash cans.

She did find a car where she was able to live for three weeks, but that only
made her more determined to eventually find a better way of caring for homeless
people who found themselves in her position.

That 17 year-old was me. And I’ve never forgotten the desperation, and the terrible feeling of being alone and unable to find any kind of help.

Ten years later, I turned that horrific experience into a new non-profit organization called K.A.U.S.E.-Karing Advocates United for Social Equality!

Started ten years ago in a tiny room of the apartment when I lived with my daughter, K.A.U.S.E. began feeding and clothing homeless mothers and children in the neighborhood, providing diapers, clothing and non-perishable food.

As the needs grew, so did K.A.U.S.E. From that tiny apartment to the garage in our home filled with emergency survival kits, canned food and diapers.

When COVID came along, demand for help tripled and even a garage now filled floor to ceiling with supplies wasn’t enough. Then, we were blessed by a local property owner who donated the 2,200 square foot space we now call home.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson is to never give up. The world will tear you down but the spirit will allow you to preserver if you just hold on and trust.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kause-la.org
• Instagram: @KAUSE_LOSANGELES_DALLAS
• Facebook: @KAUSELA