A Bit of Optimism How Losing Everything Taught Her to Help Everyone: Joan Howard’s Story
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Dec 9, 2025 
Joan Howard, a long-time volunteer and advocate with lived experience of homelessness, shares her inspiring journey from wealth to adversity. She discusses the transformative power of service and how Food on Foot provides essential support for those experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Joan breaks down misconceptions about homelessness, emphasizing its various forms, and highlights the importance of dignity in service. Through mentorship and community connection, she illustrates how both recipients and volunteers find purpose and rebuild their lives.
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From Trust Fund To Living In A Car
- Joan Howard lost her trust-fund wealth when an uncle gambled away the money and she became homeless while caring for her mother and three dogs.
- Jay Goldinger of Food on Foot paid her rent for a year, mentored her, and required she attend the food line and report weekly, which helped her rebuild.
A Meal Line That Builds Trust
- The food line functions as a dignity-first service hub that builds trust and connects people to social, legal, and medical resources.
- Practical, consistent contact on Sundays creates relationships that enable deeper support beyond handouts.
Jobs, Housing And A Savings Path
- Food on Foot assesses readiness, runs workshops, places people in jobs, and subsidizes housing while clients bank their paychecks.
- After 10–20 weeks clients save $5–6k, take over leases, and can pursue further education with mentoring and volunteer support.