At the Safe Parking LA Women’s Lot, we serve female-identifying individuals and families experiencing vehicular homelessness. During this co-led AWBW session, we served two female-led households with daughters ages 10 and 7, along with six single women participants. Many of the women attending were navigating additional challenges such as domestic violence, child custody battles, and the emotional impacts of homelessness.
To support the mothers’ participation in the workshop, staff also created a children’s group for the two young girls in attendance. This provided the mothers with the opportunity to fully engage in the activity while allowing the children to participate in their own age-appropriate group experience.
During the workshop, participants were provided mason jars and given the option to create either a money jar to encourage saving habits or an affirmation jar to promote positive thinking and self-encouragement. Dinner and relaxing music were also provided to help create a welcoming, calming, and inspiring environment. Some women actively engaged during the creation portion, while others preferred to be “O.W.L.S.,” choosing instead to Observe, Witness and Listen. Even those who preferred to observe were open to taking a mason jar and supplies with them to complete their project at a later time.
This workshop successfully brought the Women’s Lot community together and fostered connection among participants and staff. The evening created a rare sense of calm, safety, and community that is often difficult to experience while living in vehicular homelessness. Many participants expressed that they did not want the night to end because of the peaceful and communal atmosphere.
Before concluding the evening, the group collectively agreed to hold a similar workshop next month at the office location, which will again include dinner and an opportunity for participants to share how they utilized their money or affirmation jars. Additionally, many of the women attending were new to the lot, making this workshop a meaningful opportunity to build rapport with their case managers and Safe Parking LA staff while becoming more comfortable within the program.
Overall, this was a successful event that provided participants with a safe space, meaningful connection, and a sense of community. We look forward to continuing these workshops and hope to create similarly positive experiences in the future.
