Skid Row gets mental health push with new initiative
A new organization is making waves in the heart of Los Angeles, specifically in the notorious Skid Row area. A New Era America, a privately funded group, is stepping up to address the homelessness crisis in the city by focusing on mental health first. Founder Samir Zakir believes that stabilizing individuals experiencing severe trauma or psychosis is crucial before rushing into rapid housing placements.
Skid Row, a 50-block area in downtown LA, is home to around 4,400 people experiencing homelessness, with more than half living unsheltered on the streets. The scene is grim, with tents lining the blocks, makeshift bedrooms and kitchens on sidewalks, open-air drug use, untreated mental illness, and chronic medical crises playing out in broad daylight.
Zakir emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma among the homeless population, stating that the loss of housing and support systems deeply impacts their mental state, affecting every aspect of their well-being. Despite massive public spending on homelessness programs in Los Angeles, thousands still remain on the streets.
A New Era America is taking a different approach with its “Kindness Pop-Ups,” where volunteers distribute essential supplies, connect individuals to licensed clinicians and medical professionals, and enroll them in a 90-day program called Forward Steps. Participants receive temporary housing, mental health counseling, medical support, and trauma-focused care, with therapies like EMDR and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
The organization has served 480 individuals across California, with 12 completing the full 90-day program and none of the graduates currently unhoused. While the numbers may seem small compared to the overall homeless population, Zakir sees it as proof of concept, focusing on outcomes rather than grant requirements.
A New Era America’s formal launch in Skid Row involves volunteers walking the streets, distributing supplies, and enrolling participants on the spot. Zakir emphasizes that this is not just a press conference but a call to action, aiming to make a real difference in the lives of those struggling on the streets of Los Angeles.
