Dear Friends,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Shoes for the Homeless, Inc. due to a lack of funding. Since our establishment in 2011, we have proudly provided quality footwear to homeless men, women, and children across the United States.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our remarkable volunteers, board members, employee, and generous donors who have made this organization thrive for so many years. Together, we fostered a wonderful community committed to helping those in need. Your dedication during our volunteer events, processing and preparing shoes for distribution, has truly made a difference.

We also thank the many nonprofit organizations that partnered with us in our mission, including the Union Rescue Mission, Upward Bound House, and the Los Angeles Mission, among others. Together, we have reached countless individuals, ensuring they received a crucial item that provides comfort, protection, and the dignity they deserve.

To our board members—Rosie LaBriola, Roberta Flusser, Michael Hudson, Lynn Mathenia, Albert Vera, Ira Diamond, Peter Huang, and our past board members, Nina Moore, Marc Bauer, Jon Diamond, and Christopher King—your leadership and commitment have been invaluable.

A special thank you goes to our 450 students from 26 states who participated in our Volunteer Youth Ambassador program. Your creativity and inspiration were truly amazing as you helped thousands of individuals in need receive a good pair of shoes. Thank you to our employee, April Hudson- your leadership, and commitment to our Volunteer Youth Ambassador program has been crucial to our success.   

Special appreciation goes to West LA College and the support from Dr. Jim Limbaugh and his wife, Trish, who believed in our mission and vision from the beginning. Working with the Dr. Limbaugh, Trish and the West Wardrobe team at West LA College has been a cherished experience.

As we close our doors, we reflect on the impact we've made together, helping thousands of individuals gain not just shoes but also restored dignity and confidence. Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey. 

For me, creating Shoes for the Homeless, Inc. and helping so many people in need, was a dream come true!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Ira

Ira Diamond, DPM (retired)

Founder, Shoes for the Homeless, Inc.

Shoes for the Homeless, Inc.