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The Giving Station l.a. Mission
The Giving Station is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring dignity and empowering the lives of over 69,000* people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. We provide hygiene essentials like toothpaste, toothbrushes, socks, and soap to foster dignity and pride today and motivation to create a better tomorrow. We also distribute school kits to kids, including basics like pencils, paper, and crayons. Please join us in these small acts that can make a big impact.
Giving is a way of life.
*lahsa.org 9/22
ENGAGED
GRATEFUL
GIVE
REWARD
Kathrin Middleton, Founding Partner
I'm a Mom, Wife, and an Actress for 39 years. My life experience has shown me what it is to struggle, and sometimes feel like life isn’t on your side. Which is why many years ago, I began my journey of giving back. I have volunteered with Catholic Charities and many others that have touched my heart. Giving back is beyond rewarding, it has enriched my life deeply. I find that the more I give, the more alive and whole I feel. And giving back isn't just about supporting a charitable cause - - getting involved with the community and with my family is priceless. I have loved being a youth volleyball coach for boys and girls, introducing kids to a sport they might not other wise have had the to opportunity to experience.
My work has taken me around the globe where I've been lucky enough to experience other cultures and environments. It's given me a global perspective and I feel incredibly grateful for everything. When I see how challenging life can be for all of us at any given time, especially throughout 2020, it was impossible for me not to act, to give others that same opportunity to live in gratitude. And with that gratitude, I am thrilled to finally be able to create The Giving Station LA with my best friend and husband, who’s beliefs and desires are in alignment with my own. We believe giving back, even if it’s just a smile to someone you don’t know, creates change and engages us to the world, to our community to everyone around us. We hope you will engage with us, to give back, to provide what might seem small but can make a huge impact on someone's life. Together, we can make our world a better place.
CHANGE
HEAL
INSPIRE
PASSION
Kristin Carey, Founding Partner
As a graduate of The University of Southern California, with a BFA in Theatre, I have had the great fortune of working professionally in Film, TV and Stage for 30 years.
After suffering a severe back injury, I discovered Pilates during my rehabilitation and it changed my life. It inspired me to explore this form of healing and open my own Pilates Studio. It brings me so much joy to help people reach their goals and build their confidence. I have supported many charities over the years, but 2020 brought something different to the forefront. I had never witnessed such intense suffering and so many people in extreme need. My heart was broken on a daily basis and I needed to get into action. So I grabbed my best friend, who felt the same way, and The Giving Station LA was born.
We acknowledge how lucky we are and share the same passion to help those going through difficult times. We know we can make a difference.
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START SMALL
THINK BIG
FOCUS
DIFFERENCE
Richard Middleton, Founding Partner
I am a long-time resident of Los Angeles, California, arriving in 1984 after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, Political Science and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since 1993, I’ve worked extensively and successfully in the entertainment industry, the past twenty years as a Producer of both theatrical feature films and television series. I’ve been privileged to produce films that have garnered significant acclaim, with multiple invitations to screen those films at the prestigious Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals, culminating with THE ARTIST, which won the 2012 Academy Award for Best Picture.
My work has afforded me the opportunity to travel to many parts of the United States and the world. And no matter where those journeys have taken me, both here and abroad, the struggles of everyday men, women and children are unfortunately evident and so clearly in need of our assistance. “Making the world a better place” is a foundational belief of so much good philanthropy, and I believe the “world” we live in everyday, the local community that surrounds us, and binds us together, is the right place to start if we want to truly challenge ourselves and make a difference in the lives of others.
Start small. Think big. Be focused.
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I believe The Giving Station L.A. is an organization that promotes those objectives, and I am blessed to be a part of the team, putting the benefits of my success to work in the quest of improving the health, welfare and well being of others.
Board Members
Allyssa DelPiano
Allyssa DelPiano is a seasoned marketing executive who has worked for some of Hollywood's top studios including Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Paramount, Fox, Sony and STX Entertainment. She is currently a marketing consultant, website developer and designer for other companies including Twirls + Twigs Retail Store, Covet Retail and Realms of Healing. She is also a film producer. Her philanthropic endeavors have centered around education and community including 7 years on LAUSD's Encino Charter Elementary PTO board including Recording Secretary, VP of Fundraising with her final 2 years as PTO President. She is also very involved with fundraising and student centered events for Chaminade Middle and High School Campuses. In her free time, she is an accomplished artist and jewelry designer but her most important endeavor will always be - Mom to her beloved son and daughter.
After 30+ years residing in Los Angeles, Allyssa has moved to the Fingerlakes Region of New York as a Marketing Specialist for Cayuga Centers.
Laura Arceneaux
Laura Arceneaux is an educator and culinary enthusiast who spent her formative years living in the Middle East. Her family traveled throughout Europe and Asia, where she had the great fortune of being exposed to many diverse cultures, customs, and traditions. Her biggest inspiration has always been her father, who was a wonderful teacher and role model. Following in his footsteps, Laura worked as a teacher and administrator in Los Angeles schools for over twenty-five years. As a mentor, she will do whatever she can to kindle the fire of hope and help young people develop the skills and self-confidence necessary to pursue
success.
Laura believes the best way to make the world a better place is for each of us to reach out to our own community. The Giving Station L.A. provides an opportunity to help those in our own community to live a better life.
Stephanie Czajkowski
The granddaughter of a union organizer, and originally hailing from the Midwest, I was raised on the motto: “Give help when you can, it whatever way you can.” So often we believe in order to make a difference it must be in giant sweeping gestures, when really it’s the smallest of things that add up over time.
As a film/ television actress and a fitness instructor for over 20 years, the commonality in these seemingly disparate industries is the communities I have been blessed to be a part of all striving towards a common goal.
I am honored to be part of the The Giving Station L.A. , I believe the greatest changes always begin within your community, and I can think of no better way to start.
Michelle Rathgeb, MD
Dr. Michelle Rathgeb is an Internal Medicine Physician who has been practicing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for 23 years. She graduated Sum Cum Laude, 1st in her class at Washington & Jefferson College and then attended Medical School at The University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Rathgeb then did her residency and chief residency at The University of Pittsburgh. She was Phi Beta Kappa and a member of the Alpha Omega Medical Honorary Society. She has also been Castle Connelly’s Top Doctor in Pittsburgh 2016-2019.
During Dr. Rathgeb’s medical training in Philadelphia, she had the privilege of working in a Community Outreach Program, where she aligned with multiple non profit organizations to provide AIDS Education and Hygiene Kits to shelters throughout the city. This was so gratifying for her, that it inspired Dr. Rathgeb to choose a path in Primary care. This allows her to form lasting relationships with patients and give them the tools they need to take the best possible care of themselves.
Dr. Michelle Rathgeb’s unique perspective and passion for community health is a perfect fit with The Giving Station LA. She is so honored to be on this board and support this cause.