What We Learned from Humanitarian Day 2026

What We Learned from Humanitarian Day 2026: From Service to Lasting Impact

For over two decades, Humanitarian Day has been a commitment to service meeting people where they are with dignity and compassion. In 2026, that mission took on deeper meaning as we continued our work at Gladys Park in the heart of Los Angeles’ Skid Row. This year we experienced a moment of clarity.

Skid Row remains one of the most concentrated areas of homelessness in the United States. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, more than 75,000 people experience homelessness across Los Angeles County, with thousands living unsheltered in neighborhoods like Skid Row. Many face overlapping challenges, including long-term unemployment, lack of identification, and limited access to healthcare.



Research also shows that a significant portion of the unhoused population lives with chronic physical or mental health conditions barriers that make pathways out of homelessness even more complex.

And yet, within this reality, there are pockets of transformation.

The Power of Place: Why Gladys Park Matters

After more than 20 years of hosting Humanitarian Day on the streets, the transition to Gladys Park marked a turning point. For decades, local partners like OG N Service and the Skid Row Brigade have worked to transform the park into a space of safety, dignity, and community engagement.

When I arrived this year intentionally late, allowing new leaders to take ownership, I drove through stark contrasts. Just blocks away from downtown Los Angeles’ modern skyline, the environment shifted dramatically: visible poverty, overcrowded sidewalks, and the weight of long-term hardship.

Then, within moments, I reached Gladys Park. The difference was immediate: cleanliness, organization, energy. and humanity. This transformation was not accidental. It was the result of intentional service led by committed partners like LA Park Recreation, Skidrow Brigade, Stop the Violence Increase the Peace foundation and the team from the Al Hajj Malik El Shabbaz Islamic Center who prepared the space with care and purpose. What stood before us was more than a park. It was a model of what dignity-centered service can create.

Listening is one of the Most Powerful Forms of Service

This year, we made a deliberate shift: beyond distributing food, clothing, and essential resources, we focused on listening. Through our participant engagement surveys and direct conversations, we gained deeper insight into the lived realities of those we serve. Key Insights from the Community

Housing remains the most urgent need

• A strong majority of participants identified stable, permanent housing as their top priority.
• Many shared that they had been living in Skid Row for 10 years or more, highlighting the depth of chronic homelessness.

Lack of identification is a critical barrier

• Access to IDs, Social Security cards, and essential documentation was one of the most frequently requested forms of support. Without these, employment and housing opportunities remain out of reach.

Self-reliance is the default survival strategy

• Approximately two-thirds of participants described themselves as their primary support system.
• Many reported inconsistent or disrupted assistance, including frequent changes in case managers that forced them to restart their progress repeatedly.

Aging population facing layered challenges

• Most participants were between the ages of 40 and 65, navigating a combination of economic, social, and health-related hardships. 

Humanitarian Day 2026 By the Numbers

• While the impact of Humanitarian Day is deeply human, it is also measurable:
• Hundreds of volunteers mobilized across multiple cities
• Hundreds of community members served in Skid Row alone
• 1,000 HD Bags prepared of essential items, including food, clothing, and hygiene kits
• Access to health, wellness, eye screening services
• Dozens of community surveys collected to inform future programming from participants and volunteers

Human Dignity Makes the Difference

Despite the challenges they face, participant feedback about Humanitarian Day was overwhelmingly positive.

Most rated the experience as “Excellent” or “Very Good,” expressing appreciation not only for the services provided, but for how they were treated. Because for many, dignity is not something they experience daily.

From One Day of Service to a Movement of Change

Humanitarian Day has never been just about a single day. It is about building pathways to move individuals from survival to stability. The data and experiences from this year point us toward a clear next step.

At ILM Foundation, in partnership with the Coalition to Preserve Human Dignity, we are committed to expanding our impact beyond annual events by:

• Increasing access to ID and documentation services
• Strengthening partnerships for employment and workforce development
• Expanding year-round community engagement initiatives
• Deepening our listening and data-driven approach to service
• Because real change requires consistency.
• 
  

Every person we encountered carries a story of struggle, resilience, and survival. And every act of service carries an opportunity to restore hope, rebuild dignity, and empower. The work ahead reminded us that while one day can make a difference, lasting transformation requires sustained commitment.

We are extremely grateful to all our volunteers, sponsors, and organizations that support ILM Foundations humanitarian efforts through the Coalition to Preserve Human Dignity