Lena Kesden collected more than 300 pairs of jeans for homeless teenagers and donated them to Los Angeles Family Housing, an organization that provides shelter, medical care and other services for homeless families. Kesden presented the jeans at a special party at the transitional living center in North Hollywood on June 13. “Apart from being homeless, the kids are just like me in the sense that they still see images projected by the media and want things just like any kid would,’ said Kesden, a seventh grader at Wildwood. The young Palisadian came up with her community-service project and the recipient organization last winter with help from Cantor Chayim Frankel at Kehillat Israel. She requested jeans in lieu of presents for her April 12 bat mitzvah and her birthday party, which was held three weeks later. Kesden also made a flyer and distributed it to students at her school. In addition she wrote businesses about her project. Kesden received local help when Elyse Walker, after hearing about Kesden’s project, e-mailed 100 customers, which resulted in more than 80 pairs of jeans being donated, some from the store and some from customers. Swarthmore stores Ivy Greene and Boca also participated. Once the jeans were collected, Kesden worked with L.A. Family Housing staff Ruth Devine and Cecilia Ribakoff to plan the best way for their residents to receive them, which resulted in a party. Twenty residents ages 9 to 18 ate pizza, salad and cupcakes and watched the movie ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,’ with Kesden, her family and friends. Afterwards each child or teen resident received a pair of jeans. ‘I loved being at the shelter and physically handing out the jeans to each kid because you actually see the change, and are there to experience it,’ Kesden said. ‘Watching the kids smile and then take the jeans brings a feeling beyond explanation. Any individual can make a difference, even if it’s just handing out a pair of jeans.” The center, located on Lankershim Boulevard, has more than 100 homeless children and teens. Families are allowed to stay there up to two years, while parents obtain job, medical and living skills assistance. ‘This is the first time we’ve ever had a teen do a jeans project,’ said LAFH donation coordinator Ruth Devine. ‘This project was particularly welcome because everyone buys toys for the little kids, but we also need toiletries, canned goods and diapers. Perhaps the most neglected groups are boys and men: we had trouble finding gifts for Father’s Day. Lena’s project transcended the ages.’ The remaining jeans will be distributed by the organization to other centers. For more information about LAFH or donation ideas, visit www.lafh.org.
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