Tie The Knot Announces New Mission

With the launch of its new fall 2016 bow tie collection with The Tie Bar, Jesse Tyler Feguson's Tie The Knot announced a new mission rededicating itself to advocating for LGBTQ equality worldwide.

When Tie The Knot was founded in 2012  to advocate for marriage equality throughout the United States, only six states and Washington D.C. recognized marriages for same-sex couples. Today, having raised over $500,000 – three years and forty-four states later – the initial Tie The Knot goal of realizing full federal marriage equality was accomplished in June 2015. Same-sex couples across the country can marry in all 50 states and have their marriages recognized. 

Yet, there is still more work to do. In over thirty states, LGBTQ Americans lack federal protections in the workplace and are denied equal housing protection. Over 50% of LGBTQ Americans live in a state where they may be denied services based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Of the 1.6 million homeless youth in the United States, 40% identify as LGBTQ (compared to 7% of the general youth population) and an overwhelming majority name being ‘forced out’ or ‘ran away’ due to family conflict as the reason for their homelessness.

Tie The Knot has rededicated itself to advocating for comprehensive federal protections nationwide and LGBTQ equality around the world by financially supporting front-line organizations fighting for equality and human rights.

It's partnership with The Tie Bar offers a fun and innovative way for all Americans can support the LGBTQ community. $20 of every $25 Tie The Knot bow tie purchase at The Tie Bar (and $30 of every $35) is donated back to the organization so it can continue its new mission advocating for LGBTQ equality around the globe.

NLSLA Celebrates Just Neighbors 2016: Stronger Together

On Sunday, September 25, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County brought together community advocates, collaborative partners, government officials, family, and friends for their annual Just Neighbors event to celebrate NLSLA's innovative and transformative advocacy over the past year and to garner support for increased access to justice for LA County's underserved communities.

In NLSLA's 51st year, this year's theme, We March On: Stronger Together, celebrates the organization's commitment to serving the diverse communities throughout the county effected by poverty by providing its services expanding access to health, housing, opportunity, and justice.

NLSLA honored Dr. Mitch Katz, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, for his leadership and vision, which is changing lives, transforming communities, and revolutionizing the delivery of health services in the nation's second largest health system. 

California Senator Robert Hertzberg presented the John M. Langston Bar Association with NLSLA's Legal Excellence Award for its unwavering commitment to providing pro bono help to underserved communities in South Los Angeles, ensuring people benefit from criminal justice reforms that can improve their economic status and transform their lives.

Marta Sanchez was presented the organization's Community Service Award by LAUSD Board Member Monica Garcia for her courageous leadership to protect family homes from the devastating wave of foreclosures in Los Angeles County. Marta's community advocacy efforts made national headlines as her story helped countless families throughout LA County in imminent danger of losing their homes seek help.

This year, with the support of Mogin Law Firm, NLSLA celebrated receiving a generous $515,000 Cy Pres Award, which will help NLSLA continue its mission to combat the effects of poverty and expand access to health, housing, opportunity, and justice in Los Angeles' diverse neighborhoods.

The Just Neighbors event highlighted one of NLSLA's impactful programs: the Veterans Initiative. NLSLA’s Veterans Initiative is a collaborative effort to address veterans’ legal needs and increase their access to VA benefits and support services. Many veterans received undesirable discharges for behaviors later identified as part of PTSD or other service-related trauma. In Los Angeles County, thousands of veterans are potentially eligible for VA benefits and discharge upgrades, and NLSLA is leading the charge to assist the veteran community in these matters.

Visit NLSLA.org for more information.

NLSLA Executive Director Neal Dudovitz (3 from L); Kimberly Willis, President Langston Bar (4 from L); NLSLA Deputy Director Yvonne Mariajimenez (5 from L) and John M. Langston Bar Association

NLSLA Executive Director Neal Dudovitz (2 from R); NLSLA Deputy Director Yvonne Mariajimenez (3 from R) with Siegel, Kamenir, Reznik Families and NLSLA supporters.

Neal Dudovitz, Yvonne Mariajimenez

Dr. Mitch Katz

NLSLA Director of Pro Bono & Operations Sharon Bashan, NLSLA Board President Kathy Banuelos, NLSLA Director of Human Resources Elizabeth Brown

Dr. Mitch Katz

NLSLA Director of Access to Justice Initiatives Ana Maria Garcia (L); Yvonne Mariajimenez (2 from L); Neal Dudovitz (Mid); Monica Garcia (R) with Family of Marta Sanchez

Kimberly Willis, President of Langston Bar, CA Sen. Robert Hertzberg

Thread Experiment Launches New Sheets Collection

Thread Experiment, the only brand of bedding designed exclusively for men, has released five new sheets designs as part of its fall 2016 collection. Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson guest designed for the recent collection with bow tie and bandana designs. 

In June, Thread Experiment celebrated its one-year anniversary since its inaugural collection launch. 

Hawkins Mikita works with Thread Experiment and its give back campaign, which donates a sheet set for every full bedding set sold on their site. Beneficiary organizations include the LA LGBT Youth Center, Camillus House Miami, Covenant House NY, and Single Room Housing Assistance Corporation. 

Hawkins Mikita Begins Work with Peace Over Violence

Hawkins Mikita is excited to start working with Peace Over Violence for their 45th Annual Humanitarian Awards.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Peace Over Violence is a leading organization dedicated to building healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual, domestic and interpersonal violence.

Their annual Humanitarian Awards, attended over the years by countless political and social influencer supporters, brings together survivors, advocates, partners and friends, all in support of POV’s crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and violence prevention programming.

At this year's event, Peace Over Violence will honor LA City Councilmember Nury Martinez with their Public Service Award, Grammy-Award-winning songwriter Diane Warren with their Song Over Violence Award for her powerful anthem "Til It Happens to You" co-written with Lady Gaga for the documentary film The Hunting Ground, and the designers of the transformative POV brand with their Vision Over Violence Award.

Hawkins Mikita Begins Work with Beth Behrs and The Reflective Horse

Hawkins Mikita is thrilled to be working with star of 2 Broke Girls Beth Behrs and Cassandra Ogier of The Reflective Horse on a new retreat program to empower women, particularly survivors of sexual assault, with the use of equine therapy. 

The Reflective Horse offers unique programs bringing horses and humans together to build leadership and communication skills in addition to growing self-awareness, confidence, and a deep connection with the natural world. 

With the help of Hawkins Mikita, Beth Behrs will work with The Reflective Horse to build a new program specific to young women designed to evoke, restore, and empower.