Fulfilling People’s Lives

Our Story

In the fall of 2015, Los Angeles woke up to a heartbreaking reality. News reports revealed that thousands of people in our city had no place to call home. Behind every statistic was a real story—parents struggling to keep a roof over their heads, children going to bed hungry, and hardworking people facing circumstances they could not overcome alone.

For Zorayda Mejia, who at the time was completing the final year of her doctorate, the need she saw in her community was impossible to ignore. What began as a calling quickly turned into action. Seeing families struggle without basic necessities made it clear that help could not wait—and that urgent need accelerated the birth of My New House.

Founded in June 2016, My New House began as a simple act of compassion with a clear purpose: to uplift individuals and families by providing access to resources that restore dignity, stability, and opportunity. What started as a small volunteer effort—formed by Zorayda’s family, close friends, and a creative board of directors—soon grew into a community movement driven by one belief: everyone deserves the chance to thrive, regardless of life’s challenges.

Our first program addressed a crisis many families quietly face—keeping the lights on at home. We launched the Single-Parent Utility Relief Program, supporting parents who were working hard to care for their children but falling behind on essential bills. To sustain this effort, we opened a community thrift store, offering affordable clothing, household items, and furniture. Every purchase helps support families in need. Today, the thrift store continues to serve the community, now operating primarily online while still fueling our mission.

We also believe that education has the power to change lives. That’s why we created a scholarship program for young people who have lost financial support due to the absence of one or both parents. These scholarships helped students continue their education, pursue their dreams, and grow into future leaders who will one day give back to their communities.

From the very beginning, the dream behind My New House was bigger than individual programs. The vision was to build a Resource Care Center—a place where individuals and families could access essential services, guidance, and hope in one welcoming space.

In 2024, that vision became a reality. My New House officially became a Resource Care Center, expanding our ability to serve the community through partnerships with medical providers such as Health Net, Molina, Kaiser Permanente, and L.A. Care, supported through Pear Suite. These collaborations allow us to connect individuals and families with critical health services and community resources that promote long-term stability and well-being.

Today, My New House provides holistic support services designed to help individuals and families regain stability and hope. We assist with housing navigation to prevent homelessness, helping people connect with social workers and housing opportunities that create long-term stability. Through our home food delivery program, families with children receive nutritious food and essential supplies delivered directly to their homes—especially important for those with limited mobility or resources.

We also continue providing utility assistance, offering peace of mind to families so they can focus on rebuilding their lives. Because transportation can often be a barrier, we provide TAP cards, bus passes, and taxi vouchers to help individuals reach medical appointments, job interviews, and other essential services.

Our team assists community members with Medi-Cal enrollment, Medi-Cal plan changes, Medicare Advantage plans, and PACE services for seniors, ensuring access to vital healthcare. We also support vulnerable populations by helping victims of crime, trafficking, and domestic violence apply for emergency financial assistance programs such as RCA and CAPI. In addition, we guide individuals through Mediation services to help resolve conflicts peacefully and restore stability.

Beyond practical assistance, we believe caring for the heart and spirit is just as important. Through partnerships with churches, we offer support groups, daily devotional messages, and prayer support for those seeking emotional and spiritual encouragement.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our partners, donors, and volunteers.

And we are just getting started.

Looking ahead, we hope to expand programs such as a youth basketball initiative that gives young people a safe space to grow, build confidence, and develop leadership through teamwork and mentorship.

The name “My New House” reflects the heart of our mission. It represents our belief that the individuals and families we serve are not defined by their hardships. Instead, they are stepping into a new beginning—a new home, a new chapter, and a more stable future.

Our long-term dream is to develop a comprehensive community resource center where families can access services such as dental care, mental health support, a food bank, youth programs, and an expanded thrift store—all under one roof.

We also hope to make our organization more sustainable by securing funding that allows us to hire staff and provide regular operating hours. Because My New House is currently run primarily by volunteers, keeping up with the growing needs of the community can be challenging. With greater sustainability, we will be able to expand our services and assist even more families.

Together, we are doing more than providing services.

We are restoring hope, strengthening communities, and helping families step into their own “new house”—one life, one story, and one new beginning at a time.