Did You Know? SELAH Helps Our Unhoused Neighbors Obtain Birth Certificates

Proper California identification is a prerequisite for so many of the steps our unhoused neighbors must take on their road to housing.

Since its inception in 2020 at our Tuesday Echo Park Drop-In program, the SELAH Special Services Desk has grown to include a variety of useful services for our participants. Perhaps none of Special Services' specialities are as important as their ability to help participants obtain copies of their birth certificates, which are required to obtain a California ID for those who haven't had one.

Last month, at Silver Lake Support Day at Silverlake Community Church, the Special Services Desk helped 12 participants submit applications for non-LA County birth certificates (no easy feat), and the LA County Registrar handled more than 20 birth certificates for participants born in LA County. One services desk volunteer even got to chat with the El Salvadoran Consulate as she helped a participant determine the next steps to obtain their birth certificate.

A special "thank you" to all our excellent, dedicated Special Services Desk volunteers!

Interested in getting involved in the SELAH Special Services desk? Explore our volunteer opportunities.