Downtown

Women’s Center

LOCATED IN Los Angeles, California

The Downtown Women’s Center is the only organization focused exclusively on serving and uplifting women who are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, California. DWC provides resources for housing, wellness, employment, and advocacy. Essential services include permanent supportive housing, healthcare, and a drop-in day center.

MADE by DWC, the social enterprise component of DWC, provides intensive job-training and transitional employment opportunities within product and retail environments to help women transition out of homelessness. Through dignified work, participants can rebuild their self-esteem and create safer, healthier futures.

To create each bar of soap, they practice an intricate melt-and-pour soapmaking technique through a collaborative and empowering process. First, they melt high-quality ingredients such as vitamin E and coconut oil. After blending the ingredients, each soap is carefully poured into a mold. The bars of soap slowly form over a few hours and are then ready to be packaged.