R.A.C.K.S.

R.A.C.K.S is an outgrowth of Fahren James’s commitment to racial and social justice.

Fahren has always had compassion for the unwanted and the unseen. A Black woman and former foster child, she understands first hand the challenges of withstanding systems oriented toward failure and demoralization.

Fahren decided to commit to the immediate needs of the unhoused community as well.

In January of 2021, she began outreach at multiple encampments. Shortly thereafter, she discovered a mobile shower program, which provides weekly showers for the unhoused.

R.A.C.K.S.  evolved from what Fahren understood as a fundamental necessity. Imagine being unhoused, trying to reclaim a sense of self-worth to change your circumstances. After taking a shower, imagine having to put back on the same soiled underwear and clothing. No fresh start, no self-worth.

What began with one table and a few boxes of essentials has evolved into up to nine clothing racks and a full free shopping experience that values choice and dignity.

Since February 2021, Fahren has supported two locations every Wednesday and Thursday. She provides new underwear, clean clothing, hygiene kits, and home-cooked meals. Quality meals that she’d prepare for family and friends, such as barbeque, homemade potato salad (a special recipe), enchiladas, Spanish rice with beans, and fettuccini alfredo with chicken and bell peppers.

In a short span of time, with very limited resources and boundless faith and determination, Fahren has helped hundreds of people. She’s provided over 10,000 items of clothing (mostly new), along with twice weekly home-cooked meals. 

With support and financial backing, the growth and potential for R.A.C.K.S is incalculable.

In addition to the twice weekly clothing distribution she facilitates, Fahren has supported large and small nonprofits and hosted pop-ups in Downtown, Los Angeles. Fahren is proud of the work she  and her small team of volunteers has been able to do for the last 15 months without fundraising. See the short list below of a few organizations we've supported.

Veterans Row Encampment (New Clothing- Free shopping experience for unhoused Veterans) -Beverly Hills-

R.O.C. ERA (New kids clothing) -Watts-

M.A.D. (New Kids Clothing) Back 2 School Event -Long Beach-

Pasadena (New kids clothing) Back 2 School Event – Pasadena-

Compton Elementary School (New kids Clothing) Back 2 School Event -Compton-

Pasadena Boys & Girls Club (New Basketball jerseys / 5 youth teams) -Pasadena-

City Hall Sessions DTLA ( New Clothing- Free shopping experience for unhoused adults) -DTLA-

Pasadena GEM Link (New & Gently used clothing for unhoused) -Pasadena-

Los Angeles Mission – (Career Clothing) -DTLA-

Jovenes Inc. - (New/Gently used clothing- Free shopping experience for unhoused 17-24yo) -Whittier-