South LA teen on a mission to help the homeless



By Patrick Thelen
Associate Editor

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Shauniece contributing in her community

“Helping others get back on their feet and put a smile on their faces is my goal in life.”

This noble and inspirational life mission belongs to Shauniece Frazier, a young 17-year-old who is holding her first campaign for donations in an effort to meet the needs of those struggling in Los Angeles. By the end of 2013, Ms. Frazier intends to raise $250,000 to provide clothes, shoes, food, school supplies, and toiletries for the homeless in L.A.

According to the 2011 Greater Los Angeles homeless count, coordinated by the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA), there were approximately 51,340 homeless people in the County of Los Angeles in January 2011. Although these numbers represent a 3% decrease from the previous count, the issue remains highly relevant.

Shauniece, who lives in Baldwin Heights, is well aware of the problem. “It breaks my heart to see that my neighbors are not able to provide toiletries and shoes for their children, diapers for their babies and food for their homes. I just really want to help,” she says.

Ms. Frazier has assisted the homeless for approximately two years. During this journey, she has been helping at the Alexandria house, a shelter for homeless women and children in downtown L.A. “I adopted this shelter because struggling women and children are very near to my heart. I know what it´s like to be in that predicament and I felt compelled to give back to that home.”

When Ms. Frazier was only nine years old, her mother, Claudia Woods, was in a near-fatal car accident which severely damaged her legs and arms. After months in the hospital, it took her a year to be able to walk again. This difficult situation had a profound effect on Ms. Frazier.

“My mom´s car accident was a wake up call. At a young age I was able to assist my mom and help around the house. While she was recovering, she wasn´t able to cook, so I had to take over from there.”

Cooking has become one of Ms. Frazier’s greatest passions. She is an expert in the kitchen and has been perfecting her culinary skills for nearly eight years. She routinely blogs about new and exotic dishes, shares fun snippets from the kitchen and even offers recipes for a happy, healthy life at ChefShauniece.com.

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Claudia Woods assisting the homeless in South Central L.A.

“I started my blog to share my love for cooking with the world and encourage youngsters to get in their kitchens and cook healthy meals. Once I started doing this I realized that many people can´t afford this type of diet. This led me to start searching for ways in which I could help others so that they could afford to make healthier food,” said Ms. Frazier.

“My mom is my inspiration”

Growing up, Ms. Frazier would always see her mother feed and shelter the homeless. “My mother is my inspiration. I´ve always thought that my mom is a wonderful woman. Watching her help those in need and still have energy to come back home and help both my brother and myself has been amazing.”

Ms. Frazier, who is currently receiving an online homeschooled education, is in the 12th grade. She plans to attend a junior college and then transfer to a culinary school. One of her dreams is to attend Le Cordon Blue, a culinary academy located in the heart of Paris. Her other aspiration, is to turn her charity work into a major non-profit organization.