Bruin Helpers: Students Rise to Meet the Moment
For UCLA students, the past few months have brought about more changes than one could have predicted. The advent of COVID-19 forced most students to move back home and deal with the issues that come with remote learning, social isolation and supply shortages. However, for some Bruins, the uncertainty ignited an altruistic fire within them. Summoning compassion, ingenuity and networks, these UCLA students and recent grads are making a positive impact in their local communities and across the country.CONNECTS VOLUNTEERS WITH THE ELDERLY IN NEED
![DiAngelo Soriano (exp. ’21)](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DiAngelo-Soriano-cropped-400w.jpg)
FREE VIRTUAL TUTORING FOR CHILDREN OF ESSENTIAL WORKERS
![Mackenzie Lowenstein ’20](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Mackenzie-Lowenstein-cropped-800w.jpg)
DIRECT DONATION APP FOR PPE GOING TO NONPROFITS AND SCHOOLS
![Kyler Gilbert ’20](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Kyler-Gilbert-400w.jpg)
SEWING COLLECTIVE MAKES MASKS FOR COMMUNITIES IN NEED
![J.J. (Jennifer) Lee ’13](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Jennifer-JJ-Lee-cropped-400w.jpg)
CONNECTS COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH K-12 STUDENTS FOR VIRTUAL TUTORING
![Maggie Miller ’20](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Maggie-Miller-cropped-400w.jpg)
VIRTUAL MUSICAL PERFORMANCES RAISE MONEY FOR WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN
![Akshay Anand (exp. ’21)](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Akshay-Anand-cropped-400w.jpg)
FUNDRAISE AND PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES TO MEDICAL FACILITIES/PERSONNEL AND RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES
![Sandro Samaha (exp. ’21)](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Sandro-Samaha-cropped.jpg)
![Los Angeles Humanitarian Initiative team](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sandro-Samaha-Los-Angeles-Higher-Initiative-team-cropped-800w.jpg)
GROCERY SHOP AND RUN ERRANDS FOR THE ELDERLY
![Priyanka Naik (exp. M.D. ’21)](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Priyanka-Naik-cropped-400w.jpg)
VOLUNTEER FOR DRIVE-THRU FOOD DISTRIBUTION SERVICE
![Barbra Lyons (exp. ’23)](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Barbra-Lyons-cropped-400w.jpg)
SUPPORTING DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH EMPLOYEES WITH THEIR CALL-IN LINE
Jeff Capps, M.S.W. ’20, Hanako Justice (exp. M.S.W. ’20) and Chloe Horowitz, M.S.W. ’20 are among the group of UCLA students who volunteer for Los Angeles County employees with their call-in line.
Launched by the county’s department of mental health and the University, the Public Partnership for Wellbeing line was established to help county workers navigate mental health services. Staffers, who are mostly students and recent graduates, provide referrals for professional counseling services, educate callers on health insurance and even offer advice on how to alleviate pandemic-related stress with mindfulness practices when it is needed.
The line was first created to support the county’s first responders and has now expanded efforts to be available for any county employees grappling with difficulties stemming from the pandemic. While it is not meant to be a replacement for crisis intervention or therapy, the free resource is meant to be supportive and accessible.
![Jeff Capps, M.S.W. ’20](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Jeff-Capps-cropped-400w.jpg)
![Hanako Justice (exp. M.S.W. ’20)](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Hanako-Justice-cropped.jpg)
![Chloe Horowitz, M.S.W. ’20](https://assets.alumni.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Chloe-Horowitz-cropped-400w.jpg)
If you know of other current UCLA students helping their community during this pandemic, send us a note at connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu. Previous Related Articles Bruin Helpers: We See You Bruins Small Businesses: Stories of Resilience How Remote Learning Works A New Delhi Routine: My Indian Summer in Lockdown Please support the valuable work and services that keep alumni connected to UCLA.
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