Giovanni Pantoja and Noel Velasco crossed paths for the first time in late 2011 as a result of their involvement with a local mentoring program – The Partnership Scholars. The core of the program consists of college preparatory workshops and culturally enriching monthly trips. During one of these trips, Giovanni and Noel were humbled by the dire conditions on the streets of Skid Row. Instead of allowing their concern to fade, Giovanni and Noel set out to design a sustainable plan to help one of the largest homeless populations in the nation and motivate others to seek answers to community problems. After months of hard work, a wishful thought transformed into Alleviate Skid Row.