Mondays at the Mission Spotlight: Meet Justine Sophia

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the achievements, resilience, and strength of women everywhere. It’s a day to honor those who lead with compassion, break barriers, and uplift their communities. This year, we recognize the power of women who dedicate their lives to making a difference—women who remind us that love, kindness, and service can change the world.

In honor of International Women’s Day, we want to spotlight Justine Sophia, the inspiring creative director of Mondays at the Mission, a volunteer-led career and life skills program from Union Rescue Mission for teens experiencing homelessness on Skid Row. Through her unwavering dedication, Justine has created a safe space for young people to learn, grow, and build a future filled with hope.

Love Button has had the privilege of partnering with Mondays at the Mission in various initiatives, from bringing school supplies and joy to children in shelters to supporting hundreds of families through our Baskets of Gratitude program. In this interview, Justine reflects on her journey, the power of love in transforming lives, and the impact of community-driven kindness.

Can you please introduce yourself and Mondays at the Mission?

“Los Angeles is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis—one that remains largely unseen by the public: Hundreds and hundreds of children and teenagers are experiencing homelessness, right now, in one of the wealthiest cities in the world. These are kids with talents, with dreams, with the potential to change the world—yet they are forced to navigate the daily reality of Skid Row.

At Mondays at the Mission Career and Life Skills Program, we see these kids. We know their names. We hear their stories. We witness youth trying to do their homework in a hallway of the shelter. We see bright, talented, hopeful children who have been robbed of the basic right to a childhood. And what’s most horrifying? They did nothing to deserve this. They didn’t make bad choices. They didn’t ruin their lives. They were born into circumstances beyond their control, and yet they are the ones paying the price.

This is not just a crisis—it is an emergency. And it is our emergency. While the rest of the beautiful state of California goes about its business, these kids are out there, wondering if anyone even knows they exist.

For over a decade, I’ve served as an unpaid volunteer as are all of the volunteers at Mondays at the Mission. I don’t do this work because it’s my job, rather it is our philosophy that if every person did their part each week, the world would be a better place. Outside of volunteerism, I’m an independent filmmaker, director, screenwriter, and editor. Since 2019, I’ve worked for Academy Award-winning actor Benicio Del Toro, contributing to the development of scripts, characters and narratives across multiple films. But no matter what I do in my life, the stories of these children and teenagers stay with me.”

What is Mondays at the Mission and what inspired you to join this program?

“Mondays at the Mission is a career and life skills program for youth ages 12-18 experiencing homelessness at the Union Rescue Mission—the only shelter on Skid Row that takes in children and families. Our Dream Classroom is a space for young people to find their voices and shape their futures. We’ve welcomed doctors, lawyers, artists, athletes, scientists, and professors from all over the world to share their story and inspire our students. Every Monday, mentors and guest speakers—which have included icons like astronaut Dr. Buzz Aldrin, long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad, comedian Russell Brand, actor Adrian Grenier, and entrepreneur Elon Musk—surprise and enlighten with their wisdom and expertise. We provide workshops on resume writing, goal setting, creative expression, and the power of a positive mindset in an ever-evolving and often difficult world.

I was compelled to join Mondays at the Mission in 2013 because I saw brilliance, bravery and resilience trapped in the margins. I refused to accept a world where children suffer homelessness through no fault of their own—and chose to fight for justice, to stand beside them, and do everything possible to make their voices heard.”

How have you seen this program impact the lives of the people you support?

“I have watched young people who once spoke in whispers now command a room with the power of their ideas. I’ve seen a girl who never dared to dream of college now walking the halls of a university. I’ve witnessed a boy who was told he’d never rise above his circumstances become a policy writer in local government. It is hard enough to be a teenager in today’s world—let alone to be homeless on Skid Row, trapped in survival mode and poverty. No child should have to start life this way.

I have met children with wisdom far beyond their years, artists who had never been given a canvas, leaders who had only been told to follow. The world may label them ‘at-risk,’ but I see them as luminous. Yet they are also disenfranchised and afraid—and that is what we must change.”

What does International Women’s Day mean to you personally?

“It is a reminder that every woman is a universe unto herself— It is about the celebration of the innovation, artistry, vision, and boundless spirit of women and girls everywhere, without limitations. We must honor and protect women’s innate gift of empathy, allowing its transformative power to birth into the material world fully expressed. A revolutionary paradigm shift is urgently needed—one that doesn’t just rewrite the existing systems that govern our world but reimagines the very equations that define them. If we want to create a world where no child is homeless, we can’t just work within old frameworks; we must invent new ones. This means designing entirely new models for how technology serves humanity, how resources are distributed, and how society measures success. We need to solve for justice, for shelter, for the next generation—because the current math doesn’t add up. This is my prayer, and I believe in it.”

As a woman leading such an impactful program, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

“The biggest challenge I have faced leading this program is the sheer scale of the humanitarian crisis on Skid Row. The streets are plagued by violence, crime, drug use, tent cities and unsanitary conditions, making it incredibly difficult to provide a safe and stable space for children. Every time our students step outside the shelter to catch a bus, go to school, or visit a park they experience the constant danger and despair of people struggling to survive amid extreme poverty, addiction, and mental illness. Just driving into the shelter weekly I can’t tell you the extremes of what I have seen. Skid Row is no place for a child.

Growing up in these traumatic conditions is a tragedy for an innocent soul. It is a betrayal of our collective responsibility, forcing them to navigate a world that has already abandoned them before they’ve had a chance to dream. Overcoming this challenge requires relentless advocacy, creative problem-solving, and unwavering commitment to providing these children with opportunities and resources for transformation, despite the overwhelming odds against them.

The social workers and entire team at the Union Rescue Mission are angels and superheroes of Los Angeles who day in and day out change lives. They have been incredibly supportive of our boots on the ground efforts.”

What advice would you give to other women who are passionate about making a difference but unsure of how to start?

“Ask yourself, “How can I take what I’m already passionate about—whether it’s my job, hobbies, or creative talents—and connect it to a cause that creates real impact?” Maybe you love painting. You could host an annual springtime paint party to raise funds for a cause close to your heart. Perhaps that event grows into a monthly gathering, drawing more people into the endeavor. What starts as a simple idea, infused with purpose, has the power to evolve into something transformative. Small sparks of intention ignite movements.

Consistency is also a really important value to uphold. How often are you putting your passion to make a difference into action? Set a realistic, achievable goal and commit to it, whether it’s once a week or once a month. Change isn’t built on intention alone; it’s built on the discipline of showing up, again and again, until the extraordinary becomes second nature.”

Love Button has been honored to collaborate with Mondays at the Mission through events like Baskets of Gratitude and our Dream Classroom project. How do these partnerships amplify the mission of Mondays at the Mission?

“Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Habib Sadeghi, Dr. Sherry Sami, and Dr. Paige Ghafouria, Love Button has transformed the lives of our students, becoming the most inspiring and generous partner in our program’s history. Where do I even begin?

Love Button’s support made it possible to create our brand-new Dream Classroom—a dedicated space inside the shelter where teens can learn, experiment, and discover their own talent and abilities. After years of working in borrowed boardrooms, this was a monumental step in providing a positive, uplifting environment.

Love Button has mobilized hundreds of remarkable volunteers, from mentors to guest speakers like LA Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel. They’ve donated essential school supplies, art, care packages, and holiday gift bags from the heartwarming Baskets of Gratitude events. They even produced special rooftop summer classes with Coldplay, giving our kids the chance to learn and play music.

Collaboration is the art of multiplying impact. By joining forces with Love Button, we extend hope, affirm humanity, and remind our youth that they are seen, valued, and worthy of the world’s care.”

If you could share one message with people about the importance of kindness and giving back, what would it be?

“Kindness is not just softness; it is rebellion against a world that tells us to fend for ourselves. Giving back is not charity; it is a correction, a righting of balance. We do not give because we have excess; we give because we recognize that we belong to each other. And in the end, what we extend to others will be what remains of us.”

What’s next for Mondays at the Mission?

“We continue. We expand. We dream bigger. The next chapter involves deepening our impact, bringing in more inspiring guest speakers and mentors for the students, creating opportunities beyond our walls. I envision a future where Mondays at the Mission is not just a program but a movement—one that shifts the way society views and supports young people experiencing homelessness.”

How can people get involved and support your mission?

“Every person reading this has the power to make a difference. It takes a village to raise a child. If we want a better future, we must invest in those who will inherit it. We have class every Monday evening year-round (besides National holidays). Message us on Instagram if you or someone you know would like to become a guest speaker @MondaysattheMission

There are a thousand ways to contribute—mentor, teach, guest speak, donate, and volunteer. But above all, carry the mission into your own life. See those on the margins. Speak their names. Extend your hands. This work is not just ours to do—it belongs to all of us.”