Rooted in Culture & Community
For over two decades, one woman has been showing up for Los Angeles's most vulnerable community members — with heart, determination, and a car full of donations.
Meet Audra Wise
Audra Wise is a Native American (Laguna Pueblo) storyteller, creative, and consultant who has been helping the unhoused community in Los Angeles for over 20 years.
What started as small volunteer work grew into something much bigger. During COVID, when so many were struggling, Audra transformed her personal mission into Community Thrift LA — a free mobile thrift store that brings hope directly to those who need it most.
She picks up donated items curbside across Los Angeles, sorts and cleans them with care, and personally delivers them to unhoused veterans, families on Skid Row, and communities in need — at least three times a week. She does all of this for free, out of her own pocket, with help from her daughter.
This isn't a corporate charity. This is one woman, rooted in her Laguna Pueblo heritage and values, choosing every single day to show up for her community.
As Featured In
Voyage LA Magazine→“I don't want to be remembered for the clothes I put on my back but for the clothes I put on the backs of others.”
Our Mission & Values
Our Mission
To bring dignity, warmth, and essential resources to unhoused individuals and families across Los Angeles through our free mobile thrift store and community outreach programs.
Our Values
Rooted in Laguna Pueblo heritage, we believe in community care, mutual respect, and the inherent dignity of every person. We serve without judgment and with open hearts.
Our Promise
100% of donations go directly to serving our community. No overhead, no salaries — just pure, direct impact. Every item, every dollar makes a difference.
Honoring Laguna Pueblo Heritage
Community Thrift LA is proudly Native American owned and operated. Our founder, Audra Wise, is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe of New Mexico, and her cultural heritage deeply informs everything we do.
In Pueblo culture, taking care of community isn't optional — it's essential. The values of reciprocity, respect, and collective responsibility that Audra learned from her elders are the foundation of our organization.
The butterfly (🦋) is a symbol of transformation and hope in many Native American traditions. At Community Thrift LA, we believe in the power of transformation — that donated items can transform into hope, that small acts of kindness can transform lives, and that our community can transform through love.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Every donation helps us serve more families in need.