The Carson-based nonprofit organization known as the F.O.U. Movement is working to reintegrate former inmates, provide services for vulnerable youth and help those living with substance abuse disorder.
Recently, some of the members of F.O.U. distributed hot meals, hygiene packs, Narcan and more to a community of people experiencing homelessness living near the Willow Street Bridge in Long Beach, adjacent to the 710 freeway and the Los Angeles River.
The group’s founder and Vice Chairman, Valentino Luafalemana says he knew some of the people in the unhoused community. On September 14, he went down to visit them with some of his family members and a few residents of the organization’s sober living home in Escondido. It’s something they hope becomes a monthly occurrence.
“Anytime I’m helping somebody and being of service to them… It brings me joy,” Luafalemana told KTLA 5. “I’m blessed to be able to be in a place in which I can be of service to them.”
The organization’s chairman, Bell Taulua, said the personal aspect of the recent homeless outreach can be helpful. “Sometimes when people see someone they grew up reaching out, it can inspire them to hopefully quit their addiction and want to go get some help.”
The recent homeless outreach is just one of the many ways F.O.U. helps people in Southern California.
“At first, all we did was reentry, recovery and youth outreach,” Taulua explained. “We also feed the homeless and do toy drives every year for kids in different neighborhoods across Los Angeles.”
The group also hosts Zoom meetings twice a month.
“This is where we come together, where we share our stories for the men and women that come from prison… We create a space where they can come in and share their stories.”
F.O.U. also visits local schools to share their stories with students.
Luafalemana said he founded F.O.U. in faith, and it continues to drive the organization’s mission. “In the beginning, it was just a way for me to connect with others while I was in prison, and now it’s a way for me to stay connected with the brothers of the movement. It offers them a break from everything, and a chance to learn about God.”
The acronym stands for Fa’atasiga O Usos, which, translated from Samoan, means the gathering of brothers.
Both Taulua and Luafalemana are of Samoan descent, as are a majority of the members of the organization.
In Samoan culture, it’s not common for people to seek help when it comes to addiction or other ailments that might be seen as taboo or looked down on, let alone talk about it with other members of their community.
Still, F.O.U. is working to break the stigma in the culture, and in the future, the organization’s founder hopes to open his own rehabilitation center one day.
“There aren’t that many Asian and Pacific Islanders who come to rehab,” he said. “When we open one up, they’ll see that their own people are the ones working behind the scenes, and they might be more open to getting help.”
For more information about F.O.U., click here. They encourage people to keep in touch with them through social media like Facebook and Instagram.
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