[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Thinking about volunteering locally in the NoHo Arts District? Meet Joe Schlosser and Hands 4 Hope LA. We hope his story inspires you to think about volunteering or making a contribution to this North Hollywood organization dedicated to helping our neighborhood youth.
Hands 4 Hope LA is an outstanding not-for-profit organization that nohoartsdistrict.com has supported for 25 years. This community organization provides support to youth and their parents from low-income, underserved households. Their services include one one-on-one tutoring and counseling with an array of art and life skill classes. I have seen children who have serious emotional problems grow strong and confident through the nurturing and loving staff at Hands 4 Hope LA. Also, the parents who are often single parents are assisted with career and parent skills training.
They say “It takes a village to raise a child” and that is exactly what Hands 4 Hope LA does with its dedicated staff and volunteers.
Hands 4 Hope LA and nohoartsdistrict.com wants to acknowledge one of the organization’s long-term supporters – Joe Schlosser. We hope his story inspires you to think about volunteering or making a contribution to this worthwhile organization.
Hi Joe, thank you so much for talking with us! When did you begin volunteering at Hands 4 Hope LA?
About 10 years ago, I was leading communications for a TV production company called EndemolShine North America and we moved into new offices on the corner of Lankershim and Magnolia, right there in the NoHoArts District and a few blocks from Hands 4 Hope LA. One day shortly after, Lydia Floyd knocked on my door and introduced herself and told me the backstory on how she had opened this amazing non-profit after-school program. As part of my role at the time, I was leading community outreach efforts for the company, and we were new to the neighborhood. So, I checked out Hands 4 Hope LA soon after and fell in love with the organization and wanted to do anything I could personally and also with my company. We started volunteering and working with the kids and teaching them about TV and our business and before you know it, I was asked to join the board.
What are some examples of the assistance you provided through EndemolShine and also personally as a board member.
We did all sorts of fun things at Hands 4 Hope LA over the last decade. A lot of my efforts involved the company and our staff volunteering their time, donating funds and helping throw an annual holiday party and supplying gifts for many kids who might not have been getting much for Christmas or their respective holidays celebrated at their homes. We also helped raise funds to get an amazing mural that adorns the south-facing wall of Hands 4 Hope with an array of beautiful NoHo landmarks.
Even though you no longer work in NOHO, why do you continue to help Hands 4 Hope LA?
Anyone who has ever met Lydia Floyd knows she is not like many others. She has willed the organization to stay open for 25 years now, sometimes with little to no money at all. She has helped so many local kids in so many ways – it’s truly remarkable. I am a PR guy, but there is no spinning when it comes to Lydia and all that she has accomplished and done for this community. She is the reason why I have continued to support Hands 4 Hope LA even after leaving EndemolShine.
Out of the many not-for-profit organizations you could help, what made you pick Hands 4 Hope?
Hands 4 Hope LA gives so many underprivileged kids and single parents just that—hope. It’s a safe place to learn, go after school and once you visit, you will have a hard time not wanting to volunteer, support what Lydia Floyd and her team have doing for more than two decades now.
Thank you, Joe Schlosser. You are an inspiration to all of us who would like to give more to the community. You can find out more about Hands 4 Hope LA on their website https://hands4hope.org/
About Joe Schlosser
Joe Schlosser is a veteran communications executive, TV producer and journalist with more than three decades of experience in the entertainment industry. In 2023, Schlosser launched his own PR agency, Schlosser Communications. His boutique agency specializes in strategic entertainment communications and counts numerous domestic and international studios, tech companies, TV producers and personalities as clients.
Based in Los Angeles, Schlosser previously held top communications posts with several of the entertainment industry’s leading networks and studios including NBCUniversal, Endemol Shine and The Hallmark Channel. Before starting his own agency, he served as Executive Vice President, Communications, Banijay Americas (formerly Endemol Shine North America), where he oversaw all corporate, consumer and internal communications for the world’s top TV production and distribution company in both North America and Latin America. He led all PR efforts around such series as “Big Brother,” “MasterChef” and MasterChef Jr.,” “Below Deck,” “The Masked Singer” and many other top hits.