About the Founder

For years, I watched the homelessness crisis grow throughout Los Angeles, but it became deeply personal to me during my time at Ramin Studio in West Hollywood. Seeing people living in nearby alleys and around the studio made me question how so many people reached that point and whether more could have been done earlier.

At the same time, I was grieving the loss of my dear friend Marie. I kept thinking about the way she lived, the people she brought together and the genuine sense of community she created around her

I created A Day of Sunshine in November 2025 in her memory, but at that time I did not yet know what direction the organization would take.

The following year, I saw two young people sitting on the street with all of their belongings in shopping carts. They looked like anyone you might pass in everyday life and I remember thinking, this can happen to anyone.

That moment stayed with me because I had  always believed homelessness can happen to anyone. The rising cost of living, losing a job, illness, medical expenses, divorce, family responsibilities or other unexpected hardships can quickly change a person’s circumstances. These challenges can also take an emotional and mental toll. Seeing those two young people made me think even more deeply about what could be done earlier, before someone reaches the point of homelessness. That is when prevention became deeply important to the direction of A Day of Sunshine.

My own experiences as a small business owner also showed me how difficult it can be to navigate landlords, city departments, property issues and infrastructure problems when people do not know where to turn

Those experiences shaped the direction of A Day of Sunshine.

I do not claim to have all the answers. I am learning, listening, asking questions and using what I have experienced to build something meaningful in Marie’s memory.

Mandana