Martha’s Village & Kitchen (MVK) has a long history of serving those in need. In fact, MVK has served Coachella Valley’s impoverished and homeless individuals and families for the past 28 years. “Martha’s Kitchen,” the original name of the organization, opened its doors in 1990. Our Founders began by serving a meal to homeless neighbors from a parish kitchen with a $5 donation and a group of seven volunteers! In time, services expanded and they began providing hot lunches, clothing, motel vouchers, and rental assistance.
Today, MVK offers unique, life-changing programs addressing needs and providing solutions for the impoverished and homeless in the Coachella Valley. Through this gateway to hope, people restore their lives and become responsible, self-sufficient, and productive citizens, while passing on their newfound independence and life skills to their children and families.
A vital component of the region’s safety net, MVK served over 6,000 neighbors in need from throughout the Valley last year, with a comprehensive array of programs. Based upon the nationally recognized “continuum of care model,” which addresses both the causes and the symptoms of homelessness, MVK offers transitional housing for families and individuals, nutritious meals, case management, childcare, recovery services, employment and education services, and emergency assistance. These programs are supplemented by a thrift store, medical clinic, computer lab, food pantry, resource room, and a cooling center.