When I was a child, my family lived in downtown Los Angeles, where homelessness was part of the reality all around us. Everywhere we turned, we saw people trying to survive the night — on sidewalks, in tunnels, near freeway entrances, at bus stops, and in parks. Many had nothing more than cardboard boxes or old newspapers to keep out the cold.

At first, my parents and I gave what little we could: extra blankets and jackets from our own home. But it didn’t take long for us to realize that what we had was not enough to meet such overwhelming need. So our family began purchasing sleeping bags, and late at night we would drive through the streets near our home, looking for those left out in the cold. I can still picture myself in the backseat with my mom and dad, scanning the sidewalks, stopping wherever someone lay shivering, and placing a sleeping bag into their hands. For me as a child, it was more than charity. It was joy. It was an adventure. And it was my first lesson that love must take action.

Then came a moment I will never forget. Not long after we began, we noticed something extraordinary: the people who had once curled up in boxes and newspapers near our neighborhood were now sleeping inside sleeping bags. Street by street, it seemed no one was left out. Every person nearby had something to keep them warm. To see that transformation — to witness human beings wrapped in warmth and dignity instead of exposed to the night — was breathtaking. That moment etched into my heart a truth that has never left me: even the smallest act of compassion can change not just someone’s night, but maybe even their life.

That memory still lives with me. And now, years later, I cannot ignore what I continue to see. These days, I live in New Jersey, and whenever I visit New York City or Washington, D.C., I am again confronted with the heartbreaking reality of homelessness. I see men and women sleeping on sidewalks, under scaffolding, in parks, and at bus stops. It is not hard to hear the news either — the number of homeless people is growing all over the country. With my own eyes, I see it happening, and it breaks my heart. Our family often talks about it — how urgent the need is and how deeply we long to make a difference.

It is this conviction that led me to create Brighter Beyond — to carry forward the mission my family began, and to respond to the heartbreaking reality I still see today. Our work begins right where we are: providing sleeping bags directly to homeless individuals living near our community. We believe no one should ever have to endure a night without warmth, safety, or dignity.

The name Brighter Beyond reflects my hope: that beyond the darkness of the night lies the light of a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow. Every sleeping bag we share is more than protection from the cold — it is a message of compassion, a reminder that each person is seen, valued, and loved.

Through this organization, I am committed to raising funds, purchasing sleeping bags in bulk, and distributing them personally to the homeless in our area. Every donation — big or small — goes directly to helping someone rest with warmth, dignity, and hope.

Because in the end, this is not just about sleeping bags. It is about compassion. It is about restoring dignity. It is about building a community where everyone matters.

Join me. Together, we can bring warmth, love, and hope — and create a brighter beyond for those who need it most.

Jia Kim