Dear Friends and Family,

I’m excited to share a deeply personal project that I’m working on, one that’s close to my heart. I’m raising funds to create 50 Spiritual Wellness Kits for our unhoused neighbors. These kits are designed to provide spiritual comfort and protection to those who need it most, including items like Homemade Florida Water, essential oils, crystals, sage, and more.

When I first moved to LA, I found myself homeless for 18 months. It was a challenging time, but what kept me grounded was my spiritual practice. Without a permanent space to call my own, I learned to create sacred spaces with just a few meaningful items—many of which are now included in these kits. These tools helped me maintain hope and a positive mindset, despite the circumstances.

Each Spiritual Wellness Kit includes:

• Homemade Florida Water: A cleansing and protective spiritual water.
• Essential Oils: Handcrafted with care for spiritual and emotional support.
• Crystals: Carefully chosen for their healing and protective properties.
• Sage: For smudging and purifying spaces.
• Palo Santo: A sacred wood used to cleanse and bring in positive energy.
• Affirmation Card: To provide inspiration and positive reinforcement.
• Candle: For creating a sacred atmosphere and focusing intentions.
• Evil Eye Protection Bracelet: To ward off negative energies.
• Tobacco Herbal Blend: A sacred blend for smoking, offering a moment of peace and reflection.

For the past several months, I’ve been conducting homeless outreach in collaboration with social service agencies, integrating indigenous traditions with conventional social services. This approach has been especially impactful for individuals who follow non-Abrahamic spiritual paths. I’ve seen firsthand how the Curanderismo practices and Spiritual Wellness Kits have touched the lives of those we’ve met during our outreach efforts.

One example is a Native American woman we met during our outreach in Compton. She was incredibly touched by our program and expressed how the Spiritual Kit was healing to her indigenous heart. Another individual, an African-American man who had never had his own apartment, was moved to tears when he received a kit as he transitioned into permanent housing. These kits offer not just material support but also a deep sense of spiritual connection and dignity.

Moving forward, I’m excited to announce that we will be continuing this outreach independently. These Spiritual Wellness Kits will be a key part of our efforts, allowing us to maintain the connection between indigenous traditions and the support we provide to our unhoused neighbors.

Below are some of the progress notes from our outreach efforts that highlight the profound impact these kits have had on those we serve:

• September 10, 2024: We met a 42-year-old Mayan woman who was initially guarded but became receptive and emotional when we shared our Curanderismo program. The Spiritual Kit we provided was a significant source of comfort for her.
• September 11, 2024: We engaged with a 35-year-old Black woman transitioning from a motel to her first apartment. The Spiritual Kit she received brought her great joy and helped her feel ready for a new beginning.
• September 18, 2024: A 60-year-old man who identified as Black Foot Native American was deeply moved by the opportunity to honor his practices with the Spiritual Kit, showing how important representation is in social services and mental health.

These are just a few examples of how these kits have made a tangible difference in people’s lives. I believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to connect with their spirituality, especially during difficult times. Just $15 will cover the cost and labor of one kit, but any donation, big or small, will help us reach our goal.

Thank you for supporting this project and helping to bring hope and healing to those who need it most.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Kathie "Inaruti Araní" Arseno 

Founder & CEO | Modern Mystics NYC| LA

Spiritual Practitioner | Community Advocate

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (646) 712-5467

Instagram: @Inaruti_arani

Aligning spirituality with community empowerment

Collaborating for a brighter, more connected world