The ShoeGoddess: Saving souls, one shoe at a time.

You may have read The Shoegoddess blog, the highly addictive site about our other favorite accessory, shoes (and if you have not, you must click over asap!) But I bet you didn’t know the force behind it is a generous and kind woman (and my dear friend!) who has dedicated her life to her family and her charities. Florence Azria (The Shoegoddess) was born in Paris and currently makes her home in Beverly Hills with her husband, Serge,and her three children. I met Florence two years ago at one of her famous dinner parties; we hit it off immediately– both of us loved pink and one of us (me) loved the homemade cake (hers). If you have ever experienced Florence’s culinary creations, you will know why I beg her to fed ex me cake all the time!

But Florence is known for more than her vast shoe collection and culinary skills, she is a huge supporter of A Place Called Home— a privately funded organization that keeps children off the streets in South central Los Angeles. She teaches cooking there and has opened a forum for women eager to express themselves and find comfort and support in keeping their children out of gangs. All proceeds from The Shoegoddess blog goes to A Place Called Home. Now isn’t that a cause worthy of new Louboutins?

Recently Florence has take on a new crusade when she joined “Mothers against gang violence”. MAGV was formed on January 23, 2007, after Councilwomen Janice Hahn, Wendy Greuel, and Jan Perry received unanimous support from their City Council colleagues to place a measure on the ballot to raise money to fund gang prevention, job training programs, apprenticeship programs, and after-school activities throughout the city. With the support of mothers throughout Los Angeles, this newly formed organization will work to end the cycle of gang violence once and for all.

About MAGV

Mothers Against Gang Violence Committee

To raise money to fund gang prevention, job training programs, apprenticeship programs, and after-school activities throughout the city. With the support of mothers throughout Los Angeles, this newly formed organization will work to end the cycle of gang violence once and for all.

The Los Angeles Crime Prevention, Job Training, Anti-Gang and After-School Program

Measure will:

• Raise $30 million annually through a $3.33 per month parcel tax dedicated solely to gang prevention and after-school programs. Funding will be used to provide vocational, job training and apprenticeship programs.

• Expand and improve gang prevention, anti-gang, and anti-bullying programs.

• Expand and improve after-school programs including tutoring/mentoring in reading, math, science, and recreational activities such as outdoor recreation, art and music instruction.

• Increase programs to get kids out of gangs

• Coordinate youth neighborhood cleanup programs, and graffiti removal.

• Mandate an annual audit by the City Controller and review by a Citizen’s Oversight Committee, ensuring accountability and effectiveness.

Here are the facts about gang violence in Los Angeles:

• Gang-related crime increased by 14% last year in the City of L.A.

• Gang-related crime costs the City and taxpayers over $2 billion

annually.

• There are currently more than 700 gangs and over 40 thousand

gang members in L.A.

• In many parts of the City, children as young as 8 years old are forced

to join a gang to get to and from school without being harassed or assaulted.