ELIZABETH EASTLUND, LCSW, has 24 years of organizational leadership experience and has been engaged in social justice activism for over three decades Starting her social work career working on Skid Row in Los Angeles, housing is a big passion, as is ensuring justice and support for those who have experienced the trauma of homelessness, addictions, and/or gender-based violence. In addition, Elizabeth provided direct clinical services to persons living with HIV/AIDS for 12 years. With a strong foundation in harm reduction, I believe in trauma informed care, building and evaluating survivor centered programs and influencing public policy to center survivors needs. With a group of other bad ass advocates I helped to found the LA DV Homeless Services Coalition when I was the executive director of Rainbow Services, a domestic violence organization providing shelter and support services to survivors while advocating for policy and resources that support their healing journey. I have extensive experience coordinating community efforts to increase and support survivors’ safe housing options.

During my non-profit career, I held many leadership positions, including the Chair of the City of Los Angeles DV Alliance, the steering committee of the Provider Alliance to End Homelessness, Board member of the CA Partnership to End DV, and Advisor to Trauma Informed Learning Alliance. All groups work to bring together various sectors to address housing, homelessness, addressing trauma and DV.

My efforts to connect systems and advocate for the safe housing needs of survivors have been recognized by:
• Rainbow Services Dreamer & Doer Award (2017)
• The CA Partnership to End DV’s Partnership Award (2018)
• The Los Angeles County DV Council’s Betty Fischer Award (2020)
• The Los Angeles County Commission for Women’s Presidents Award (2021)