Cultivating Community Peace and Wellness: Executive Director Michael Guedel on Resilient Agency’s Journey

When Michael Guedel founded Resilient Agency in 2018, the organization operated out of a single room in South LA with a vision rooted in peacebuilding and community trust. Today, under his leadership, Resilient has grown into a vital presence across South LA and Echo Park, serving over 188,000 people each year through food access, violence intervention, Safe Passage, youth development, and community health programs. Looking back on the agency’s evolution, Guedel reflects on how the needs of local families shaped the organization’s growth and continues to guide its mission.

From the start, the organization’s work centered on showing up consistently in neighborhoods that had historically been underserved. As Guedel explains, “We used a hyperlocal approach and made these resources accessible—not them coming to us, but us going to them.” In the communities Resilient Agency serves, many parents juggle long workdays, childcare needs, and limited transportation. Bringing services directly to them removes barriers that otherwise make it nearly impossible to access consistent support.

When Resilient Agency began, it focused primarily on community violence intervention from a small office in South LA. It soon developed additional programming to offer a more holistic approach to supporting families affected by violence. Guedel soon realized that resource sharing was the secret sauce: “community bonding develops through resource sharing, and with those bonds comes support from one another to each other when it comes to the peace building, the community events, and food distributions.” Since Resilient’s early days, when resource sharing was limited to one location, Guedel has expanded his organization’s reach to 17 rotating sites and include three permanent centers across Los Angeles.

Much of Resilient Agency’s identity is grounded in its long-standing work in peacebuilding and Safe Passage. Over the years, the agency has helped establish 31 Safe Passage and peace agreements across South LA and Echo Park, each one built through extensive dialogue, conflict mediation, and community-led problem-solving. “We have been able to save lives through our violence intervention program,” Guedel emphasizes, adding, “We have resolved conflict and eased tensions that otherwise would have led to violent outcomes, which historically has been the case in these communities.”

Guedel notes that Resilient Agency’s violence intervention experts have developed lines of communication between individuals and groups that have led to greater community peace. “We have seen these agreements open the door for them to give and receive support from one another,” Mr. Guedel says. Food distributions and community events have played a crucial role in strengthening these relationships. So have group outings, including Resilient Agency’s field trips to Catalina Island, where participants continue peacebuilding while learning about environmental stewardship, green jobs, and engaging in habitat restoration service projects. These shared experiences reinforce trust and deepen the connections that help keep communities safe.

In recent years, the communities Resilient Agency serves have faced compounding crises, including wildfires, the sudden suspension of SNAP benefits, and increased ICE raids. The agency responded immediately, thanks in large part to the commitment of volunteers. As Guedel shares, “The heart and soul of any nonprofit is the volunteers. It was really those volunteers who helped us go the extra mile to respond to the needs of the community, especially during times of crisis.” He recalls the early wildfire response in Pasadena and Altadena, where Resilient Agency was among the first organizations distributing protective equipment and food, ensuring families received essential support when it was needed most. Resilient also adapted quickly during periods of heightened ICE activity. “The ICE raids shook Los Angeles and continue to shake Los Angeles,” Mr. Guedel says. “Our role is to make sure we do not normalize something that should not feel normal. We will continue to do what we can, not only to help undocumented communities, but also to push back in the ways we can.” During the height of the raids, Resilient more than doubled the amount of food distributions, helped with resource sharing,

Resilient Agency has strengthened its community health work to meet the growing needs of families in South LA and Echo Park. “We are proud to say that we stand at the intersection of community health and community safety—we bridge the gap between peacebuilding and community health work in really essential ways.” Guedel describes this work as core to the organization’s identity. By combining health outreach with trusted community relationships, the CHW program strengthens the overall well-being of families and reinforces Resilient Agency’s commitment to meeting people where they are.

In FY24, Resilient’s community healthcare program reached 28,901 people through resource distribution, vaccination connections, educational workshops, and the annual Community Health Fair, which engaged more than 500 families. Community Health Workers provide neighborhood-based support that includes health education, chronic disease and mental health workshops, immunization referrals, and nutritional resources. This year marks a new chapter for the program as Resilient Agency begins partnering with Medi-Cal managed care plans and local healthcare organizations, expanding its ability to connect families to preventative care and laying the foundation for deeper community health partnerships in the years ahead.

As Resilient Agency looks toward the future, Guedel emphasizes the importance of community support. He shares, “All your contributions have helped us accomplish these goals. We are looking to make an even greater impact, and we know we can only do that with the support of our donors.” The agency is committed to deepening its youth programming, strengthening its community health partnerships, expanding Safe Passage networks, and maintaining its dedication to meeting families with dignity, consistency, and care.

At the heart of Resilient Agency’s work is Guedel’s belief that communities can rise from systemic inequities through collective strength and compassionate support. His leadership continues to shape an organization that builds safety, connection, and opportunity across South LA and Echo Park.