Give A Shit
Va’La Hospitality, a bar consultancy group born from a desire to give back to their industry, stopped agonizing over how undocumented workers affected by COVID-19 would feed their families — and acted.
In just 24 hours, partners Damian Diaz and Othón Nolasco, created No Us Without You LA a public charity aimed at providing food relief to the most disenfranchised hospitality workers affected by the pandemic. Using their own money, the partners discovered they could feed a family of 4 for one week for just $33.
No Us Without You LA has transformed Va’La Hospitality’s Boyle Heights office into a food distribution center. Currently, over 40,000 lbs of food is distributed every month. Donations have enabled the two partners to provide pantry essentials and fresh produce to back-of-house staff such as dishwashers, line and prep cooks. Thus, they have kept alive the heart and soul of the restaurant and bar industry, who are often treated as dispensable.
Launched with a goal of feeding 30 families a week, No Us Without You LA is currently(As of April 2024) providing food security for over 700 families monthly. Diaz and Nolasco plan on offering food relief packages through 2024(and beyond) as a way to show undocumented BOH workers that they are not forgotten. They are not in the shadows. They are seen, heard, and respected.
Our Founders
Othón Nolasco
Born and bred Angeleno Othón Nolasco considers founding No Us Without You LA to be both the end and beginning of his life of service.
From a young age, Othón was instilled with the significance of his birthplace-Boyle Heights, the center of Mexican-American culture in Los Angeles. His Parents taught him, ”to never forget where he came from”. These words would become steadfast reminders of what hard work paired with pride for the task at hand would result in-living a life with few regrets.
An altar boy who became a bartender in college and then a medic who became a respected leader while overseeing operations at some of the best bars in America.
Othón often says that he “is proud to feed those who have fed us for years” this rings true if you’ve ever had the pleasure of working in the hospitality industry in Los Angeles. Undocumented back of house staff are the reason for LA having such a high caliber of food and drink establishments. They are the unsung heroes of the industry which has shaped the success of so many, including Othón.
It is difficult for him to attribute the timing of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ensuing shutdown and what No Us Without You LA would become.
Othón knows that he and his partner Damián Diaz were meant to take action to provide food security for families in need.
Damián Diaz
Damián Diaz is originally from Vallejo, CA but has made Los Angeles his home since 2010.
He had a dual upbringing both with his family here in the US as well as those on Mexican soil, as his families roots stem from Aguascalientes Mexico.
These experiences have led him to obtain a concrete foundation from his Mexican heritage as well as an understanding for the immigrant experience. His families roots have instilled the essence of pain, hard work, and perseverance; while his own experiences have cultivated the idea of compassion, persistence and patience as a mantra.
He is a seasoned hospitality Veteran who has helped to shape some the most noted establishments in Los Angeles, alongside many BOH workers he calls his friends.
Damián believes in the narrative that the underdog weaves. He roots for the Individual that puts in the work regardless of how uneven the playing field may seem. The story of the undocumented worker who wants to provide for their family so that they too can have a fighting chance to live the life they deserve.
Damián believes that what his Business partner Othon Nolasco and him have created is straight forward; We are humans helping humans.
He exhibits the same level of hospitality whether it’s an illustrious bar, or out on the streets themselves. He believes that the immigrant worker has served as a corner stone in our nation’s history, and that this community deserves to feel the same level of humanity as any other in this country. In talking to all the families on a weekly basis, he reminds them all that regardless of status in this country we all bleed the same.
“Never Doubt That A Group Of Thoughtful, Committed Individuals Can Change The World”
Our team is a tight knit group of committed individuals who come from all backgrounds. Centered around the hospitality industry they’ve all known what it means to know the very people No Us Without You LA helps. Comprised of Chefs, Bartenders, Bar Managers, Brand Workers; They come together every day, to work hard, and take care of the people who took care of them every day in their careers .