Atomic Love Explosion's origin

ALEx is based on the Pay it Forward concept. Every grant recipient must be willing to “pay it forward” to another person, family, or group. That means they identify a need in their community, explain the purpose of ALEx, help them apply, and share 5% of their own ALEx grant with them.

Origin of the phrase “Atomic Love Explosion”

This phrase emerged from a discussion over a decade ago in a small home church (The Abundant Table).

Atomic—speck, iota, shred, trace, tiny bit, smidgeon, crumb, sliver

Love—affection, friendship, involvement, passion, regard, strong interest, fondness, enthusiasm, support, respect, reverence, commitment, open-heartedness, generosity, fierceness, perseverance, what-it-takes, neighborliness

Explosion—expansion, multiplication, rocketing, uptrend, escalation, growth, snowballing, dramatic increase

Past

In 2013, we became involved with the Mixteco Indigenous group in Oxnard, California, when more than 30 families lost their homes in a fire. Within two years, we created an official nonprofit charity to “befriend, celebrate, and support” more of these courageous, resourceful, and hopeful people. It is called Friends of Fieldworkers, Inc. (FoF)

FoF responded to basic needs for food, clothing, diapers, baby items, medical and dental care, and some rental and utility help. Additionally, it provided school and art materials, children’s books, and literacy projects. Laundry Love was held once a month in two city laundromats (Oxnard and Port Hueneme) where families came to do their laundry, free of charge, and were provided with all laundry supplies. It also allowed us to visit, read, and do art with the children, catch up on family news, and distribute fresh organic fruit and vegetables, clothing, and household items.

Pandemic activities, as described in the book by Judy Fisk Lucas, Small Acts, Big Love: Friends of Fieldworkers' Pandemic Diary, included making weekly home deliveries of clothing, shoes, food, medicine, toys, books, art and school supplies, and special treats. We also responded to our families’ births, deaths, terminal illnesses, moves, and other family events. At any given time, we worked with about 25 families.

Present

Ten years later, we see a new set of interests and needs emerging in this fieldworker community. The children are graduating from high school. They are deciding what to study and what to do now. One graduated from UC Berkeley and is pursuing law school. One graduated from CSUCI in social work. Three are attending local community colleges. Some are caring for new babies. Some parents are interested in expanding their options in the U.S. by studying English and eventually going to college or technical school. 

After turning Friends of Fieldworkers over to new leadership, we founded Atomic Love Explosion, Inc. (ALEx), on the Fourth of July in 2023. We are a nonprofit charity based on the Pay it Forward concept. We provide financial assistance primarily to low-income, indigenous, and immigrant people, who are encouraged to pinpoint a dream or a problem to solve and to develop a plan, including a grant request. We attempt to offer support as needed, but we are unable to fund all applications.