When Kristen Cunningham arrived in Los Angeles in 2019, she came with a dream: to build a career as a comedy writer. But just months later, the entertainment industry came to a sudden halt as the pandemic disrupted productions across Hollywood. Like many creatives, Kristen found herself facing uncertainty about her next steps.
Searching for guidance and community, Kristen attended a résumé workshop hosted by JVS SoCal at the WeHo Works Career Center inside the West Hollywood Public Library. That experience introduced her to WoMentoring, a mentorship initiative supported by the JVS SoCal Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) designed to support women navigating career challenges and transitions.
“The environment was incredibly welcoming,” Kristen recalls. “It felt like people were truly rooting for you and encouraging you to use the resources available.”
Through WoMentoring, Kristen was matched with mentor Janis Hirsch, an accomplished television writer and producer. Their connection quickly became a turning point in Kristen’s journey.
“The advice Janis gave me was simple but powerful,” Kristen says. “She told me, ‘You’re a writer… focus on that. Show people that you’re a writer.’”
For Janis, the mentorship felt natural from the start. “I talked to her like a peer about writing,” Janis explains. “It felt inevitable that she would succeed, and that kind of confidence can be a huge booster.”
With Janis’s encouragement, Kristen applied for and received a WLN Impact Grant through JVS SoCal. The grant allowed her to enroll in a specialized “writers’ room” course led by television writer Allyson Fouse, giving her valuable industry insight and hands-on learning.
“The gift of being able to learn without the pressure of financial burden was incredibly important,” Kristen says. “We had showrunners and working writers come in and share their experiences. It was amazing.”
Today, Kristen is seeing the results of that investment. She has completed a television pilot and is refining the script through revisions, what writers call “punch-ups.”
“That’s when I really feel it,” she says. “Like, ‘Oh yeah, you’re a writer.’”
Janis continues to cheer her on. “It’s so hard to get a leg up in the entertainment industry,” she says. “But programs like this allow talented people like Kristen to see what the industry really looks like—and how they can succeed.”
If you’re inspired by Kristen’s story and would like to help someone else achieve their dream, please donate today.