Ahead of Her Long-Awaited Live Return, Miley Cyrus Takes Us Inside Her Philanthropic Focus: ‘There Is Much More to Do’

At the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, Miley Cyrus won video of the year for her smash hit “Wrecking Ball.” But what she did next made bigger news – and had a much greater impact.

Instead of accepting the Moon Person trophy herself, Cyrus sent the 22-year old, once-homeless Jesse Helt onstage to receive it on her behalf.

Reading from notecards, Helt directed everyone in the room and watching at home to Cyrus’ Facebook page, where they were encouraged to donate to Los Angeles community center My Friend’s Place (MFP).

Soon after, Cyrus launched her Happy Hippie Foundation, now a part of her Miley Cyrus Foundation.

“I have always thought of home as my safe place, and I have always had my family who loved me and supported me no matter what.

When I started my foundation 12 years ago, I was really moved by the fact that many people, especially people my age at the time, were going through life without either,” Cyrus says today.

“And also that I could be living so close, right here in L.A., to where there was such an intense need among youth experiencing homelessness.” Cyrus now cites that moment at the VMAs as pivotal, saying: “I knew I wanted to use my platform to shine a light on the issues affecting real people that too often we ignore.” Since then, Cyrus has continued supporting My Friend’s Place — and, since 2024, the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) as well.

This month, she is doubling down on those commitments in a major way.

On Oct.

7, My Friend’s Place unveiled plans for a new campus that will offer resources and support in a safe environment for youth experiencing homelessness – with Cyrus named Honorary Chair.

Then, on Oct.

10, Cyrus was honored alongside her mom Tish at DWC’s 2026 Every Woman Housed Gala.

In celebration, The Miley Cyrus Foundation (MCF) donated $1 million to support the organization, which will help fund its new housing development in Los Angeles’ Skid Row. (L-R) Heather Carmichael, Miley Cyrus and Tish Cyrus-Purcell attend the Every Woman Housed Gala honoring Miley Cyrus and Tish Cyrus-Purcell: a benefit for the Downtown Women’s Center at Vibiana on October 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MCF Heather Carmichael, executive director of My Friend’s Place, says there is no one word to sum up what Cyrus’ support has meant over the past 12 years.