Los Angeles Mission's Blog

Today the South Town Star in the Chicago area reported that the Salvation Army has directed its mobile food vans not to cooperate with Census workers due to privacy concerns. While every agency must make its own decisions on employee policy, this one in my opinion is clearly wrong.

If privacy were a concern, I would be more concerned registering individuals living in emergency shelters rather than persons who get a box of food. The reality is, we need accurate counts and being uncooperative as an agency seems counterproductive.

Nobody is required to complete a survey. The Bureau has “cultural facilitators” to assist with language and culture issues. So, what’s up Army dudes? The Army has great programs, does amazing work in communities across the country. I just don’t get it.

Hopefully they will reconsider the public benefit of voluntary participation and encourage everyone, including those using mobile services to GET COUNTED!

--Herb Smith, President

# posted by Los Angeles Mission @ 10:59 AM 0 comments

It is census time and that includes here in Skid Row. The Los Angeles Mission believes it is imperative that everyone is counted accurately for the census. Although we do not receive funding directly, those we serve do benefit from an accurate allotment of federal funding for everything from emergency beds and food to permanent supportive housing for those with mental health needs. Last week we assisted the Bureau of the Census by hosting a news conference here at the Mission.

Simply put, if you want a meal, get counted! If you want a bed, get counted! If you need a bus token, get counted! If you want mental health or medical services, get counted! This is the message of the census for our homeless friends and neighbors.

For those of us more blessed, we too need to stand up and be counted for representation in Congress along with the fiscal support needed from Washington.

The process of counting has begun here at the Los Angeles Mission. We have a census worker in our lobby to assist our guests. We will report all those staying in our 450 beds and we will assist in the outreach activities including a booth at our Easter celebration on Friday April 2, 2010.

But, those most vulnerable and difficult to count will be found with the help of a number of our program graduates and staff volunteers! Cultural facilitators they say, but to me they are just friends helping friends to get counted.

I filled out my form and it was painless. I hope you fill out yours as well and when you do, remember those less fortunate that will be helped by this monumental task.

--Herb Smith, President

# posted by Los Angeles Mission @ 12:22 PM 0 comments

Seriously we all know the jokes about how heartless, driven or mean lawyers can be. But, I’m here to tell you that is not the case. On Saturday March 6, 2010 the Trial Lawyers Charities group volunteered here at the Los Angeles Mission. Along with funding our Adopt a Meal program for the day they also reached out to our friends and neighbors serving food and good cheer. It’s great to see that community can work here in Skid Row. Thanks for serving everyone!

Trial Lawyers Charities Team

--Herb Smith, President

# posted by Los Angeles Mission @ 7:44 AM 0 comments

One of the highlights of the holidays here at the Los Angeles Mission was having City Sound come and do a Christmas concert for our students and our guests. Our friends and neighbors (guests) as we call them had a chance to take their picture and hang it on our lobby tree. They also got a copy to take with them.

In addition to holiday goodies we assisted them in sending cards to family and friends. It seems like such a simple thing but without funds a card and stamp are beyond reach of our friends. I took the time to personally help some of them and I was blessed by their surprise and gratefulness. Hope begins with a meal at the Los Angeles Mission and sometimes it starts before with a glimmer of recognition to better days and the faces of family and friends.

Next year (or this one if like me your Christmas card deadline is Easter) take a moment to be grateful that you have someone that wants to hear from you. Be encouraged that you can still afford cards and stamps. And, remember our friends and neighbors who need to be encouraged off the concrete and into a home where love abounds.

-- Herb Smith, President

Photos from the Los Angeles Mission Christmas Card and City Sound Concert.

# posted by Los Angeles Mission @ 2:19 PM 0 comments

Al Seib, Los Angeles Times/Dec 14, 2009

You may not know the Los Angeles Mission is located within the Toy District. The Mission has always been diligent about keep our neighborhood and especially our facilities clean and safe. But, we are concerned that the New Year will bring about an additional challenge.

The Toy District landlords did not renew the BID program which keeps this area clean. Michael Hiltzik addressed the issue in his December 21^st Los Angeles Times. We call on the businesses and the City to address this issue before it gets out of hand. The last thing skid row needs is piles of trash decaying in our streets.

Business is bad and the Toy District’s demise has been building. However, the fact remains that public health and safety must be maintained. The Los Angeles Mission will continue to clean and police our block but we need the cooperation of all the landlords to assure the homeless are not once again engulfed in a mass of trash.

As part of our environmental concerns the Mission purchased a binding machine and is willing to take cardboard from the stores but we are not equipped to handle trash. We ask the landlords to act quickly to address this issue before it becomes bad for business and worse for the residents of Skid Row.

-- Herb Smith, President

# posted by Los Angeles Mission @ 9:20 AM 0 comments