this issue

On page two
On page three
...a hopeful
future
Our View
Education:
The life-changer
Break the cycle of poverty...
On page four
Meals
a Month
Make an impact all year long!
CROSSROADS
News from the Los Angeles Mission
AUGUST 2016
LosAngelesMission.org
“
It’s wonderful to
have a second
chance in life.
~BERNADETTE
WASHINGTON
ADC GRADUATE
”
Redemption and
second chances
Before I came to the Anne Douglas Center,
my life was a living hell. I was living like
an animal and I didn’t even care.
Read Bernadette’s story on PAGE 2
GIVE
HOPE:
See how you
r s up
makes an im port
pact
on page 3!
OUR VIEW
Herb Smith
President/CEO
Steven W. Schultze
Vice President of
Men’s Program
Education leads
to a hopeful future
Education is fundamental to
anyone’s success in today’s economy.
We emphasize education as part of
the hopeful future we see for each
student in our programs.
At the Mission, education is key
in working toward restoration to
independence. Independence includes
living off your earnings, not a longterm government subsidy. Lack of
skills or education are sometimes
the triggers that place people on
the streets, and by providing the
opportunity of education, our friends
and neighbors have a chance at
a brighter future.
We believe education has the
power to change futures and with
your generosity, you give the
Mission the opportunity to unlock
that power for the hurting and
homeless in our community.
Your support makes it all
possible! Thank you for all you do!
Did you know?
Continued from cover
A commitment to finish
One day, after doing drugs off and on for 42 years, I had enough.
I started crying and praying to God. I went to my wallet and had the
business card for the Anne Douglas Center, because I had been in the
program before. I called and asked if I could come back. I’m 55 years
old and it’s wonderful to have a
second chance in life at this age.
When they let me come back
in, I made up my mind that I was
going to finish and not let anything
stop me. I wanted to better myself
and I wanted a closer relationship
with the Lord.
“
When they let
me come back in,
I made up my mind
that I was going to
finish and not let
anything stop me.
”
I graduated in June, and it
was one of the most wonderful
~BERNADETTE WASHINGTON
ADC GRADUATE
experiences of my life. I never
graduated from sixth grade, junior
high or high school. I am rebuilding my relationship with my
son and grateful to be an active part of my new church. I also
plan to work toward my dream of being a veterinarian’s assistant.
The Mission also allowed me to work toward my GED, which has
been a blessing.
The Mission has taught me the meaning of responsibility,
perseverance and faithfulness. I want to thank the donors from
the bottom of my heart for allowing me to get
a second chance. It means the world to me. Thanks to friends like
you, Bernadette received
a second chance at life.
Your support helps
provide hope and
healing to hurting
people throughout
our community!
The Mission gave away 1,055
backpacks filled with school supplies
to children in our community last
year. Thank you
for helping us
create a brighter
future for
children living
on Skid Row!
2
GIVE
HOPE:
Im
Investing in hope
I needed help
Melvin Cormier came to the Mission
pact a life
so I came to
in need of healing from stress and
today!
the Mission.
his addictions to several drugs. He
shares his story about how the Mission
Thank God for the Mission
helped him get back on the right path.
I entered the Jump Start Program,
My life was pretty
reestablished my
I feel blessed to
balanced but I walked
relationship with God
away from God and as
give back to the and, in October of 2012,
a result I relapsed. I was
same community I graduated.
addicted to everything—
Today, I live on my
I came from.
crack cocaine, speed,
own
in Downtown
alcohol.
~MELVIN CORMIER
Los
Angeles
and work
MISSION GRADUATE
Because of the mental
for the Los Angeles
stress, in addition to my addictions,
Homeless Service Authority. I’m part
I resigned from my job. I knew
of the emergency response team
helping others throughout Los Angeles
County. I feel blessed to give back to
the same community I came from.
I want to thank the donors
for supporting the Mission and
investing in people like me so we
can build a foundation and put our
lives back in order. Thank you for
making it all possible.
“
”
Your support makes an impact
every day. God bless you!
Education: The life-changer
When it comes to breaking the cycle
of homelessness and poverty in our
community, education is the key.
Most studies will tell you that if
someone is born into poverty, there is
a high likelihood that they will stay in
poverty into their adult life. At the Mission,
we stress the value of education at every
stage of our Fresh Start program in order
to break that cycle.
“Much of homelessness is related
to economics that are driven by
underemployment due to lack of basic
educational skills,” says Herb Smith,
Los Angeles Mission President/CEO.
“Therefore, we place great weight on
a GED and reading skills.”
CROSSROADS
Thank you!
The Los Angeles Mission would like to
thank the following employers for
taking part in our 2016 Career Fair.
Thank you for partnering with us to
make our local community stronger!
• ABM Services
• Advanced Computing Institute
• Alamitos Group Jiffy Lube
• California Pizza Kitchen
• Catholic Charities
• Continuity Care Home Nurses
• Coca-Cola
• Department of Rehabilitation
• Double Tree Hilton – Commerce
• Easter Seals Southern California
• El Pollo Loco
• Employment Development Department
• Express Employment Professionals
• First Rate Staffing Corporation
• Goodwill/Central San Gabriel
• Inclusion Services, LLC
• InterCoast Colleges
your support, we’ll pass out thousands of
backpacks to children living around Skid
Row, filled with school and art supplies they
can use for their upcoming school year.
• JVS Works – Los Angeles Worksource
“The children in our area have barely
enough family income to survive on
household essentials like food and shelter.
The “extras” like school and art supplies,
backpacks, school clothes, etc. just
don’t happen without the help of our
donors,” Smith says. “Self-esteem grows
because someone cares.”
• Los Angeles County Fire Department
Your generosity can break the cycle
of poverty and homelessness for an
individual or family in need.
• JVS Works – Marina Del Rey
• Kaiser Permanente
• Labor Ready – Whittier
• Los Angeles Mission
• Los Angeles World Airport
• PAC West Security Service
• PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)
• Penske Truck Leasing
• Pepperdine Legal Aid Clinic
• Smart & Final Stores, LLC
• Sodexo Marriott
• Southland Transit, Inc.
• SRO Housing
Not only does the Mission stress
education for our students, but we also
want to reach the children living on or
around Skid Row. The earlier children learn
about the importance of education, the
better chances are that they will not fall into
homelessness and poverty later in life.
• Teruko Weinberg
That’s why our annual End of Summer
Art & Education Fair on August 27th is
so vital to our community. And thanks to
• Weingart Center – AmeriCorps
• Transdev (LADASH)
• Universal Protection Services
• University of Southern California
• Vallarta Supermarkets
• Volunteers of America HVRP – LA
• Weingart Center Association
3
• Wells Fargo Bank
UPCOMING EVENTS
Become a Meals a
Month Partner today!
Volunteer Orientation:
August 6th and September 3rd, 9-11 a.m.
Come join us as a volunteer! To register, please
visit us online at LosAngelesMission.org/act
It takes a cohesive, holistic
approach to change a life and
break the cycle of poverty and
homelessness.
A
APRIL
FISCAL YTD
MONTH
That’s why we hope you’ll prayerfully
consider becoming a Meals a Month partner
today. Monthly donations help us budget
more effectively and keep our services
running all year long. Thank you for
considering blessing the Mission in this way.
You’re
invited!
HOW YOUR GIFTS HELP
ALS
Education is so important to what
we do at the Mission, but that first step to
change is often a meal for someone in need.
End of Summer Art & Education Fair:
August 27th—A time to bless the children
and families living on Skid Row with school
supplies, food and fun!
Legacy of Vision Gala:
October 20th
For additional
information, please
contact Ivan Klassen
at (213) 629-1227,
ext. 325. Thank you!
ME
Meals and care
▸ It’s easy to sign up—simply fill out the
form below, or go online to our website:
LosAngelesMission.org/give. Or if you prefer,
call Nuria Mora at (213) 629-1227, ext. 334.
29,644
316,369
MEALS SERVED
9,020
88,957
NIGHTS OF SHELTER
4,474
101,969
CREATING A LEGACY: Making decisions that bring peace
“Some questions we’ll probably never have answered
this side of heaven. Why are there interstate highways in
Hawaii? Or, how does the guy who drives the snowplow
get to work in the morning?”
CLEAN SHOWERS
8,824
108,609
(Excerpt from Leadership Journal and Christian Reader.)
While these questions are somewhat tongue-in-cheek,
there are plenty of areas in life that can create real feelings
of uncertainty, but Scripture promises that certainty is
possible because God is faithful. According to 2 Corinthians
1:20, “For no matter how many promises God has made,
they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” He definitively honors His Word
▸ To request a FREE copy of “Experiencing
and can be trusted.
As many people approach retirement, they often wonder
how moving to a fixed income will affect their lives. The
good news is a Charitable Gift Annuity can provide the
certainty and security they seek. CGAs are part investment
and part gift to a ministry like Los Angeles Mission—a wise
decision that will be good for years to come!
You don’t have to feel trapped in uncertainty. Trust
God to help you make decisions that will be good for
a lifetime.
Certainty in Uncertain Times”:
1. Check the box on the enclosed reply
card and return it today
2. Contact Chris Doyle at the Los
Angeles Mission at (213) 629-1227,
ext. 432 or [email protected]
3. Or, bless your family today with
a God-honoring will at
www.christianwill.org/lamission
CLOTHING DISTRIBUTED [PIECES]
Many thanks to The Goldwin Foundation, the
Johnny Carson Foundation, City National Bank,
Wells Fargo Bank and LATLC (LA Trial Lawyers’
Charities) for sponsoring our 79th Gala.
STAY CONNECTED
Keep track of the latest Mission news,
make safe online donations and more.
LosAngelesMission.org
Yes, Herb. I want to provide hope and a brighter future for struggling individuals
and families in our community.
I’ve enclosed: m $25 m $50 m $150 m $________
ME
A
ALS
MONTH
m I want to become a Meals a Month partner
and give a monthly gift of $________.
My first gift is enclosed. (Please check the box in the Giving Options section.)
m I would like to receive my FREE copy of “Experiencing Certainty in Uncertain Times”
To give a gift by credit card, please fill out the information
below or call (213) 629-1227, ext. 400.
m Please charge my gift to my credit card.
Giving Options:
m One-time gift m Monthly gift
m EFT (include voided check)
m VISA
m MasterCard
m American Express
m Discover
303 E. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
losangelesmission.org
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
APT
@
STATE
ZIP
EMAIL
Please make your check payable to: Los Angeles Mission
and mail to: P.O. Box 60127, Los Angeles, CA 90060-0127
THANK YOU!
ACCOUNT NUMBER
CID/CVV
AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE
EXP. DATE
Double or triple your gift! Visit our matching gift page to find
out if your employer has a corporate matching gift program,
losangelesmission.org/give/matching-gifts
A receipt for your tax-deductible gift will be sent to you shortly.
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