On page one THANKFUL TO SERVE From Herb Smith Find out how you can HELP FEED THOUSANDS at our Annual Thanksgiving Meal Hear from Mission staffers on GIVING THANKS AND GIVING BACK in their own words november 2011 CrossRoads www.losangelesmission.org For so many who come... hope begins with a meal. News from the Los Angeles Mission 75 Celebrating 75 Years of Hope! events What, when, where page 1 special gift opportunity Buy a Seat of Compassion today page 4 congrats to our grads Urban Training Institute graduates 15 people page 4 AARP VISITS THE MISSION Volunteers serve celebration lunch page 5 Feed thousands This Thanksgiving Special guest chef! page 2
my view events CrossRoads Thankful to Serve Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. It s a season that reminds us of how important it is to be grateful for all the blessings that God brings into our lives. For me, one of those blessings is the opportunity to help serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal to our friends and neighbors on Skid Row. Each year, around 3,000 hungry, hurting people arrive at the Mission to spend a few hours in a warm and caring environment while enjoying a hearty turkey dinner. They also get to hear about other Mission programs that can help them change their lives, like Urban Training Institute (UTI). Many Los Angeles Mission staff members are living proof Y EARS that UTI works, because they ve graduated from it themselves! In this issue, we introduce you to a few of them. I hope you ll be inspired by their words. HOPE AND HEALING SINCE 1936 It s true that when we serve, we receive so many blessings in return not the least of which is the blessing of knowing that we are having a positive impact on the lives of others. Thank you for serving along with us, and helping to make a difference! E-Waste Collection: NOVEMBER 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Take your unwanted electronics to the Oriental Mission Church s Thanksgiving E-Waste Collection event. E-waste can be dropped off at their parking lot at 424 N. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004. For more information, contact Ivan Klassen at (213) 629-1227, ext. 325 or iklassen@lamission.net Annual Thanksgiving Meal: NOVEMBER 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Volunteer Orientation: DECEMBER 3, 9-11 a.m. Contact Sheila Moweta at volunteers@lamission.net for more information. Annual Christmas Meal: DECEMBER 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Solar City Give yourself the gift of Solar with zero down payment and give the Mission a $1,200 commission. Contact Shawn Luke Maez at (949) 310-8192 or email smaez@solarcity. com and mention the Los Angeles Mission. Stay Connected Follow us online! See our latest videos, check out volunteer opportunities, make safe online donations and keep up with the latest Mission news at www.losangelesmission.org Become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/losangelesmission Follow us on Twitter: TheLAMission Subscribe to our video channel: vimeo.com/ lamission/videos Herb Smith President Many thanks to all who made our 75th Gala a wonderful success, including the Four Seasons at Beverly Hills, our caring donors, and sponsors the John W. Carson Foundation, Wells Fargo Bank, and Akin Gump. 1 News from Los Angeles Mission
CrossRoads Help Feed Thousands this Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is really a highlight of the year for the staff, students, and volunteers who serve at the Los Angeles Mission. We are getting ready to serve a Thanksgiving dinner to thousands of our friends and neighbors on Skid Row. Wells Fargo is sponsoring the Thanksgiving event for the fourth year, as well as providing volunteers to help serve over 3,000 turkey dinners on November 23. The Wells Fargo Historic Stagecoach will again make its grand appearance, loaded with scores of hygiene items for the community. Although we will have all the traditional elements, this year we will be serving a holiday meal with a bit of a nontraditional twist. We are proud to announce that along with Chef Chris Cormier and his team at the Los Angeles Mission, special guest chef Roy Choi of the Kogi Truck fame will prepare the Thanksgiving meal. Chef Choi will be bringing his renowned and mouthwatering flavors along with his Asian-inspired tastes to create a meal like none ever served on Skid Row. For so many who come that day, hope begins with a meal and that delicious Thanksgiving dinner just might be the first step they take toward restoring their lives. www.losangelesmission.org Giving thanks a At the Los Angeles Mission, we are grateful for the ma Here s what they are thankful for this season: Ron Rector Vice President of Facilities and Operations Graduated: 1993 I m thankful for the relationship I have with my wife...thankful for my family, my kids. I ve come to learn over the past five years that family is more important than anything. And being a good father, because my brother and I, we didn t have one growing up and I can see the importance of that. Tim Law Executive Director of Men s Services Graduated: 1994 I m thankful for being in a place that allows me to give back...if I weren t able to give back and do what I m doing, I don t think I would be complete. And it s all because of people that give to the Los Angeles Mission, that support the Los Angeles Mission, that realize how important it is, what we do here. Because when we impact the life of one person who comes through the program, it s not just that one person. It s everything that they re connected to. 2 Jeff Thomas, Jr. Audio/Visual Coordinator Graduated: 1995 I m thankful that I was given opportunity after opportunity. The people that I ve met, the friends that I have now, I m thankful for that.
nd giving back ny wonderful individuals who have gone through our Urban Training Institute and later joined our staff. Gwendolyn Pendleton-Clipper Day Services Aid for Anne Douglas Center Graduated: 2002 I m thankful to Anne Douglas, who started this center for women for her passion, for her dedication and her generosity. We have a lot of people who care about our guests, just like we have our donors here who care so much about us, but it starts off with God. I m thankful for the individuals who donate I praise God. Keith Newton Jumpstart Chaplain Graduated: 1997 I m so grateful to be able to speak into men s lives, to encourage them. That s such a joy...i know that these are critical, crucial times, but I really believe that God blesses the efforts [of the donors] because they are sowing into something that is so significant...and I just want to thank them. Joseph Rosales Security Graduated: 2008 I m thankful for the joy that my heart has been feeling and going through. I m thankful for the doors that are opening and the path that is before me. I m thankful that I can say no to the addiction that I ve left. I can t say no to the addiction without God in my life. I m thankful my mom and my family can be at ease knowing that I m doing good... To God be the glory and the blessing mine. David Thomas Assistant Director of Food Services Graduated: 1999 God has given me a family, and I m able to provide for my wife and my niece and nephew... God has given me the opportunity and the strength to become a good role model and father, and I thank God for that every day. Michael Nooner, Chaplain Graduated: 1993 I m so grateful to be able to talk to men and tell them how my life has changed and how their lives can change and how they can come into a new beginning... I m very thankful to God and thankful to the leadership here, to the ministry and to all the people who donate and give to this ministry. Barry Turbin Security and Supervisor of the Swing Shift Graduated: 2000 I m thankful for another year of life. I m thankful for my birthday that just passed. I m thankful for God using me to touch others lives. 3
Congrats to Our Grads! On October 14, the Los Angeles Mission celebrated the graduation of 15 students in our Urban Training Institute (UTI) program. We are so proud of what they have accomplished, and thankful for our donors who help make it possible for people to change their lives for good. UTI requires a one-year commitment, and provides discipleship, academic and vocational training courses along CrossRoads with rehabilitation services that address the devastating effects of homelessness and substance abuse. The program also trains, counsels and assists students as they transition back into society. Give a Memorable Holiday Gift to Your Loved Ones As the holiday gift-giving season approaches, why not consider buying something that not only helps those in need, but also serves as a reminder of your involvement with the Los Angeles Mission? For a $1,000 gift to the Mission, the front of a seat in our beautiful, domed Holsinger Chapel will be permanently graced with a tasteful brass plaque engraved with the name(s) of your choice. These plaques provide a wonderful opportunity to honor someone you love, or to be remembered yourself for being such an important part of our work, providing warm meals, shelter, and compassionate services to those who are homeless and those in recovery. To purchase one of these Seats of Compassion, please contact Eddie Santiago at (213) 629-1227, ext. 421. Call now to reserve yours in time for the holidays! 4
CrossRoads AARP Provides 75th Anniversary Celebration Meal On Wednesday, September 21, the AARP came to the Los Angeles Mission and provided a wonderful 75th Anniversary celebration lunch for our staff and Skid Row neighbors. Many volunteers, along with Executive Chef Scott Richard from Denny s America, served up a delicious meal of top select sirloin, garlic mashed potatoes, chef-cut vegetables, dinner rolls and strawberry shortcake ice cream. As one diner joyfully exclaimed, This is one of the best meals I have ever eaten, not only here, but anywhere! Donate Your Old Car to the Los Angeles Mission Are you thinking of selling or trading in your old car, boat or RV? Why not donate it instead? As a charitable donation, your contribution will make a valuable difference to the Los Angeles Mission. Check with your tax advisor about the benefits an auto donation can represent for you. Call 1 (888) 452-5700 today! Be sure to specify that you want the net proceeds of your gift to benefit the Los Angeles Mission. Create Your Own Donation Drive Get creative with your friends, family, co-workers and church groups as you help the Los Angeles Mission stock up on some of our most-needed items. The Mission will provide boxes for your collection, and will pick up the items once your drive is complete. Protein Power We greatly appreciate gifts of canned tuna, ham, chicken and other meats that add much-needed protein to our meals. Clean and Fresh Help provide basic hygiene necessities, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap and dental floss. Support Your Sisters! We need comfortable bras and women s undergarments of all sizes. This drive is great for women s groups and clubs. Smart Start Donations of coffee and breakfast food (especially cereal) will help us get our community members mornings off to a healthy start. building blocks Get creative with your friends and hold a canned goods sculpture contest. Your canned goods creation will raise awareness before its deconstruction and donation to the Mission. For more drive ideas, contact Tina Russek at (213) 629-1227, ext. 437. Yes! I want to help provide hope along with warm Thanksgiving meals to hungry and hurting men and women. 75 Here s my gift of: m $25 m $50 m $150 m $ Please make your check payable to: LOS ANGELES MISSION. To give a gift by credit card, visit us online at losangelesmission.org or call (213) 629-1227, ext. 400. NAME ADDRESS APT CITY STATE ZIP @ E-MAIL 303 E. 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 THANK YOU! A receipt for your tax-deductible gift will be sent to you shortly. N11B 5