M I S S I O N : TO HELP HOMELESS CHILDREN AND T H E I R FA M I L I E S

E D I T I O N 1

Family Promise
CONGREGATIONS ON BOARD
V O L U M E 2 A P R I L 1 ,

of the South Bay

Angeles. Another report I read near the end of last year said on any given night in Los Angeles County there were 100,000 people without housing. Either number is scary and a disgrace. The numbers for the South Bay are not any better according to the LAHSA. In the South Bay there were 6,788 homeless in 2011. That was a 25% increase since 2009. 5,133 of those were single adults and 1,543 were family units (members). They listed 12 as being unaccompa-

2 0 1 2

Scary Numbers
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST: Progress, Progress, Progress Personal Testimony

Interim Board of Directors:

Chair Frank Mitchell Vice Chair Julie Jacks Treasurer Paul Tyan Secretary Angie Rosen Development Lynne Redderson Project Manager Chery Carew Core Members John & Diana Sencerbox Wally & Charlotte Sandberg Mary Ellen Osborne Jeremy Levi Donna Reib Linda Galati

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Association has provided us with some very scary numbers. They conduct a census like count of homeless in the Los Angeles area so the numbers they provide are likely a bit lower than actual because they probably miss some people when they count and because not everyone is as forthcoming to admit their status as they should be. But here goes. In 2011 there were 51,340 homeless in Los

nied youth under the age of 18. Here are some more interesting numbers of those homeless 19.8% are veterans, 40% are women or children, 67% are unsheltered (meaning they do not have a facility to stay at during the evening), 24% are chronically homeless and 32% have a Bachelors degree or higher. So many times when we give presentations we hear that the homeless are drug addicts or alcoholics, but this survey proves otherwise. Between 6267% of the homeless are on the street not because of addictions but because of circumContinued...

Its About You..A Personal Testimony

I almost cannot believe I am writing this for the newsletter. I have never shared this information with any but some extremely close friends. There are even some of my family members who do not know. All of you reading this newsletter know me. We have met. But you will probably be surprised at what I am admitting. The reason I am involved with trying to get Family Promise of the South Bay going is very simple. Several years ago I was hit with a triple or quadruple whammy that left me devastated. The company I worked for went bankrupt and closed their doors without notice. Then, my wife decided she wanted a divorce. Next my father passed away. I was wondering
Continued...

PAGE

Scary Numbers continued...

stances like the bad economy, losing their jobs or reasons other than addiction. One half of all households in Los Angeles spend 30% of their income on rent so you can easily realize how the loss of a job can impact a family in such a way that they are homeless very quickly. I started a homeless breakfast at a previous church I attended and one of my fellow elders was against the effort. He said he did not want his children to see homeless people. I asked him if the kids ever left the house because if they did it didnt matter, wherever they went they would see homeless. These numbers prove that to be true. I got off the 110 fwy at Sepulveda the other day and a tent was up along the wash, I saw a man and woman and two kids who were living in it. He had lost his job caring for the womens medical issues and now they were homeless.

Hospitality is our gift to them.

Progress, Progress
Car Show

Card Board Box City

Do you like hot rods, suped up Chevys, low-riders, old little deuce coupes, or any old or tricked out car? If so we have a great idea for you. Lynn Redderson, Dorie Hernandez and Kirk Kubick of our Fundraising Committee are putting together plans for a car show to raise funds for Family Promise. Now is the time to volunteer to help them plan the event or to volunteer to staff the event. We need you to pitch in and help. Next on their agenda is the Card Board Box City this event is first to raise funds by recruiting folks to build a card board box shelter to sleep in overnight on July 28 on the lawn of First Christian Church in Torrance. Volunteers will get pledges to do this. For more information see the flyer in this publication. Our Host Recruitment Committee is making presentations to various congregation leaders. They are getting some very favorable reactions to the program. Doors are beginning to open. Family Promise of the South Bay is going to happen. Jump on board now and help us do it!

Families staying together.

Additionally our website is nearly up and running. Take a peek at www.familypromiseosb.org

FAMILY OF THE

PROMISE SOUTH BAY

EDITION

VOLUME

PAGE

A Personal Testimony Continued..

what could possibly happen next when a health issue put me into the hospital for major surgery. With hospital bills, alimony, child support, rent and other expenses all my money was soon gone. I tried everything I could think of to get a job. Entry level jobs would not hire me because I was over qualified and jobs in my profession were few and far between. A friend let me sleep in his garage for 3 months then his landlord found out and I had to leave. I lived in my car for 6 months until it broke down and was towed away. I lived under a freeway overpass for a while. Things were really bad. I stood outside a shopping center with a sign that said
WILL WORK FOR FOOD.

of the mess. Like many homeless people I was losing hope and did not think anyone cared. Imagine how much tougher it is for a person with a child. What do they do with the child when they are trying to find work? Where do they get food for the hungry child when they have no money? Where do they sleep that is safe? I was blessed in having someone come along who could help me. Now I want to be able to help others who are in the position I was in long ago. Family Promise offers that opportunity.

I can remember the pure thrill of someone handing a box of raisin bran cereal as they drove out of the parking lot. I had something to eat. I cried with gratefulness. Many days passed where all I had to eat were the peanuts I would grab from a restaurant that had a barrel of peanuts sitting in their lobby. I would walk in when a crowd went in and grab a handful and quickly walk out. I did not drink or smoke or do drugs and I was asking, Why me? I could not figure out how to get out

Will Work for Food

Congratulations to Good Shepherd Lutheran church in Tor-

rance and the First Lutheran church of Inglewood for coming on board as our newest Host Congregations! Nice work Julie and our recruiting team!

We are always looking for your help with this important ministry whether it be phone calls, coming to our meetings or your monetary donations. To find out how you can help or make a donation please contact our Chair, Frank Mitchell or Vice Chair, Julie Jacks.

First Christian Church 2930 El Dorado Street Torrance, CA 90503

Stamp

We are an INTERFAITH organization helping children and their families who are facing or dealing with homelessness.

Our next board meeting is February 19th at 7:00pm at First Christian Church Torrance Come and learn how you can really help these children and their families. If not you then who? Bring a friend and impress them with how community minded you are.

Got a Story to Share?

Send it to us and maybe we will put it in the next newsletter.

Contact information:
Frank Mitchell-Chair (310) 625-9030 Julie Jacks-Vice Chair (310) 798-9081

Mailing: Family Promise of the South Bay Attention Chery Carew 2930 El Dorado Street Torrance, CA 90503 www.familypromiseosb.org