According to a 2009 study by the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (lahsa), there are more than 48,000 homeless people in Los Angeles. Homeless people in Los Angeles come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including veterans, people with mental illness or substance abuse problems, families, victims of domestic violence, youth and other individuals. There are several non-profit organizations in Los Angeles working to help homeless persons by providing food, clothing, shelter and other services. Help those less fortunate by donating to one of these philanthropic organizations.
Women and Children
The Good Shepherd Center, located at 1671 Beverly Blvd. in Los Angeles, provides homeless women and children with food, clothing, toiletries, crises services, shelter and other services through a Mobile Outreach Team, the Languille Drop-In Center, Languille Emergency Shelter and the Women's Village transitional center. Bring freshly-laundered clothing in good condition, sorted by size, to the center Tuesday through Friday, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Call Annemarie in advance at (213) 482-1834 to let her know what items you'll be bringing and when you will arrive.
Women and Families
The Union Rescue Mission helps homeless women and their families by providing emergency and recovery services in Los Angeles. The Men's Ministry Program and Women's and Children's Ministry Programs assist with recovery from substance addiction, work programs, emotional and spiritual counseling and transitional programs to help homeless families become independent once again. The programs, along with the Hope Gardens Family Center, provides clothing, food, shelter and other services through community donations. The Mission's headquarters is located at 545 S. San Pedro St. in Los Angeles. Call Alexandra Monsibaez at (213) 673-4882 or email amonsibaez@urm.org for information on donating new clothing, non-perishable food, diapers, hygiene products, toys and more.
Children
Operation Dress-Up! is an organization founded by two school-age sisters and run by students. Operation Dress Up! holds quarterly clothing drives, with donations going to homeless students in Los Angeles County. Clothing is delivered to local homeless shelters and organizations like Women's Care Cottage, which helps women and children find permanent housing. Learn how to donate clothing or help by holding your own clothing drive by visiting http://www.operationdressup.org/ or contacting Julie Kertes at (818) 970-6673. Items needed include pants, shirts, dresses, school uniforms, formal wear, shoes and backpacks. Donations must be in good condition, with no holes, stains or rips.
Gay and Lesbian
The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center is located in the McDonald/Wright Building at 1625 N. Schrader Blvd. in Los Angeles. The L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center helps homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) young people by providing emergency, transitional and long-term housing, food, clothing and medical and legal services. The Jeff Griffith Youth Center provides fresh clothing, hot showers, food and shelter for LGBT youth aged 24 and under. Call (323) 860-2280 or send an email to youthservices@lagaycenter.org for information on how to donate new or gently used clothing and other products.
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Writer Bio
Lisabeth Hughes holds an Associate of Fine Arts from Minnesota State Community and Technical College with a Bachelor of Arts in progress at Prescott College. Hughes began writing professionally as an assistant at First Rate Freelance in 1995. In 2009 she began to submit her own work and has now published numerous articles on various websites and in "Kush" magazine and two poetry anthologies.