A multiplicity of factors has led to an ever-growing number of individuals in crisis and living in cars or on the street, including many working people who cannot afford our city’s high housing costs. A lack of meaningful coordination among government agencies and a focus on criminalizing people who live on the street have converged to disproportionately affect people of color, particularly African Americans. LA’s 2020 count of unhoused persons showed another rise in numbers year over year. And the 2020 count was conducted before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Even with mortgage relief and protection from eviction, the problem could worsen significantly as the pandemic rages and businesses close.
One of Los Angeles County’s largest social services agencies, The People Concern, formed in 2016 in a merger of two trusted social service organizations: Ocean Park Community Center (OPCC, an ally long supported by our congregation) and LAMP Community. Informed by more than 57 years of work in the community, The People Concern provides, and advocates for, evidence-based solutions to the multi-faceted challenges of homelessness and domestic violence. A fully integrated system of care – including outreach, interim housing, mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, domestic violence services, life skills and wellness programs, and permanent supportive housing – is tailored to the unique needs of homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, challenged youth, and many others who have nowhere else to turn.
Generous Congregation
Our practice here at UUSM is to dedicate half of our non-pledge Sunday offerings to organizations doing work in the world that advances our Unitarian Universalist principles; the other 50% of the offering is used to support the life of our church.
UUSM’s Generous Congregation supports our church community. And together, we uplift the reach and impact of vital organizations doing work we could not do on our own. This month, half of our Sunday offerings will go to The People Concern. Your support will help one of Los Angeles County’s largest social service agencies empower the most vulnerable among us to rebuild their lives.
Please consider supporting the mission of our church, and the great work of The People Concern. To give right now, text “$10 GCC” to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.)
