Los Angeles Mission's Blog

There are lots of stories at the Los Angeles Mission everyday.  Inspiring stories of change and recovery – people who have successfully fought their addictions and regained their families, and some that are just plain frustrating.

Lately we have had some new types of stories.  People who are not fighting the typical Skid Row issues – but who are fighting the economy.  Here are a couple of those:

Let’s call her Maria.  Maria is a new face in homelessness.  She lost her job over six months ago.  She then lost her ability to pay rent and was forced into her car and living on the streets.

Maria has a new job … on-line proposal writing – freelance.  But without a home for her computer or a wireless connection in the back seat of her car she was forced to use computers at the library to complete her work.  Worse yet, she has no place to park near the library and was forced to drive back and forth when she could get enough gas money.

With no place to eat and with a suicidal attitude she reached out to the Los Angeles Mission for a place to park her car and someone to help fix her crashed computer.  Without the computer she would miss her deadlines and not get paid for the hours spent writing her last proposal.

Maria is not addicted, does not have mental illness except some depression from her circumstances.  Maria is a casualty of this economy.  We at the Los Angeles Mission have been able to help her but we are stretched to capacity with the new Marias who keep on coming every day.

Today we’ve seen a middle aged mom with no more hotel vouchers and an elderly mother, not to mention her disabled child!  Once again we have been able to help them find housing and some much needed household items.

The scriptures say to “…run and not grow weary.”  Easier said than done.  But with God’s help we continue to serve those who come to us in need. Will you help?

--Herb Smith, President