4

M E A L S

A M O N T H

M E A L S

A M O N T H

Please make your check payable to: Los Angeles Mission and mail to: P.O. Box 60127, Los Angeles, CA 90060-0127

m Please charge my gift to my credit card. Giving Options: m One-time gift m Monthly gift m EFT (include voided check)

m VISA m MasterCard m American Express m Discover

ACCOUNT NUMBER CID/CVV

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE EXP. DATE

m I want to become a Meals a Month partner and give a monthly gift of $________. My first gift is enclosed. (Please check the box in the Giving Options section.)

THANK YOU! A receipt for your tax-deductible gift will be sent to you shortly.

NAME

ADDRESS APT

CITY STATE ZIP

EMAIL@

To give a gift by credit card, please fill out the information below or call (213) 629-1227, ext. 400.

Double or triple your gift! Visit our matching gift page to find out if your employer has a corporate matching gift program, losangelesmission.org/give/matching-gifts

Keep track of the latest Mission news, make safe online donations and more.

STAY CONNECTED

Many thanks to The Goldwin Foundation, the Johnny Carson Foundation, City National Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and LATLC (LA Trial Lawyers’ Charities) for sponsoring our 79th Gala.

LosAngelesMission.org

CROSSROADSLosAngelesMission.org

News from the Los Angeles Mission

303 E. 5th StreetLos Angeles, CA 90013losangelesmission.org

On page three

Break the cycle of poverty...

Education: The life-changer

On page two

Our View

...a hopeful future

On page four

Make an impact all year long!

Meals a Month

Read Bernadette’s story on PAGE 2

Redemption and second chances

AUGUST 2016

Before I came to the Anne Douglas Center, my life was a living hell. I was living like an animal and I didn’t even care.

Meals and care

MEALS SERVED

NIGHTS OF SHELTER

CLEAN SHOWERS

CLOTHING DISTRIBUTED [PIECES]

HOW YOUR GIFTS HELP

FISCAL YTDAPRIL

29,644 316,369

9,020 88,957

4,474 101,969

8,824 108,609

m I would like to receive my FREE copy of “Experiencing Certainty in Uncertain Times”

N168

Yes, Herb. I want to provide hope and a brighter future for struggling individuals and families in our community. I’ve enclosed: m $25 m $50 m $150 m $________ GIVE HOPE:See how your support makes an impact on page 3!

“Some questions we’ll probably never have answered this side of heaven. Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii? Or, how does the guy who drives the snowplow get to work in the morning?” (Excerpt from Leadership Journal and Christian Reader.)

While these questions are somewhat tongue-in-cheek, there are plenty of areas in life that can create real feelings of uncertainty, but Scripture promises that certainty is possible because God is faithful. According to 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” He definitively honors His Word and can be trusted.

As many people approach retirement, they often wonder how moving to a fixed income will affect their lives. The good news is a Charitable Gift Annuity can provide the certainty and security they seek. CGAs are part investment and part gift to a ministry like Los Angeles Mission—a wise decision that will be good for years to come!

You don’t have to feel trapped in uncertainty. Trust God to help you make decisions that will be good for a lifetime.

▸ To request a FREE copy of “Experiencing Certainty in Uncertain Times”:

1. Check the box on the enclosed reply card and return it today

2. Contact Chris Doyle at the Los Angeles Mission at (213) 629-1227, ext. 432 or cdoyle@lamission.net

3. Or, bless your family today with a God-honoring will at www.christianwill.org/lamission

Volunteer Orientation: August 6th and September 3rd, 9-11 a.m. Come join us as a volunteer! To register, please visit us online at LosAngelesMission.org/act

End of Summer Art & Education Fair: August 27th—A time to bless the children and families living on Skid Row with school supplies, food and fun!

Legacy of Vision Gala: October 20th For additional information, please contact Ivan Klassen at (213) 629-1227, ext. 325. Thank you!

▸ It’s easy to sign up—simply fill out the form below, or go online to our website: LosAngelesMission.org/give. Or if you prefer, call Nuria Mora at (213) 629-1227, ext. 334.

Become a Meals a Month Partner today!

It takes a cohesive, holistic approach to change a life and break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Education is so important to what we do at the Mission, but that first step to change is often a meal for someone in need.

That’s why we hope you’ll prayerfully consider becoming a Meals a Month partner today. Monthly donations help us budget more effectively and keep our services running all year long. Thank you for considering blessing the Mission in this way.

UPCOMING EVENTS

You’re invited!

CREATING A LEGACY: Making decisions that bring peace “ It’s wonderful to have a second chance in life.” ~ BERNADETTE

WASHINGTON ADC GRADUATE

OUR VIEW CROSSROADS

32

Melvin Cormier came to the Mission in need of healing from stress and his addictions to several drugs. He shares his story about how the Mission helped him get back on the right path.

My life was pretty balanced but I walked away from God and as a result I relapsed. I was addicted to everything—crack cocaine, speed, alcohol.

Because of the mental stress, in addition to my addictions, I resigned from my job. I knew

I needed help so I came to the Mission.

Thank God for the MissionI entered the Jump Start Program,

reestablished my relationship with God and, in October of 2012, I graduated.

Today, I live on my own in Downtown Los Angeles and work for the Los Angeles

Homeless Service Authority. I’m part of the emergency response team helping others throughout Los Angeles County. I feel blessed to give back to the same community I came from.

I want to thank the donors for supporting the Mission and investing in people like me so we can build a foundation and put our lives back in order. Thank you for making it all possible.

Education leads to a hopeful future

Education is fundamental to anyone’s success in today’s economy. We emphasize education as part of the hopeful future we see for each student in our programs.

At the Mission, education is key in working toward restoration to independence. Independence includes living off your earnings, not a long-term government subsidy. Lack of skills or education are sometimes the triggers that place people on the streets, and by providing the opportunity of education, our friends and neighbors have a chance at a brighter future.

We believe education has the power to change futures and with your generosity, you give the Mission the opportunity to unlock that power for the hurting and homeless in our community.

Your support makes it all possible! Thank you for all you do!

The Mission gave away 1,055 backpacks filled with school supplies to children in our community last year. Thank you for helping us create a brighter future for children living on Skid Row!

Did you know?

One day, after doing drugs off and on for 42 years, I had enough. I started crying and praying to God. I went to my wallet and had the business card for the Anne Douglas Center, because I had been in the program before. I called and asked if I could come back. I’m 55 years old and it’s wonderful to have a second chance in life at this age.

When they let me come back in, I made up my mind that I was going to finish and not let anything stop me. I wanted to better myself and I wanted a closer relationship with the Lord.

I graduated in June, and it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. I never graduated from sixth grade, junior high or high school. I am rebuilding my relationship with my son and grateful to be an active part of my new church. I also plan to work toward my dream of being a veterinarian’s assistant. The Mission also allowed me to work toward my GED, which has been a blessing.

The Mission has taught me the meaning of responsibility, perseverance and faithfulness. I want to thank the donors from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to get a second chance. It means the world to me.

A commitment to finish

“ I feel blessed to give back to the same community I came from.” ~ MELVIN CORMIER

MISSION GRADUATE

Thanks to friends like you, Bernadette received a second chance at life. Your support helps provide hope and healing to hurting people throughout our community!

Investing in hope

Herb SmithPresident/CEO

Steven W. SchultzeVice President of Men’s Program

When it comes to breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty in our community, education is the key.

Most studies will tell you that if someone is born into poverty, there is a high likelihood that they will stay in poverty into their adult life. At the Mission, we stress the value of education at every stage of our Fresh Start program in order to break that cycle.

“Much of homelessness is related to economics that are driven by underemployment due to lack of basic educational skills,” says Herb Smith, Los Angeles Mission President/CEO. “Therefore, we place great weight on a GED and reading skills.”

Not only does the Mission stress education for our students, but we also want to reach the children living on or around Skid Row. The earlier children learn about the importance of education, the better chances are that they will not fall into homelessness and poverty later in life.

That’s why our annual End of Summer Art & Education Fair on August 27th is so vital to our community. And thanks to

your support, we’ll pass out thousands of backpacks to children living around Skid Row, filled with school and art supplies they can use for their upcoming school year.

“The children in our area have barely enough family income to survive on household essentials like food and shelter. The “extras” like school and art supplies, backpacks, school clothes, etc. just don’t happen without the help of our donors,” Smith says. “Self-esteem grows because someone cares.”

Your generosity can break the cycle of poverty and homelessness for an individual or family in need.

Education: The life-changer

Continued from cover

“ When they let me come back in, I made up my mind that I was going to finish and not let anything stop me.” ~ BERNADETTE WASHINGTON

ADC GRADUATE

The Los Angeles Mission would like to thank the following employers for taking part in our 2016 Career Fair. Thank you for partnering with us to make our local community stronger!

GIVE HOPE:Impact a life today!

• ABM Services

• Advanced Computing Institute

• Alamitos Group Jiffy Lube

• California Pizza Kitchen

• Catholic Charities

• Continuity Care Home Nurses

• Coca-Cola

• Department of Rehabilitation

• Double Tree Hilton – Commerce

• Easter Seals Southern California

• El Pollo Loco

• Employment Development Department

• Express Employment Professionals

• First Rate Staffing Corporation

• Goodwill/Central San Gabriel

• Inclusion Services, LLC

• InterCoast Colleges

• JVS Works – Los Angeles Worksource

• JVS Works – Marina Del Rey

• Kaiser Permanente

• Labor Ready – Whittier

• Los Angeles County Fire Department

• Los Angeles Mission

• Los Angeles World Airport

• PAC West Security Service

• PATH (People Assisting the Homeless)

• Penske Truck Leasing

• Pepperdine Legal Aid Clinic

• Smart & Final Stores, LLC

• Sodexo Marriott

• Southland Transit, Inc.

• SRO Housing

• Teruko Weinberg

• Transdev (LADASH)

• Universal Protection Services

• University of Southern California

• Vallarta Supermarkets

• Volunteers of America HVRP – LA

• Weingart Center – AmeriCorps

• Weingart Center Association

• Wells Fargo Bank

Thank you!

Your support makes an impact every day. God bless you!

4

M E A L S

A M O N T H

M E A L S

A M O N T H

Please make your check payable to: Los Angeles Mission and mail to: P.O. Box 60127, Los Angeles, CA 90060-0127

m Please charge my gift to my credit card. Giving Options: m One-time gift m Monthly gift m EFT (include voided check)

m VISA m MasterCard m American Express m Discover

ACCOUNT NUMBER CID/CVV

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE EXP. DATE

m I want to become a Meals a Month partner and give a monthly gift of $________. My first gift is enclosed. (Please check the box in the Giving Options section.)

THANK YOU! A receipt for your tax-deductible gift will be sent to you shortly.

NAME

ADDRESS APT

CITY STATE ZIP

EMAIL@

To give a gift by credit card, please fill out the information below or call (213) 629-1227, ext. 400.

Double or triple your gift! Visit our matching gift page to find out if your employer has a corporate matching gift program, losangelesmission.org/give/matching-gifts

Keep track of the latest Mission news, make safe online donations and more.

STAY CONNECTED

Many thanks to The Goldwin Foundation, the Johnny Carson Foundation, City National Bank, Wells Fargo Bank and LATLC (LA Trial Lawyers’ Charities) for sponsoring our 79th Gala.

LosAngelesMission.org

CROSSROADSLosAngelesMission.org

News from the Los Angeles Mission

303 E. 5th StreetLos Angeles, CA 90013losangelesmission.org

On page three

Break the cycle of poverty...

Education: The life-changer

On page two

Our View

...a hopeful future

On page four

Make an impact all year long!

Meals a Month

Read Bernadette’s story on PAGE 2

Redemption and second chances

AUGUST 2016

Before I came to the Anne Douglas Center, my life was a living hell. I was living like an animal and I didn’t even care.

Meals and care

MEALS SERVED

NIGHTS OF SHELTER

CLEAN SHOWERS

CLOTHING DISTRIBUTED [PIECES]

HOW YOUR GIFTS HELP

FISCAL YTDAPRIL

29,644 316,369

9,020 88,957

4,474 101,969

8,824 108,609

m I would like to receive my FREE copy of “Experiencing Certainty in Uncertain Times”

N168

Yes, Herb. I want to provide hope and a brighter future for struggling individuals and families in our community. I’ve enclosed: m $25 m $50 m $150 m $________ GIVE HOPE:See how your support makes an impact on page 3!

“Some questions we’ll probably never have answered this side of heaven. Why are there interstate highways in Hawaii? Or, how does the guy who drives the snowplow get to work in the morning?” (Excerpt from Leadership Journal and Christian Reader.)

While these questions are somewhat tongue-in-cheek, there are plenty of areas in life that can create real feelings of uncertainty, but Scripture promises that certainty is possible because God is faithful. According to 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” He definitively honors His Word and can be trusted.

As many people approach retirement, they often wonder how moving to a fixed income will affect their lives. The good news is a Charitable Gift Annuity can provide the certainty and security they seek. CGAs are part investment and part gift to a ministry like Los Angeles Mission—a wise decision that will be good for years to come!

You don’t have to feel trapped in uncertainty. Trust God to help you make decisions that will be good for a lifetime.

▸ To request a FREE copy of “Experiencing Certainty in Uncertain Times”:

1. Check the box on the enclosed reply card and return it today

2. Contact Chris Doyle at the Los Angeles Mission at (213) 629-1227, ext. 432 or cdoyle@lamission.net

3. Or, bless your family today with a God-honoring will at www.christianwill.org/lamission

Volunteer Orientation: August 6th and September 3rd, 9-11 a.m. Come join us as a volunteer! To register, please visit us online at LosAngelesMission.org/act

End of Summer Art & Education Fair: August 27th—A time to bless the children and families living on Skid Row with school supplies, food and fun!

Legacy of Vision Gala: October 20th For additional information, please contact Ivan Klassen at (213) 629-1227, ext. 325. Thank you!

▸ It’s easy to sign up—simply fill out the form below, or go online to our website: LosAngelesMission.org/give. Or if you prefer, call Nuria Mora at (213) 629-1227, ext. 334.

Become a Meals a Month Partner today!

It takes a cohesive, holistic approach to change a life and break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Education is so important to what we do at the Mission, but that first step to change is often a meal for someone in need.

That’s why we hope you’ll prayerfully consider becoming a Meals a Month partner today. Monthly donations help us budget more effectively and keep our services running all year long. Thank you for considering blessing the Mission in this way.

UPCOMING EVENTS

You’re invited!

CREATING A LEGACY: Making decisions that bring peace “ It’s wonderful to have a second chance in life.” ~ BERNADETTE

WASHINGTON ADC GRADUATE