Becky and I love LA! From the moment we pulled up roots in New York and New Jersey and planted them here in Los Angeles, we’ve never looked back. That’s not to say that living in this world-class city—rich in culture, glitz, beaches, mountains, diversity, and sunshine—doesn’t have its shortcomings. While I don’t need to name them all, I think we can all agree that one of the issues with the highest impact on the quality of our lives is homelessness.
I am profoundly disturbed and often angered by the inhumanity endured by those who live on our streets, under bridges, and in our parks. Though only a small portion of the homeless suffer from untreated mental illness and disease, they are often the most visible. When I must step over another human as I’m pushing one of my grandsons in a stroller, I am frustrated and appalled that a city of such riches can’t solve this problem. Sadly, most well-intentioned, but often poorly conceived efforts by governments have not served our city well.
As a leader in the Jewish community and a diehard LA lover, I believe that it continues to be my obligation to be part of the solution. My outrage inspires me to productive action, and it can’t merely be “not in my neighborhood!” Over the decades, I have worked with a range of organizations and factions (including real estate professionals) to address the issue. As evidenced by the growth of the problem, success remains elusive.
Then I met Ken Craft and Rowan Vansleeve and learned about the massive organization that they lead: Hope The Mission. Ken is a Christian pastor who would describe himself as a conservative. I’m moved profoundly by his belief that he’s been called to serve all the homeless in our city, regardless of religion, sexual orientation, immigration status, or drug dependencies. Rowan, also a Christian, hails from Australia and embraces a more liberal version of Christianity that would be familiar to us Reform Jews. Together, along with a staff of hundreds, a deeply dedicated and religiously and ethnically diverse board, and hundreds of volunteers, Hope the Mission is confronting homelessness head-on. I am proud to be the vice chair of HTM’s board.
“Hope” is the largest agency serving the homeless in our country. They house 4,000 people each evening, serve 9,000 meals a day, manage 35 properties providing shelter, including temporary housing, permanent housing, drug dependency treatment, and services for those with mental illness. While no single organization can fully solve this crisis, HTM is undeniably a major part of the solution.
After a long process, Hope the Mission has just opened The Oaks in Encino. It is a residential facility for young adults previously in foster care who are either at risk of or have become homeless. Thanks to the engagement of the Encino Homeowner’s Association, The Oaks operates under clear guidelines to ensure safety and security for both residents and neighbors. This vital facility provides vulnerable young people with the support they need to gain stability, pursue education and job training, secure employment, and transition into permanent housing as contributing members of our community.
Because The Oaks is in our backyard, a volunteer committee of Wise members has adopted it as a project. We are committed to supporting the facility by helping with initial setup, supplying the rooms, and offering additional resources as needed. Working with Hope the Mission staff, we believe that together we can increase the likelihood of success and break the cycle of homelessness for its residents. We’re in the process of arranging tours of the facility and will be seeking volunteers in the months ahead. We’ve arranged a tour of The Oaks for Friday, June 26 at 11:30am. Please email Rabbi Ron if you’d like to join us or learn more about supporting The Oaks.
We are fortunate to live in one of the world’s great cities, and at the same time Los Angeles remains a work in progress. Through our collective efforts and support of organizations that offer real solutions we can make a meaningful difference in the quality of life for everyone. To that end, Wise will offer volunteer opportunities throughout the year, and we’d love your support.
If Hope the Mission interests you and you’d like to learn more or ask questions, please reach out to me at [email protected].