Angelenos can take meaningful, personal steps to address L.A.’s homelessness crisis through Mayor Eric Garcetti’s new Welcome Home Project. The effort aims to recruit 100 residents to host gatherings of friends, neighbors, and colleagues and collect household supplies for formerly homeless people who have been recently housed.
The Welcome Home Project aims to educate participants about the city’s homelessness strategy, and mobilize them to take action. To date, nearly 80 individuals, businesses, and community groups have registered to host gatherings in the coming weeks.
“Everywhere I go, people ask how they can help end the homelessness crisis,” said Mayor Garcetti. “I launched the Welcome Home Project to give Angelenos an opportunity to make a direct impact. The project reminds us that homeless residents are not statistics. They are people with stories, families, and dreams for their futures. The Welcome Home Project will provide basic necessities for our formerly unsheltered neighbors, encourage dialogue, and contribute to a cultural shift in the way we treat those experiencing homelessness. We can do this, but we must do it together. I am asking everyone to do their part.”
Residents are encouraged to sign up (lamayor.org/join-welcome-home-project) as volunteer hosts and invite guests to a gathering where they will guide a discussion about homelessness in L.A. The Mayor’s Office will supply talking points and reference materials to help hosts feel comfortable leading the discussion.
Before the event, hosts will coordinate with participants on items to bring — including an iron, dishes, bedding, kitchenware, personal hygiene items, and cleaning supplies — from a checklist provided by the Mayor’s Office.
At the gatherings, participants will package the items into a laundry basket, and write messages for the formerly homeless individuals who will receive them.
Designated fire stations across the city will accept the baskets on or before June 16.
Participants are encouraged to spread the word using the hashtag #welcomehomeproject on social media.
The City will follow up with participants on ways to continue to help, including:
• Keeping up-to-date on homelessness news and Mayor Garcetti’s homelessness efforts
• Connecting to volunteer opportunities
• Supporting sustainable funding for housing and supportive services
Volunteers who want to help sort the baskets, to ensure that each one has the items it needs, can register here: http://lamayor.org/welcome-home-project-preparation-day. Preparation Day will be held on June 17.
Residents can also volunteer at http://lamayor.org/welcome-home-project-big-move to participate in the Big Move In on June 18, when they will deliver the baskets from fire stations to individuals and families who recently received housing.
Fire Stations for Welcome Home Basket drop-off:
Central Bureau
Station 3
108 N Fremont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Station 20
2144 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Station 29
4029 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010
South Bureau
Station 64
10811 W 108th St, Los Angeles, CA 90061
Station 94
4470 Coliseum St, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Station 112
444 S Harbor Blvd, San Pedro, CA 90731
West Bureau
Station 27
1327 Cole Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Station 37
1090 Veteran Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Station 59
11505 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Valley Bureau
Station 87
10124 Balboa Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91344
Station 88
5101 Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Station 89
7063 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood 91605
