MARCH FOR HUMAN DIGNITY COLLECTS UNDERWEAR FOR LOS ANGELES HOMELESS

Rain Doesn’t Dampen Enthusiasm as Los Angeles Mission’s 5th Annual March Proclaims the Essential Dignity of All People, Regardless of Their Circumstance

(Los Angeles California) --- February 21, 2005

When it comes to restoring personal dignity to a homeless person, new underwear can make a big difference. The Los Angeles Mission, in more than 50 years of service, has learned that fact – which is the inspiration for the annual March for Human Dignity. .

Braving heavy downpours, more than one hundred stalwart supporters of the Los Angeles Mission took to the streets Monday, to help the Mission collect some of the nearly 49,000 pairs of underwear it will distribute in the next 12 months. Guess? was a sponsor of the event.

Led by a Los Angeles Fire Department engine, a color guard from the Encino based 2nd Battalion, 23rd Regiment U. S. Marine Corps Reserve, actress Apollonia Kotero, LAPD Area Commanding Officer Captain James A. Rubert, Los Angeles Mayors aide Armen Ross and Mission President Marshall McNott, the gathering of church groups, civic club representatives and individuals walked down Fifth Street from the Riordan Library to the Mission.

“The homeless are out all day in weather like this.” said McNott. “We can weather an hour and a half in rainy weather to raise awareness about the problems they face. I am often told by our guests that being treated with dignity and respect by the staff and volunteers at the Los Angeles Mission is one of the reasons they like our mission so much. Sometimes we take for granted the dignity ‘triggers’ of people who are homeless, and they need not only our attitude of dignity but practical items such as a new pair of underwear.”

“We thank all of those who are joining us today and bringing underwear,” McNott added. “We especially thank our sponsor for today’s event, Guess? The company has made a generous financial donation, as well as a generous gift of new clothing items

Including underwear from clothing drives by several organizations, thousands of pairs of new underwear, socks and t-shirts were donated to the Los Angeles Mission. Marchers dropped off their donations in huge bins located at the Mission as they ended the march. The Mission usually receives an average of only 10,000 underwear donations a year, far less than the 49,000 it distributes annually.

“Basic human dignity is the right of everyone,” said actress Apollonia Kotero. “I’ve been coming to the Los Angeles Mission to volunteer for years – and you can see how rebuilding self-respect and dignity helps these men and women find success in getting off the streets and sidewalks and the alleys and tents they call home.”

George Wiley is now a chaplain working at the Los Angeles Mission, but he once lived on the street. He graduated from the Mission program in 1999. “You lose hope on the street, and the Mission is a place of hope. It means a lot to get new socks and underwear. It shows to people that the world isn’t all bad,” Wiley says. He often speaks to groups and the homeless, using his experience on the streets as a way to reach others and encourage them to come to the Mission.

There are growing concerns for the welfare and dignity of those living in boxes and using the sidewalks and streets as public bathrooms. The Los Angeles Mission refers to the area as “Hope Central” – helping people find their way off the unsanitary and dangerous streets and into safe, secure and productive lives.

For over 50 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of Hope Central (known as Skid Row), providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs including education, job training/placement, transitional housing and counseling. More information is available at www.losanglesmission.org.

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