RESPECT, DIGNITY FOR HOMELESS HIGHLIGHT 7TH ANNUAL MARCH FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

Los Angeles Mission Underwear Drive to Raise Thousands of Pairs for the Homeless of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles ---February 19, 2007--- Despite morning rain and the threat of showers, the 7th Annual Los Angeles Mission March for Human Dignity took place Monday with about 400 participants. The marchers, from church groups, scout troops and other organizations donated thousands of pairs of new, unused underwear for the homeless of the Skid Row area. The Mission's early count reports more than a ton of underwear has been donated so far.

The news is not often good from Skid Row in Los Angeles. Hospitals accused of dumping sick homeless patients on the streets. Police crackdowns and arrests result in homeless scattering from the area - away from the agencies there to help. Gentrification threatening already limited low-cost housing options.

But not all the news is bad. Many homeless men and women are finding new hope, new opportunities and a sense of personal dignity and self respect. The Los Angeles Mission is a leader in the effort to restore dignity to the guests and neighbors they serve.

Presidents Day is set aside at the Los Angeles Mission to talk about dignity and respect - and with a tangible and necessary result.

"When people come in to the Los Angeles Mission to take a shower or take advantage of our programs, we like to be able to offer them new, unused underwear," said Herb Smith, president of the Los Angeles Mission. "We want these men and women to know that we respect them enough as human beings who are loved by God to give them something that is theirs alone. It seems a bit ridiculous to think that giving new underwear is a sign of respect, but to our guests it often touches their hearts."

The March for Human Dignity was the culmination of a month-long underwear drive, and it highlighted the issues that diminish the dignity of homeless men, women and children.

Everyday of the year, the Mission provides the hungry and homeless of downtown Los Angeles free food, clothing, safe lodging, and rehabilitation programs.

Annually, this march provides a large part of the underwear needed for the residents of Skid Row.

The march began at the Richard J. Riordan Central Library at the corner of Flower and 5th Streets. Actor Ken Howard ("Crossing Jordan") led the March. Howard has been a frequent volunteer at Mission events. Howard addressed the crowd during a short ceremony noting the importance that everyone's mom puts on clean underwear - and how hard that simple act is for the homeless. Howard joined Smith at the lead of the parade.

Falling behind a fire engine from the Los Angeles Fire Department, LAPD cars and a Boy Scout Troop color guard, the marchers made their way down the 5th Street, which was closed to traffic, to the Mission at 5th and Wall. Waving banners and signs - and shouting cheers for support, the marchers completed the march by placing their donations of new underwear in several plastic bins.

For nearly 60 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of 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.