HUNDREDS MARCH IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL MARCH FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

Hitting the streets to proclaim that new underwear contributes to a person’s sense of dignity -- and dignity helps to rebuild lives.

February 17, 2003 ---

Downtown streets echoed today with the sounds of marching feet and the joyful voices of hundreds of Los Angeles Mission supporters. The purpose the Mission’s 3rd Annual March for Human Dignity was to address issues that diminish the dignity of homeless men, women and children. Lack of availability of new, unused underwear means lack of dignity for the homeless.

Nearly 4,000 pairs of new underwear, socks and t-shirts were donated to the Los Angeles Mission today by hundreds of marchers who dropped their donations in huge bins located in the back of the Mission as they completed the route.

“Today, we march for basic human dignity which is the right of everyone,” says Marshall McNott, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Mission. “It’s not just about underwear. It’s about the dignity of using a bathroom rather than the street for a toilet. It’s the dignity of having a safe, secure place to sleep – not a cardboard box or tent. It’s learning how to live in control of your urges to get drunk or use drugs. We want to reach everyone we can to teach them how to live off the streets.”

Recent “sweeps” of the Skid Row area has ignited controversy in the community. 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 streets and into productive lives through their Urban Training Institute (UTI).

“UTI is based on the idea that every man that comes into the Los Angeles Mission, or woman into the Anne Douglas Center, is in need of respect and education. The goal of UTI is to develop a passion for freedom and life-long learning in formerly homeless men and women. The Institute provides opportunities for Christian education, academic studies and vocational training. With these tools, we see lives turned around and rebuilt,” McNott said.

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.