Annual Event Celebrates Mission’s
82 Years of Serving L.A.’s Homeless

Los Angeles, California — October 25, 2018 — Thursday evening the Los Angeles Mission held its 8th annual Legacy of Vision Gala. This year’s honoree was Dr. Drew Pinsky.

Pinsky is the host of Dr. Drew Midday Live on KABC radio in Los Angeles. His also hosts MTV’s Teen Mom Reunion specials. He also hosts the Dr. Drew Podcast along with the Adam and Drew Podcast. A frequent guest on talk and national news programs, Dr. Drew penned a New York Times bestseller “The Mirror Effect: How Celebrity Narcissism is Seducing America” (Harper Collins).

“I’m honored to be receiving the Anne Douglas Award, but the real heroes are the folks at the Los Angeles Mission,” said Pinsky. “There is unconscionable suffering on the streets of Los Angeles. Thankfully, the Los Angeles Mission has always been there; vigilant in providing services to those among us who are too often ignored.”

“At the Los Angeles Mission, in addition to providing three meals every day, emergency and overnight services, we are constantly reevaluating our approach to the business of restoring individual lives,” said Herb Smith, President of the Los Angeles Mission. “As a result, we have raised the level of individualized services to the men and women who come to us. The wide array of services we offer goes far beyond the “three hots and a cot” the Mission provided in 1936. We go the extra mile to figure out exactly what each person needs to solve the problems that left them with no alternative but a hard life on the streets. That help could be: substance abuse counseling, psychological counseling, education, job training and other life-changing services. One thing that will never change is the Christian focus of our program. We find that God is an essential and remarkable partner in restoring a broken life.”

At the gala, long-time, dedicated Los Angeles Mission volunteers Edwin and Aldis Hodge, brothers and popular actors, received the Legacy of Vision Award. Edwin Hodge is known for his role as Robert Chase in “Six” and “The Purge” series of films. Aldis Hodge is recognized for his many film roles, notably “Hidden Figures,” his role as Akinbode in the TV series “Turn” on AMC and Noah in “Underground” on WGN.

The Hodge brothers honored their mother, Yolette, at the event. She was surprised to also receive a Legacy of Vision Award.

The gala event was hosted by actor Jonathan Sadowski. Mr. Sadowski is recognized for his role as Josh Kaminiski in Freeform’s “Young and Hungry.”

The Anne Douglas Award is given each year to the person who has made significant contributions to the community. The award is named for Mrs. Douglas who first envisioned the Center for Women in the late 1980s. Anne Douglas is the generous benefactor of the Los Angeles Mission’s Anne Douglas Center for Women along with her husband Kirk Douglas. The “Anne”, named for Ms. Douglas, is an original sculpture by Antje Campbell.

The event took place at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel.

Sponsors for the gala include: Anne Douglas, the Johnny Carson Foundation, the Goldwin Foundation, the Argyros Family Foundation, George Shapiro, American Airlines, City National Bank and the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Charities.

For some 82 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served thousands of hurting men and women who find themselves homeless in downtown Los Angeles, providing emergency services such as shelter, food and clothing. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs, including education, job training, transitional housing and counseling.

Photos available: (Please credit Kaitlin Agee Photography if you use the photos)

Dr. Drew Pinsky receives the Anne Douglas Award at the Los Angeles Mission Gala Thursday, October 25, 2081.  Photo by Kaitlin Agee Photography: http://ruppepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Dr.-Drew-award.jpg

(L-R) Aldis Hodge, Yolette Hodge, Edwin Hodge receive the Legacy of Giving Award during the Los Angeles Mission Gala Thursday, October 25, 20118.  Photo by Kaitlin Agee Photography: http://ruppepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Hodge-family.jpg