Scientology Volunteer Ministers Disaster Preparedness Fair Helps Combat Record Homelessness
Los Angeles, CA, March 1, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Hollywood churches, community groups, organizations, local businesses and representatives of Los Angeles City Services gathered at the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles February 27 for the second annual Hollywood Community Preparedness Fair, organized by the Volunteer Ministers of Southern California.
The fair not only helped educate and prepare Angelinos to contend with natural and manmade disasters but it also addressed a disaster affecting the 26,000 homeless in the City of Los Angeles.
According to the Los Angeles Times, homelessness in L. A. has increased by 12 percent over the past two years, prompting LA City Council to declare a State of Emergency last September. In Los Angeles County overall, the number of homeless is a staggering 44,000.
The Los Angeles Scientology Volunteer Ministers are working with Family Promise of the Verdugos, the local branch of a national nonprofit organization committed to helping homeless families achieve lasting independence. Family Promise helps mobilize communities to provide safe shelter, meals and support services for low income families with children and provides programs designed to address the underlying causes of homelessness.
The Volunteer Ministers organized a raffle to raise funds for Family Promise at the L. A. Disaster Preparedness Fair. Many raffle prizes related to preparedness, such as emergency preparedness kits, self-defense classes and free CPR training. There were also $100 L.A. Artisan Jewelry gift certificates and a grand prize of an iPad Mini 4.
Two local restaurants, Palermo Ristorante Italiano and the Guatemalteca Bakery, donated fresh pizzas and tamales, with proceeds going to Family Promise.
Vendors who contributed funds or donated raffle prizes were Palermo Ristorante Italiano, Guatemalteca Bakery, Supply Sergeant, Blue Can Water, Cloud 9 Toys, Your Way CPR, Hollywood United Neighborhood Council, Z-Ultimate Self-Defense and Martial Arts and the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.
For more information about Family Promise of the Verdugos please visit www.FamlyPromiseVerdugos.org
A global network of Volunteer Ministers mobilizes in times of man-made and natural disasters, answering the call wherever needed. Collaborating with some 1,000 organizations and agencies, they have utilized their skill and experience in providing physical support and spiritual aid at hundreds of disaster sites.
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