FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2019

Contact: Marcia Blachman-Benitez, (213) 447-1829

Jesus Ruiz, (213) 264-5429

DPSS PARTNERS WITH AMAZON SMILE TO

“HELP THE HOMELESS” ON SKID ROW THIS WEEKEND

WHAT: Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Director Antonia Jiménez will be joined this Mother’s Day Weekend by over 350 volunteers representing DPSS and Amazon Smile for the annual “Help the Homeless” event, a day of service benefitting homeless individuals and families living near the Skid Row area in downtown Los Angeles and portions of the L.A. River. Live music will be provided by violinist and social justice advocate Vijay Gupta and his Street Symphony band.

Coordinated by the DPSS Volunteer Services Program Section, hundreds of clothing items, toiletry and hygiene kits, and Mother’s Day flower bouquets have been collected and will be distributed. Volunteers will also complete beautification projects, such as painting and renovating a community garden in the area.

This year, Amazon Smile has partnered with DPSS to accept online donations, making it easy for those interested in making a donation to the Help the Homeless event to visit toydrive.lacounty.gov and choose from a list of available items. AmazonSmile is also donating half a percent from any eligible item purchased.

DPSS Outreach teams will provide Medi-Cal and CalFresh Program enrollment assistance and information about other services. The L.A. County Departments of Mental Health and Public Defender’s Office will be there to provide information and resources, and the Department of Public Health will administer vaccines on site. The L.A. City Library will also offer resources.

WHEN: Saturday, May 11, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Volunteers will gather at the Weingart Center, located at 566 S San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90013.

WHERE: Volunteer teams will be mobilized to provide services at the following locations:

• Fred Jordan Mission, 445 Towne Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90013;
• Volunteers of America, 543 Crocker St, Los Angeles, CA 9001;
• Resource Fair: Crocker Street & 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA

About DPSS Volunteer Services Program:    

The DPSS Volunteer Services Program creates volunteer opportunities for students, displaced workers, senior citizens, and others in the County to help keep their employment skills polished, while opening doors to new career possibilities.

PARKING: Parking is available at the Weingart Center parking lot located on the corner of 6th Street and San Pedro Street.