Faith-Based Organizations have a time-honored tradition of service to people in need, providing compassion, charitable donations, safe haven, and more, in the practice of their beliefs.
Since its inception, the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative has been seeking to work hand in hand with faith-based organizations to serve vulnerable communities. Now, it is taking steps to strengthen and deepen that partnership, and to develop a strategic plan for continued collaboration.
The Homeless Initiative is asking leaders of faith-based organizations to fill out a 15-minute survey to better understand the support and services they provide to people experiencing homelessness or living in poverty, and to gauge their interest in expanding these efforts.
Those who would like additional information on the survey or would like assistance in providing feedback may contact Communities in Motion at connect@communities-motion.com or (424) 488-4010.
Faith-based organizations who currently provide services and support to people experiencing homelessness, or express interest in becoming involved, will receive a follow-up survey or a request for an interview.
STRENGTHENING THE NETWORK OF CARE
Supervisors Hilda Solis and Holly Mitchell authored the motion to conduct a survey and take other steps to promote faith-based organizations’ involvement in the County’s efforts to prevent and address homelessness. The data will be used to determine ways to support the growth of faith-based organizations, and enable them to link seamlessly with the County’s mainstream safety net and homeless services system.
“For many faith-based organizations, helping people experiencing homelessness is built into their mission – a part of their moral obligation,” Supervisor Solis said. “Many of our most vulnerable are more likely to trust and accept a meal and a bed from their local church or temple than they are from a government agency. To that end, the County has an opportunity to support our faith-based organizations by removing barriers to mainstream homeless systems in offering services and resources. No government will solve homelessness without the partnership of our faith-based communities.”
“Our faith-based organizations continue to step up to meet the needs of our unhoused residents – providing food, shelter, financial support and community,” Supervisor Mitchell added. “These churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and other places of worship do this because it is the right thing to do. It is in our best interest to intentionally partner with faith-based organizations in strengthening our network of care.”