Deon Joseph deserves presidential recogniztion

The past couple of months have seen the implementation of years of work that Deon Joseph and others have been putting into motion. This past week we saw the beginning of operation healthy streets done in such a way that is actually doing outreach to those in skid row. The critics claimed that those on the streets would refuse service. The reports coming in are that people are accepting help to get off of the streets. Instead of what Deon Joseph has called "sprinkling pills " onto them and then throwing the back to the streets , the change involves getting the people services and helping them log term.

Is it time now for Deon Joseph who has been calling on this approach for years to finally receive the attention he sorely deserves fro as high up as the President of the United States of America. It may be time.

GIl Cedillo is the Chair of the Housing and Economic Development Committee

Enough said. Gil Cedillo is the chair of the City of Los Angeles City Council  Housing and Economic Development Committee.

Newcomer tries to explain the Containment Policy

As I was perusing the blogosphere, I cam across this new blogger in downtown Los Angeles. His name is Tom Grode and he tries to explain the ideas of containment as far as it being an unspoken policy , which was the policy of the entities that fought over who was going to take care of skid row back in 1976 when the Community Redevelopment Agency came along with their City Busines District Redevelopment Project Area -the CBD. As a blogger which has access to those on the streets and the missions and shelters I know that I have been blogging and advocating from skid row since 1999.  Since 20011 I have been living in a mini loft , just across the street from skid row in the historic core. Yet, Tom insists that this phenomena of the people speaking for themselves has just developed in the past couple of years. I know this to be false. There have been major players, including the huge non-profits themselves, who made and worked to make the ability of those whom they serve be heard apart from themselves.  Listen to Tom, God bless his heart, as he tries to explain the policy of containment. Tom just arrived a couple of years ago and he did not see how skid row used to be. It was a result of the people themselves calling for law and order and to be treated fairly as a community that has made the changes. I have turned off many of the blog posts from my years in skid row and will begin to turn them back on. There is more to skid row than people asking for trashcans and cleaning the streets. There is a sinister aspect to this policy of containment that , no offense to Tom Grode, but he does not understand nor can he grasp , since  he did not live in the midst of what skid  row used to be and what it could become again if we do not get a hold of the changes. Listen to him and. later , when I produce my own video , really understand the battle and why even the shelters and missions do have a role to play in making skid row better and helping to end the policy of containment. Pay close attention to when he refers to a 1985 article in the LA Times about the policy of containment. This policy was began when the city of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles  fought over who's responsibility it was to take care of the homeless. The Eighties saw the introduction of crack and then the demographics of skid row changed during that period. There are lot's of holes in this take on The Policy of Containment. At least he is trying.

LA Needs GIl Cedillo

It is very simple. We can cite many sources of what Gil Cedillo did to stabilize Skid Row and the surrounding areas of Downtown Los Angeles. But , it is so simple that we don't really have to go into detail. Why does Los Angeles need Gil Cedillo? Gil Cedillo is like Bat Man. Seriously. He fights evil. How can one not support a man who introduced legislation in the state that would have ended the most evil practice ever created: Patient Dumping? Gil Cedillo stood along side the skid row community and said it would not be tolerated. The outcome was that the City of Los Angeles passed an ordinance making it a misdemeanor to just dump patients into the streets of skid row to die. Another miracle that Gil made happen was Senate Bill 2, called fair share zoning. What did fair share zoning do? Fair share zoning made

Fair Share Zoning SB -2 Homeless Housing Requirement
GOVERNOR SIGNS CEDILLO’S FAIR SHARE ZONING (SB 2) ADDRESSING ZONING FOR EMERGENCY SHELTERS
Monday, October 15, 2007 at 7:05 AM
(SACRAMENTO) – Senator Gilbert Cedillo’s Fair Share Zoning (SB 2) was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger late Saturday. Under SB 2 every city and county in California will be required to assess the number of homeless persons in their community and to identify zones where emergency shelters are allowed to locate without conditional use or discretionary permits.
The zoning information would be included in the housing element of the general plans submitted by municipalities to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The bill clarifies that transitional and supportive housing are a residential use of property and are subject only to those restrictions that apply to similar dwellings in the same zone. SB 2 also adds emergency shelters to the “Anti-NIMBY” law and clarifies that transitional and supportive housing are also covered by this law.

Why is this important? Well, Gil Cedillo understood that from a planning perspective  homeless people in skid row and Los Angeles did not just miraculosly appear, he understood that Los Angeles was taking and, continues to take the brunt of caring for the homeless and those who need permanent supportive housing situations from other areas in California and the Country.

 “People are better served in their home communities where they have support from family and friends,” Cedillo said. “It is time for every community in our state to plan for zoning emergency shelter services without unreasonable conditions and SB 2 ensures that will occur.” Lynn Jacobs, HCD Director, added, “The Schwarzenegger Administration and the Department of Housing and Community Development look forward to working in partnership with local governments to implement these new requirements.”

 Instead of pushing the homeless of skid row into the surrounding communities, esp the CD1 communities, he also sent money and supported the efforts of the creation of Permanent Supportive Housing through  state tax credits and making sure he put his influence towards those efforts. SO, while he promoted the idea other jurisdictions and municipalities take care of their fair share, he helped to bring those folks who were chronically homeless off of the streets into permanent supportive housing who were in his jurisdiction instead of making it someone else's problem.. Today , the LA Chamber of Commerce and the City and the County are promoting permanent supportive housing as a solution.. This effort has taken the pressure off of places such as Westlake Macarthur Park from becoming the release valve for the only place for the homeless to flee as Downtown Los Angeles becomes a tourist and entertainment destination. The fact is that one of the most heinous and evil policies ever created was called unofficially for years the policy of containment:

"Skid Row ‘Containment’

In what is perhaps the most ill-conceived unofficial land-use policy in Los Angeles, city operatives for decades have treated Skid Row as a “containment” zone for the homeless and the social services that support them. While the area has a long history of serving transient laborers, the city’s moves to concentrate shelters and other services for the poor in an urban hideaway has proven costly. As the homeless capital of the country, Skid Row is a black eye on Los Angeles, all the more visible today since it abuts a thriving residential and commercial community in Downtown. The concentration of shelters, food banks, clinics and supportive housing in one small area has also reduced pressure on other communities in the region to provide their own resources. And no matter how much lip service politicians in far-flung districts give to being open to taking on more of these facilities, they rarely come through, worried about constituent blowback. The situation continues to give Skid Row a concentration of the types of vices that go hand-in-hand with poverty, from drug use to petty crime."

Gil Cedillo began the move towards ending this EVIL policy and only in the past couple of years has the City and County begin to come to terms now with this and no longer call it an unspoken or paranoid delusional idea. The policy of containment is real,. Gil faced this head on. We have built thousands of Units of Permanent Supportive Housing in Skid Row and the Historic Core  and  in South Park and this because people like Gil Cedillo laid the ground work.  Gil proved not to be a hypocrite and took care of his fair share and more instead of making it someone elses problem. Los Angeles needs this man who looked evil in the face, fought it and won.  In the article in the LA Downtown news above: "And no matter how much lip service politicians in far-flung districts give to being open to taking on more of these facilities, they rarely come through, worried about constituent blowback."   Yes, they rarely come through, but they are coming through. Although , he may not be the real bat man, we feel that all of the lives saved and all of the people not dying on the streets of Los Angeles and in other communties  tonight due to his willingness to highlight patient dumping  and SB2, which was a miracle bill ,that we feel he can make sure that CD1 does not become the new skid row or dumping ground for LA's problems , but sane approaches to these problems can be made and resolved. He has proven this. Even his economic development policies such as Downtown Rebound brought investment to downtown Los Angeles  and as a result these loft , condo, and entertainment venue developers,  investing here they have contributed to the  building of  permanent supportive housing and supported the efforts of the service providers to the east , west, North, and South of their investments. It is a wonderful cycle. And Gil,,, our Bat Man ,, or maybe just a farsighted politician, knew the consequences. It is because of  these actions, not intent, but actions , that we say we need Gil in Los Angeles working on behalf of all of us. He is willing to take on evil.  We also say,as people who watched hundreds,  and through the years  as a result of no one willing to tackle this idea for fear of political "blowback", thousands of people die from this policy of containment, we feel  that Gil Cedillo is the person who can fight evil that would turn parts of CD1 into another area of containment.  We feel he can work with all groups, all council districts,  and all involved to work for amicable solutions. He has already proven that he did not want to make the skid row problems  turn into the problems  for other areas of LA by trying to stabilize skid row. He has proven he  is not just one to push his problems onto others but tackle them head on and implement solutions to solve them..

Andy Bales is not a multimillionaire,,, but with all of his friends he sure is rich.

Andy Bales being falsly highlighted at Rip Off Website Andy BAles is not a multimillionaire, nor does he make a 7 figure salary and could barely pay for his kidney transplant... wow! Andy the devil is on the war path.

Downtown Clergy Council to hold Press Conference ending feedings in skid row

The Downtown Clergy Council was kind enough to send an e-mail to this blog, maybe it was because all of the issues sited in their white paper are issue that this blog highlighted almost ten years ago in relation to feeding the people of skid row... I re-read the post about Herbal Life and sure enough the issue is raised at the end of the post. I cried like a baby when herbal life partnered with URM .   You can go to this blog to read the white paper by the Downtown Clergy Council  HELP SKIDROW.org. I will post more about this as it happens and I may change the name of this blog since I do not live in the heart of skid row anymore. Some of you will get a kick out of the name but the focus will still be skid row.

Skid Row Gearing up for Holidays after hard summer

Skid Row Missions and other non-profits will once again steer into high fundraising and giveaway mode . This blog will begin to make the rounds all fall and winter as the stories present themselves from the big not for profits to the small givers we will see what is happening in the skid row community.

Herbalife Partners with Union Rescue Mission to become a dragonslayer

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

CEO  Michael O Johnson of Herbalife and Andy Bales CEO of Union Rescue Mission

Skid Row can be compared to a huge dragon that has many faces. These faces can manifest themselves in many ways. One of these ways is no easy access to healthy foods. Each Corner market is filled with nothing but processed sugary foods, well intentioned people bring doughnuts , cookies , and all types of sugary items to feed the people on the streets. In a community that is filled with sick and ail residents, this can add to the quick demise of those residents through the proliferation of malnourishment , which can translate into Diabetes and exacerbation of symptoms of other physical illnesses.

Today, the Union Rescue Mission announced a partnership with Herbalife to bring healthy Formula 1 shakes every breakfast, for a year. The question from one of the reporters was how much in cost to Herbalife is the product? The only answer that this writer can state with certainty to answer that question  is that, although the answer translates into 10,000s of dollars , you can not put a price on people's health. The Missions in skid row do their best to provide healthy meals , yet they can only provide meals that are donated from their donors , for the most part. Today was the death of having to do without augmenting the nutritional value of the meals that are already served. This actually translates into saving lives. It also will add to the arrest of people falling into more poverty as a result of illnesses that can be prevented or the worsening of conditions that skid row community residents already have. Translated this  gives these folks a chance to recover from whatever their disease may be , even those such as substance abuse. Good nutrition is a part of any form of recovery.

From a personal perspective of having had type 2 diabetes and not having ease of access to healthy food in skid row it can certainly be said that this partnership will save lives. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand this. Nor to realize that this is not conjecture, but for a population that relies on the Union Rescue Mission for sustenance , this is fact. Illness can cause a spiraling effect and a redundancy in the ability for people to pull themselves out of the skid row situation. If people are eating right, they are thinking right. I said it to many people at the press conference today that I am jealous that the people in skid row have access to a high protein shake filled with nutritional value, something that was not available before. I also said that no one has come to my house and offered me free protein shakes filled with calcium,, protein , Vitamin A , and Vitamin C. Today this was offered by Herbalife as a commitment to those who eat breakfast at URM ;the choice of a shake is now available.

Some may say that all of the above statements are an exaggeration , but I can't see where there is an exaggeration. Today , Herbalife became a dragonslayer. That hideous dragon we call malnourishment and lack of access to healthy foods  in skid row had a stake thrust through it's heart. Once again, the dragon we call skid row is slowly counting it 's days away when it could just destroy people physically. And I hope that many partnerships such as the one we see with URM and Herbalife continue to happen. I also hope that those who choose to go to skid row to help , realize, that if you are going to feed people , you must do it right. If anything comes from witnessing this  partnership  , I hope that is what many come away with.

Easter in Gladys Park

Who doesn't like to spend time in the park with their family and friends? There was no exception at Gladys Park in skid row . For the very first time the residents of skid row held their very own Easter Celebration at Gladys Park.

This event was sponsored by a city and community-wide collaboration including ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS, OG's-N-Service Association, Skid Row Artist's Collective, Metropolitan Community Church of the Valley and Operation Bunny Luv( providing eggs, easter baskets and more), "Life Is...Crushow", Fun Zone Reading Club, UCEPP, Skid Row Advocates, Garments of Praise, Roses and Bloom, Jonah Project, and many more.

The day began with prayers and blessings from three pastors in skid row.  Rev. Jeff Thomas of Community Church of the Nazarene,  Pastor Ron Thomas of Set Free Ministries and Outreach , and  Rev. Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission all gave their blessings to the event as well as for the whole skid row community.

The difference between this event and others in the area was that this event was put on by the residents and resident grassroots organizations that are headed by actual residents living in skid row. General Jeff was out there , well , when you could find him , because he was all over the area bringing the things to the park that were already supposed to have been there such as the Easter Baskets.  I was heading to the blessing of the Animals and then was going to head over to the Pillow Fight at Pershing square to cover those stories , but the event was so full of a  great spirit and so full of people I had not spent time with since I moved to the other side of Main Street in downtown, I had to stay and, I was glad I did because people whom I had not seen in such a long time made their presence known.

Jan Perry and Jose Huizar both graced us with their presence and as usual OG gave Jose Huizar and Jan Perry a piece of his mind. You can't stop OG Manuel Compito from expressing himself. He is consistent in his passion for the  skid row community. The new Skid Row Boxing club was being shown off and the entertainment of the residents living in skid row was also to be had and on the new Nike basketball court games were being held. The people just came and came and came to enjoy Easter at Gladys Park!

Ryan Vaillancourt who reports for the Downtown News was also there playing  hoops with the people in skid row. So , as you can see this day was miraculous and  so wonderful that I could not leave. The Easter egg hunt began and the children had to pick up as many of the plastic eggs they could find in the grass before being given prizes for their efforts. Again , it was nice to see the children enjoying themselves in the heart of skid row.

Our dear friend , Thomas Knapper showed up with Daytona and her baby! So , surprise , surprise , as the event turned into one huge 10 year skid row resident and long time advocates reunion! 

There was a dancer , musicians , and rappers. Uncle Bean  even showed up and rained money down on those who listened to his act. I wondered if a riot would ensue , but that never happened. The Skid Row Playaz musical group played their numbers and we were all enthralled with those notes. AH! if only I could listen to those guys every night.

There were no problems and LAPD stayed close by in their mobile station to makes sure no one sabotaged the event and sure enough no one did . Thanks to LAPD for their efforts to stay close to the people of skid row who are doing positive things in the community.

According to Sources an injunction against gangmembers selling drugs in skid row will happen shortly

Protester Targets Reverend Andy Bales CEO of Union Rescue Mission at press Conference

A press conference was held in skid row today at Gladys Park that basically marks the beginning of preparations to enforce an injuction against 80 gang members who are selling drugs in skid row. For years gangmembers across the city have had an understanding that they would not be rivals in the lucrative drug bazaar which is skid row in Downtown Los Angeles. The LA Times does the story this morning about the press conference and quotes many service providers and residents who like the idea of this injunction. The ACLU has also stepped in to challenge the injunction , claiming that the LAPD will have carte blanche to search and stop anyone without probable cause because they might resemble the 80 people on the list who are selling drugs in skid row. Over 300 gangmembers might be added to the list. Commander Blake Chow of the LAPD’s Central Division called drugs “probably the biggest threat to the community right now.”

The injunction, Chow said, would help police “protect the homeless from the predators coming from other parts of the city.” Of the dealers, he said, “we can arrest them and arrest them and arrest them, but what we need to do is keep them away.”
The injunction won't go into effect for a couple of months.

Antonio Villaraigosa says that during Budget Crisis he may close Los Angeles City Services 2 days out of the week without 73.5 million dollars from DWP

Don Garza - Downtown Los Angeles

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa calls for closure of public services 2 days out of the week during the City of Los Angeles BUdget Crisis. Park's says he will not get involved in name calling with the Mayor. Apparently, the issue is the matter of the handover of 73.5 million dollars from DWP to add to the City of Los Angeles General Fund.

Eric Garcetti says he welcomes the Mayors embrace on the DWP issue. "In the midst of a recession , before we do a giant rate increase we need accountability. What is important is not to play politics... it is about rate payers who are going through a hard time...we voted for Villaraigosa's green endeavor. You must be tone deaf not to hear what is going on out there. We need to get out of these tough times before we do something drastic... for some reason the Mayor decided not to do that. We will land in the black this year..... We are all aware how tough it is out there at an economic level."

We have to look at our legal options. Garcetti Says about the Mayor's plan to shut down public services . Garcetti says the Mayor can not shut down the unions of city employees.

The numbers don't just add up. The dwp said earlier that they can do it if there was a rate increase after. City council did vote for the 30 million dollars, Eric Garcetti says. 30 million dollar increase. The Mayor can not do the 2 day furlough if the Employee Coalition does not agree.

The Mayor says he has no control over forcing the DWP to hand over the 73.5 Million dollars. The City council says that the Mayor says he does.

Easter was alive and well in Skid Row

Don Garza Downtown Los Angeles

First in a 3 part series on Easter Weekend


The Easter and Passover weekend started with the Los Angeles Mission and their street festival. This year was a poignant and bittersweet time as it was the first time I went and washed feet diabetes free and free of the use of oxygen to help me to breathe.  As always the emphasis at the Los Angeles Mission is the health clinic and the feet washing as homeless and low income folks from all over Downtown have the opportunity to get their feet washed , see a doctor if necessary , and get a new pair of shoes from Etny.




Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Washes feet of woman this year as Doctors look on





The Mayor wasn't the only one who was washing feet!

Why the feet washing at LA Mission is more than just a religious symbol

Feet Washing Time Again at the Los Angeles Mission


The night before Jesus was crucified he washed the feet of his disciples. He did this as a form of love , but also as an example of humility to those who would be left to carry on the work he started. Today at the Los Angeles Mission , this symbol of humility and service is also a way to find those who are suffering physically. Many low income and homeless people in skid row do not see the doctors on a regular basis, even if they have illnesses such as diabetes. Doctors are out there helping the feet washing finding those who need to be treated then and there or who may need to pay a visit later.

Today this will be happening at the Los Angeles Mission.

Now in 2010 I  am diabetes free because of Gastric bypass surgery. God has blessed me beyond measure and, tomorrow I will wash feet as a prayer , a service , and out of gratitude , because god says that the amount of mercy you show to others will be shown to you. Below was posted in 2007

Last year, we saw the Mayor Washing feet of the homeless and the poor on the streets of skid row. Many folks may see this as a political stunt,I don't see it that way. The Mayor has called attention to how important this aspect of the LA Mission feedings are. . Ever since I was diagnosed with diabetes and, many of you see me out there eating cookies and cake and ice cream, and things I shouldn't , but I see a doctor and take medications to help control my blood sugar levels. I know how important it is to have these feet washings because there are many homeless who suffer with illnesses such as diabetes who probably never see a doctor. Doctors are brought out and people who may have an infection or may have gangrene etc ,who may have been looking at amputation in the future, if it wasn't caught in time , are saved.

I will be out there washing feet. I wish other Missions would do the same at their events. I am thankful for the Los Angeles Mission for their feet washing because it saves lives.

Rapid 720 Stop added to 6th and San Pedro - skid row rejoices

The MTA has added a stop of the Rapid Bus at 6th and San Pedro. This is a stop that compliments the rapid 720 Stop that was put in on 5th and San Pedro Last Month. According to an e-mail from General Jeff ;   "This is a tremendous improvement to our community's public transportation needs."

City Council Passes DWP Rate Hike

According to the LA TIMES , the City Council of the City of Los Angeles has raised electricity rates.  Estela Lopez of the Central City East Association , who has members in the Industrial and Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles , expressed concern on behalf of those 1800 business and property owners.

New Genesis Hotel Breaks Ground

On main Street, in the heart of the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles, Skid Row Housing Trust broke Ground on it's redone Genesis Hotel.  More news at LADOWNTOWNNEWS.com

It is one of the first hotels that will include loft style apartments and not just house those with special needs. Dignitaries were present and more news to come from the Downtown News.

Easter Celebrations coming to Skid Row

Easter Celebrations will be coming to skid row soon!! The list, of course, is long and culminates with the big party at the Midnight Mission. Celebrations and street feedings and giveaways are done by all Missions in Skid Row Leading up to Easter .

Good Friday will see the beginning of the Long weekend Celebration in skid row.

The Union Rescue Mission will also be doing a feeding, but so far there are no updates, once the update is made this blog will see an update.

The Fred Jordan Mission also hosts a Easter Celebration, their celebration will be on Saturday April 3.


Los Angeles Mission
The LA Mission will conduct it's feeding on good Friday There will be a shoe giveaway as well as feet washing . It is a lot of fun and there is good food as well as many celebrities.



 The Midnight Mission is the culmination of all of this as Easter Sunday and Passover are celebrated with music , food , and fun. Easter Sunday is a comin..WOOOOHOOOO!!!
From www.midnightmission.org

On Sunday, April 4th our staff, participants, and 200 volunteers come together to create a special brunch and celebration for about 2,000 of our closest friends... this year will be no exception!
We clear the street in front of our facility, set tables and chairs for our 2,000+ guests, most of who happen to be suffering from the condition of homelessness. We have an Easter Village for children, clothing giveaway and live entertainment.
For more information about the event or for sponsorship opportunities please contact, Mai Lee Community Relations Manager 213-624-4588. Volunteer opportunities, send an email to volunteer@midnightmission.org.

General Jeff Speaks before Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles

General Jeff Raises Concerns over the Purchase of the Rossylyn Hotel by Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation at the CRA Commissioners Meeting  


General Jeff Speaks at CRA March 18
Uploaded by dgarzila. - Watch the latest news videos.

Downtown Los Angeles Brooks Brothers - Closing doors

Brooks Brothers, in Downtown Los Angeles, is closing it's doors. According to the Los Angeles Times, Brooks Brothers in Downtown Los Angeles , via Downtown News , will be closing it's doors for good in the city center. There will be no closeout sale. Many hip hop clothiers have been drawn to Downtown as of late and unfortunately high end suits seem not to be the product of choice. Many enjoy buying their suits in the Garment District on Los Angeles Street from 7th to 11th street.

Ah... Another high end store closing in Downtown Los Angeles.

New Genesis Breaks ground on March 30th - New Hotel to begin new mixed use evolution in Project Based Section 8 Housing

The New Genesis Hotel will break ground on March 30th. Those in Attendance will be Jan Perry , the Federation of Labor Representative , and Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council President Russell Brown.

According to Skid Row Housing Trust there will be ground floor retail and new jobs will be created. The first turn of the soil marks the birth of the next evolution in the Trust's solution to homelessness. The New Genesis Apartments will combine permanent supportive housing for homeless and disabled men and women with commercial space for community retail. The New Genesis Hotel is located on 5th Street and Main Street.

One of the attributes of Skid Row Housing Trust is their focus on creating huge spaces in their buildings to accommodate the social services. Skid Row Housing trust has made it clear that they intend to be good neighbors in the Historic Core as well as make sure that the ground spaces accommodate retail space.