Reverend Eric Shafer
Pastor of Mt Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica.
By Doris Hausmann
He started a shelter to help alleviate homelessness among college students. It was an idea suggested by a UCLA student who went to 50 different churches, synagogues, mosques. All said no. Eric Shafer said yes. He has then received the support of the City of Santa Monica and from members of the community like architect Michael Folonis who donated time and services in bringing the shelter up to code and to make this dream a reality. For the past 3 years, the shelter continues to house 10 male and female students from UCLA and Santa Monica College. In addition, there are 80 committed volunteers from UCLA helping with food preparation and serving so these students can focus on their academic pursuits. This shelter is called Students 4 Students Shelter also known as “Bruin Shelter” and it has become a model for other institutions and schools.
Charles Porter
Unsung Hero
By Linda Leigh
He has been working on Skid Row for decades. He puts on a lot of events. His door is always open. He works the toughest corners. He is effective and gets a lot done on Skid Row.
Father Michael sees people’s aura
By Miguel (Mike) Larios
Every time he gives mass he sees angels come down gently taking the congregants’ petitions. He invites everyone to mass.
Craig Taubman
The owner of PUP
By Miguel (Mike) Larios
He is changing the community around here. Different religions are coming in. Craig teaches that no matter the religion or the community, you are a person, I am a person, and to hold hands. Around the neighborhood he plants trees and plants down the block. He is bringing life to people, looking at the community more green and looking to give back the community.
Lorraine Morland
Her own protector
By Lorraine Morland
Homeless for 8 years sleeping in a doorway. In her first marriage her husband brought drugs home. She became his partner. She now can’t be around people who don’t have their lives together or people who pick on her. She has to let go, she can’t be around people who don’t get her. She doesn’t want that kind of life anymore. She wants to help people. She doesn’t want people to be sad because it isn’t nice to be sad. When she lost two sons, a husband, a mother, a brother, when she had to bury them, it was so hard. The only reason she believes she has to make it is because she has other children and six grandchildren. She is going to strive, she suits up and shows up, and she is thankful for people who love her. The abused little girl in her who never got to grow up, she is that little girl today and that is why she doesn’t let people push her around. She gets out of their way.
Cyril Kabaoglu
Culinary instructor at Root Down LA
By Elijah Gonzalez
He is teaching kids how to eat healthy. How to cultivate food, gardening and cooking. Done a lot of work in non-profit for kids. A mentor for so many young people.
Gretchen
Works at Youth Mentoring Connections
By Elijah Gonzalez
She mentors youth, she is “mother-full” to the young people coming to the program. Always ready and willing to give hugs and love.
Tony Lore
Founder of Youth Mentoring Connection (for 18 years)
By Elijah Gonzalez
Mentoring youth in South Central LA. These young people grow up feeling they don’t belong anywhere so they create gangs to belong to. Tony supports them, is a father figure. He sees their natural gifts. The work at the center is designed to help them discover these gifts and apply them in their world.
Consuelo Mariana
Motherly figure in the church community
By Juan Iglesias
Always helping the Latino community. Juan’s mother-in-law. She was part of the United Fund Workers Movement in her mid-twenties – agricultural fight in the 1960s with Cesar Chavez. She worked in the fields for ten years in harsh conditions, marched with Cesar Chavez in demonstrations.
Sa’idah Zietsman
Umar’s wife
By Umar Hakim
A protector of Umar’s family. A strong woman taking care of her family and herself.
Hajjah Zakiyyah Hasan
Protector over children at ISLAH Academy
By Umar Hakim
She is in charge of this school for young Muslim children. She is there all the time. The first one to arrive, the last one to leave. She will not leave until she feels that all the students are safe back with their family. She takes care of any crisis at the school.
Imam Jihad Saafir
Protector with a smile
By Umar Hakim
A smile can be considered charity. A constant in the community. He is the Imam of Masjid Ibaadillah in LA. He has founded the Muslim run community center: Islah LA that promotes peace, healing, dignity to constituents of South LA by empowering individuals and families.
Mariana
A protector of the art studio, Studio 526in Skid Row
By Linda Leigh
A protector of the art studio, Studio 526 in Skid Row. She was a heroin addict for years and has lived a very hard life. She is an amazing abstract artist and has sold several large pieces of her work. Mariana stated that “It is hard to live on Skid Row with drugs being so prevalent and people pushing it on you.” Mariana finds it difficult to clean up but she is there for her community.
Winter
A young man who is a security guard
By Linda Leigh
He protects the building where Linda lives. A young black man who is not afraid to step up. The Rambo of the building and he makes sure that everybody in the building is taken care of. What you see in the back in the cubbies are rent receipts! He is the Protector of the rent receipts!
Trudy
Works at LA Can (Los Angeles Community Action Network)
By Linda Leigh
Helping with people who have problems where they live at with a housing department. There is also Skid Row food wellness collaboration. Trudi is the protector of that space. Knows everything about the neighborhood and community. When you come through the door you will be greeted with a smile by Trudy. She is a beautiful and loving person.
