Stories from San Pedro Street

Fran: She's one of my fellow interns, an apartment-mate, and a friend. Fran has such a passion for people on San Pedro Street, where you an find Skidrow, the homeless community of LA. There you'll find Union Rescue Mission, a love-centered endevor to combat the issue of homelessness in the city. Fran also turns a few heads at the Mission.

James: This guy was playing cards with me today inside the men's day room where you can find an internet cafe and lounge. We played gin rummy with Charlie, another resident enlisted with the rehabilitation program at the Mission, and another intern. I concluded that James probably had stronger math skills than myself.

Jonathan: Originally from Georgia, this UGA student drove out to LA for the summer on a whim to break out of the mold and into the world. He's out here working a restaurant, living north of downtown, and volunteering with the interns when we head down to the Union Rescue Mission. Huge heart, he does have. We've pretty much taken him in as one of our own.

T : Dude, this man can cook. He's a great chef in the back kitchen who's using his talents to prepare meals for the many hungry stomachs on the streets. Union Rescue feeds about 2,000 homeless individuals each day. Donations are always in the back, ready to be prepped. All that is needed is the hands, and those hands can surely be mine. He also has a great sense of humor, and enjoys whistling and singing.

Kasey (or K.C, or even Casey, whichever way you prefer it) : Remarkable. A Kansas resident, he flew out to LA with a small bag and a ticket paid by his home church to Skidrow so he can live among he homeless population for 3 weeks. That's right. He's living with the homeless at the Mission. Eating their meals. Spending time with them. Sleeping in the stay rooms He even fell asleep in Pershing Square the other day, hub for homeless (which, a lot of homeless sleep there, so he found that little happening quite humorous). I declare this heart daredevil an honorary intern.

David: Another intern who speaks with a conviction when he expresses his aspirations to eliminate homelessness. His heart is pure. His words have emotion. And it was listening to him on a car ride home one night from an event about homelessness that helped me re-evaluate how I serve people and to seize the opportunity that I have while being here in LA.

Lindsay: She feels very reflective after a day at Skidrow. She's challenged. She feels whole. She felt like she was part of a community. It's funny how authentic community doesn't even need a structure. It doesn't need a steeple. It doesn't require a fireplace. It requires a heart beat, a smile, and a sacrifice to step out of the self-centered desires of each day to extend a self-less commitment to others. She wants to go back next week and learn a new card game too.