If you are concerned about the well-being of a vulnerable or homeless individual, family or youth (less than age 26) in West Hollywood, call the WEST HOLLYWOOD HOMELESS INITIATIVE (see number on this listing) to connect them to an outreach team.

You can also send a request electronically to the LOS ANGELES HOMELESS OUTREACH PORTAL (LA-HOP). LA-HOP is designed to assist people experiencing homelessness in LA County with outreach services (see Web link).

If you encounter an emergency situation involving a homeless person or any other emergency life or safety situation, please dial 911.

Try to have the person/families’:

* Location
* Date last seen
* # of people
* Name of person requiring outreach (if known)
* Physical description of person/people
* Description of person/people’s needs

If this is a life threatening emergency, please dial 911.

If you’d like to make a donation to help, you can send gift cards or money to City of West Hollywood, c/o West Hollywood Homeless Initiative, 8300 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA, 90069.

They also encourage donations to the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Youth Center to provide needed supplies to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth who are experiencing homelessness. Supplies for the Youth Center can be purchased using their “CARE 4 Youth Essentials” wish list on Amazon at lalgbtcenter.org/care4youth.

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SHOULD YOU ENGAGE? Engaging with someone you see who is homeless or vulnerable is a personal decision, but if you do, try to bear in mind that homelessness brings a sense of loneliness that erodes the core of a person’s self-value. When you are homeless, a simple smile and a word of kindness can make a big difference in a day full of hardship.

You might acknowledge the homeless you encounter in the street. Say a simple hello. Talk to them and engage in a simple conversation. When you take your time to learn about your homeless neighbor, his or her story and family, you show them that you care!

Above all, avoid stereotyping or stigmatizing the homeless. There are many paths that lead to homelessness, and each person has a different story.

OFFERING HELP. It is tempting to offer cash as a way to help, but in general, it is better not to give cash away. So what if you want to help today? You can provide practical and immediate help by:

* Telling them about the WIN app as a resource for things they might need
* Connecting them to the outreach resources in their area such as Harbor Interfaith or LA-HOP
* Carrying gift cards from fast food or grocery store chains in your wallet or granola bars or small bottles of water and offering them to those you encounter.

KEEP IN MIND – you should offer help first vs. give some someone something they may not actually want or need. Many of your neighbors in need will be grateful for your offer of food or water. But you may also encounter someone who is having a really rough time and may be unable to appreciate your help. Please, don’t be discouraged. Just smile and keep on your way. Every small kindness is a step to a brighter future.

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Serves 17 and Older