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Los Angeles' Skid Row Students Receive Confidence
They teased the poor boy as he walked the halls in threadbare clothes and worn shoes. The California teen decided to drop out of school and be accepted for who he was by joining a gang, but then there was Fred Jordan Missions...
Located near Los Angeles' Skid Row, Fred Jordan Missions (FJM) acts as an after school safe-haven for youth living in "welfare hotels," run down houses, and projects. Four days a week, eager bodies pile into a yellow bus and momentarily escape from the depressing neighborhood. They are tutored in homework, brush up on computer skills, eat snacks, and play in a safe environment. Clearing students off the streets after school hours can be life saving. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, most juvenile crime occurs after school and before dinner.
Since approximately 37% of the families living near the mission survive on incomes of $10,000 or less per year, FJM has held back to school events since 1988! For over five years, OBI's Back-To-School program has supported this outreach. "By giving these poorest of children new school clothes and supplies, Fred Jordan Missions, with the help of many caring partners, most notably Operation Blessing, is taking positive and immediate action to encourage disadvantaged children to stay in school," commented FJM's Director of Major Gifts Janice Russavage.
Partners like you helped 5,000 children receive new clothing, shoes, backpacks, and other school supplies last September! Both parents and children received a nice hot lunch from a local restaurant. Adults were given a free long distance phone call to anyone in the United States, enabling them to rebuild relationships with family and friends. "We seek to meet the immediate need the destitute children of this area have for decent school clothing and proper school supplies. This special event is a gateway activity that allows us to make children and their families aware of our core programs available to assist them, including our after school program and REFUGE for women and children," said Janice.
After a couple of days of being able to show off their new clothes and shoes, the kids came back to FJM and expressed new confidence and self-worth. "I like the shoes because I take my shoes to school and my friends told me the shoes are beautiful. I like my clothes because my mom told me they are beautiful," expressed 9-year-old Irma in a shy voice.
David wrote in a brightly colored homemade card, "Thank you for the clothes. I really like them. I feel like I am in the sun with the birds in the sky."
Help OBI in assisting local organizations across the United States meet the needs of our youth.
Bless-A-Child today...
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