Breaking the cycle of poverty and hopelessness
Our Mission
The mission of the Homeless Outreach Program is to break the cycle of poverty and hopelessness while encouraging and equipping men and women in developing intimate relationships with God, the church and their families.
The LACF program staff both live and work in the neighborhood.
- Management and staff are “hands on” and work directly with those they serve six days a week.
- We make a point of mingling with our clients, sitting together and listening to them.
- The LACF office and facilities where we provide services are in the neighborhood and easily accessible by our clients.
There are nearly 1,150 adults and children who either live on the streets or in homeless facilities on a given day, like today, in the City of Pasadena. Since early 2001, Lake Avenue Community Foundation (LACF) programs have brought new hope and dignity to the homeless population of Pasadena.
Homeless Program Accomplishments
Weekly Nutritious Meals on Sunday evening, followed by a bible study.
- We average 200 to 250 meals for low-income and homeless individuals every week, in addition to:
- Special events and services for Thanksgiving, Super Bowl and Christmas
Last year, more than 9,000 meals were served to the homeless and hungry in our neighborhood.
Healthcare Services offering improved health and access to medical treatment, referrals and follow-up every Friday from 9 am-1 pm.
- Bi-lingual parish nurse from QueensCare Health and Faith Partnership provides free health consultations.
- Health education to the homeless and community residents.
- Medical needs assessments and referrals to local resources for low cost or no cost services.
Last year, we provided assistance to more than 900 clients.
Referral Services and Emergency Aid, we assess the needs of our clients to:
- Offer referrals to other community services to provide rehabilitation services, housing, job development and mental health services.
- We provide temporary housing assistance primarily for families with children, but also single women and men.
- Depending upon the circumstances, we provide bus tokens, gas, emergency groceries, bus tickets, and other creative ways to address the unique needs of our clients.
- Our networking capability helps us to determine what other resources exist in the community for partnership with housing and emergency aid providers.
We provided 720 services or referrals to clients who walked in our door in need of assistance, and another 580 services or referrals to clients who called or emailed looking for help.
Day Laborer Street Ministry. It is amazing how God can use the simple act of going out on the streets with pan dulce (sweet bread) and fresh coffee to make friendships and share the bread of life. Through this simple act of caring, these humble men see, feel and recognize real love from God.
- Last year every Tuesday and Thursday morning we provided coffee and sweetbread to approx. 100 poor immigrant Latino day laborers, many of whom live with multiple families in overcrowded living conditions.
- We have several other groups of up to 20 people who gather and discuss the Bible.
- We also hold a Bible study each week at the Pasadena Community Job Center.
- We encourage the day laborers by inviting them to various ethnic activities LACF provides:
- ESL classes
- Medical assistance from a bi-lingual nurse
- Sunday evening meal.
LACF encouraged more than 5,250 people last year through our street ministry; many of these individuals have given their lives to Christ through our ministry and even more of them have recommitted their lives to Christ.
Community Meal and Bible Study
Sundays, 3:00-7 pm, Lake Avenue Church, HH 400 (Skyroom)
Help our homeless friends in the community! We provide an essential meal for our struggling neighbors every Sunday night, and would like you, your class or small group to help by providing a meal, or part of a meal, for 200 to 250 homeless and community people. We also have worship and bible studies after the meal. All are welcome! Contact Leo Hurtado, 626.817.4892 or leoh@lakeave.org.
