The National Commander's "Fight For Good Tour" - Stop 1: Los Angeles
Commissioner David Hudson of The Salvation Army travels to three cities to highlight exceptional efforts in the fight against homelessness
To kick off the National Commander’s nationwide Fight for Good Tour, Commissioner David Hudson visited Los Angeles to attend the launch of The Salvation Army’s The Way Out initiative and meet with local business and civic leaders to discuss solutions to the region’s growing homelessness problem.
On Friday, September 13, Commissioner Hudson visited the Bell Shelter, one of the largest homeless shelters in the western United States, and provided the opening remarks at a forum on the state of homelessness in L.A. County. Panelists included two former Salvation Army clients, the Assistant City Attorney, the Santa Ana City Manager, the CEO of Clean City Inc., and Salvation Army leadership – each participant offering their thoughts on what can be done to help the city’s most vulnerable. The panel concluded with The Salvation Army’s announcement that they plan to double their impact on homelessness across the western United States by 2025.
That afternoon, a luncheon was held in which Los Angeles County Supervisor for the First District Hilda Solis and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti shared their remarks and spoke with Commissioner Hudson about how government, nonprofits, and businesses must work together equally to solve the humanitarian crisis.
To end the day, tours of the Bell Shelter were provided by Steve Lytle, director of the shelter. Guests were able to see firsthand how The Salvation Army uses the space to meet immediate physical needs of food and shelter (Bell Shelter offers interim housing with support services for up to 500 single men and women) and provide wraparound services including low-barrier crisis housing, state-licensed substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and individualized case management.
On Monday, September 16, the National Commander headed to Atlanta, Georgia, to visit with local leaders and speak to those in Georgia who fight poverty on the ground, every day.
