Posted: 12/19/2013 at 8:36am
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The Dream Center Rallies LA Community and Continues Outreach Feeding Programs To Those In Need in Spite of Opposition
Creates Petition Encouraging Citizens and Organizations to Help Lift Ban on Feeding Homeless and Others in Need in Public Space
By Michael Ireland Special Reporter, ASSIST News Service
LOS ANGELES, CA (ANS) -- With the second largest homeless population in the country (more than 57,000 homeless people accounted for in 2013), many residents in LA want the homeless out of their neighborhoods while many charity groups want to retain the right to feed homeless people outside, according to Michael Ireland Media Missionary citing a news release generated in support of The Dream Center ministry.
The Dream Center, a Los Angeles based volunteer driven organization, was founded in 1994 and currently serves over 50,000 people through their various programs each month including in LA's Skid Row. However, a recent council motion would drastically and permanently restrict their rights to provide resources and hope amongst not only the homeless population, but families in need.
The Dream Center has generated a petition (www.change.org) to lift the recent 13-1238 motion filed by LA city council members Tom LaBonge and Mitch O'Farrell that will potentially restrict people and organizations from feeding homeless people in public spaces. Similar laws and bans against feeding the homeless publicly have been enacted in several cities, including New York.
"The last thing our city needs, in the midst of rising homeless, is to restrict the goodwill of people," says Matthew Barnett, founder of The Dream Center.
"We have noticed that feeding people leads to encouragement, nourishment, permanent housing, educa tion, jobs and personal growth. When we encounter people, the opportunity for change is always possible. We pray that the city of Los Angeles reconsiders this as they continue to push this reckless agenda further."
Barnett added: "Compassion is not something to be regulated but celebrated without harnessing the free will of citizens," says Barnett. "We have great hope that our city leaders will change their course and support the freedom for people to 'love their neighbors as themselves.'"
The Dream Center's record of success has led to the launch of over 100 independent Dream Centers nationally, as well as internationally.
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This prewritten "RipAndRead" 'newsbite' is designed for use by Christian radio and TV stations to help share the news of God's work around the world in under a minute. Please feel free to use it on your broadcast station. Attribution to "Michael Ireland Media Missionary, a sponsored ministry of Ar tists in Christian Testimony International, Brentwood, Tennessee" would be appreciated.
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Source: Assist News Service
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