Valley Leaders Call for Assistance to Homeless Youth & Kids

NORTH HOLLYWOOD – Elected and community leaders of the San Fernando Valley are launching a new event Sunday, October 8th, to raise money for what Village Family Services of North Hollywood calls “the silent epidemic” of youth homelessness.

The Village Family Services (VFS), one of the Valley’s major social services agencies. Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian, Los Angeles Valley College president Erika Endrijonas, County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, State Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, LAUSD Valley board member Kelly Gonez, Wells Fargo Bank, Kaiser Permanente, The Johnny Carson Foundation and other community groups are joining VFS to present the first annual “Take On The Streets”, a 2K Walk and Family Festival in North Hollywood Park.

“The event aims to bring the Valley community together to assist the thousands of children and youth who call the streets home every night,” said Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian. “The disturbing rise in homelessness has seen Valley neighborhoods experiencing as much as a 25 percent increase. Young people 18 through 24 are the fastest growing group of homeless people, up 64%, while children under 18, and without a home, grew 41%.”

A 2K walk/run, animal petting zoo, inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, climbing wall, face painting and free book giveaway will be a part of “Take On The Streets” family fun.

All registered children and adults can enjoy festival activities. Children under 10 are registered free by donating a book for a foster child; Youth ages 11-17 are registered free by signing a pledge for community service activity of their choice during the school year. Adults can pre-register online for $20 or pay $25 the day of the event.

Families and participants should arrive at the park by 9 a.m., with the former homeless youth and special guests speaking at 9:30 a.m. North Hollywood Park is located at 11430 Chandler Boulevard bordered by Chandler and Tujunga Avenues.

Pre-registration and event details can be found online at www.TakeOnTheStreets.com

In August, the LA Daily News reported a 23% surge in this year’s homeless numbers across Los Angeles County, based on the annual homeless count by the LA Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).

“The latest homeless counts show the growing need to not only provide the necessary support to a growing homeless population, but find ways to prevent youth and families from falling into chronic homelessness,” Krekorian said. “That’s why organizations like The Village Family Services are so crucial to our community.”

According to Los Angeles Valley College president and Village Family Services board member Erika Endrijonas, The Village operates a drop-in center in North Hollywood that presently serves over 700 homeless and at-risk Valley youth.

The center provides meals, showers, clean clothing, safe housing, educational assistance, job training and placement as well as critically needed mental health services. In addition, VFS also places hundreds of foster children with families each year.

The Village Family Services is Southern California’s leading bilingual family wellness agency providing a comprehensive range of services to achieve permanency and safety for neglected and abused children and youth.