About Us
Who We Are | What We Do | What We Need
Hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
- Saturday - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Closed on Wednesday and Sunday
Address: 6636 Selma Avenue, Hollywood, California 90028
(behind Blessed Sacrament School and across Selma Elementary School)
Phone: (323) 871-8042
Fax: (323) 464-7796
Contact Us
Who We Are
Blessed Sacrament’s Office of Social Services was set up in 1998 to serve the increasing needs of Hollywood’s poor and homeless. Our aim is simple: to be part of the solution of helping the most vulnerable in our locale, in whatever ways we can, regardless of their religion or immigration status.
The Office of Social Services has one full-time Director, one full-time assistant and two part-time employees, but is served mostly by volunteer time and labor. The rich mix of volunteers include parishioners, school and college students, youth employment program members and people sent by the courts for community service and some of our homeless clients.
Hollywood is the third poorest area in L.A. County. Many of the people we serve are recent immigrants. Housing is expensive, often beyond the reach of people working in service industries. We try to alleviate their hardship through a range of services, aiming always at keeping people off the streets.
The area has one of the city’s highest populations of homeless men, women, young people and families. A conservative estimate is that over the last year, more than 10,000 people spent some time living on Hollywood’s streets. Drawn there because of downtown crime, the homeless feel more secure in a faith-based environment. Frequently often after they have begun to feel comfortable with us can we gain their confidence and begin to address their long-term needs.
There are success stories - people we have helped re-establish their lives - but in all cases, we aim to help restore some dignity to these fragile lives.
What We Do
- Our shower and clean clothing program, the most extensive in Hollywood, serves some 50 to 60 men and women each day.
- Free breakfast, snacks and hot lunch are served every day. Special Holiday meals serve over 120 poor and homeless people.
- Emergency rent and utility assistance is available for Hollywood residents.
- Travel vouchers are provided in cases of genuine need.
- Household items, furniture and clothing are distributed to needy families.
- Annual Blanket Drives and Toy Drives serve the homeless and low-income families.
- Referral to free legal clinics and free legal advice, especially on immigration and housing problems.
- Counseling is provided once a month by a psychologist who volunteers at Blessed Sacrament.
- Referral to the LA Commission on Assaults Against Women provides bilingual support at the Office of Social Services for women in abusive relationships.
- Free assistance in filling out SSI and food stamp applications.
More information about our services are available on this page.
What We Need
The Office of Social Services also receives major support from Blessed Sacrament Parish. But in order to meet our budget, we need to raise funds constantly - by in-house fundraisers, by submitting grant applications and seeking individual and corporate benefactors.
Our no-frills operation costs $1,800 each week. The real costs, taking into account donation of goods, utility bills, time and labor would be much higher. We try to keep expenses to a minimum by soliciting donations. A current wish list includes:
a. Good quality clothing for men and women including underwear and warm jackets.
b. Socks
c. Toothbrushes and mouthwash
d. Pampers
e. New toys for Christmas
f. Paper plates
g. Freezer
h. Plastic bins and storage
i. Office and cleaning supplies, among others.
We also need to expand and upgrade our services by:
a. Upgrading our showers and install two new women’s showers. $3,000.00
b. Re-carpeting the whole facility and replacing the kitchen floor. $6,000.00
c. Increasing the funding for our emergency rent and utilities assistance program. $5,000.00 per month.
d. Repainting our building, inside and out. $10,000.00
e. Upgrading the client’s waiting and eating areas by providing better shelter and seating. $1,900.00
If you or anyone you know can donate the goods and services above, please call me at (323) 871-8042 or send a fax at (323) 464-7796.
Yolanda Lichtman
Director of Social Services
