July 20, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Breakfast Celebrates Success:

The 14th annual Success Breakfast sponsored by the Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition (WSHC) drew a record crowd of nearly 500 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel on Friday, September 25, as the Coalition celebrated the success of those it has helped, and as Coalition members listened to their inspiring stories.

Each year, WSHC honors previously homeless persons who have made extraordinary changes to leave behind a life of desperation and become housed, employed, productive, and self-confident. This year, the Coalition honored 30 individuals, five of whom shared their journeys with the attending representatives of government, business, social service agencies, and the faith community who make up the Coalition.

Anyone who thinks that all homeless aid programs simply mollycoddle shiftless vagrants who are either too lazy or too ornery to hold a job should have been there to hear the stories. The moving first-hand accounts demonstrate not only the real value of such programs but also the reason that the people who work in them do what they do.

Each of the 30 honorees had found homes, jobs, and new lives with the assistance of some of the more than 40 nonprofits, church groups, and public agencies that make up the Coalition. Also recognized with Community Support Awards were a dozen businesses and organizations that have worked with Coalition members.

John Maceri, executive director of OPCC who chairs the Coalition, presented the annual Community Partnership Award this year to the staff of the Santa Monica Homeless Community Court, which has now handled 156 cases of non-violent crimes and connected defendants with social services and housing in a program with a 69 percent successful completion rate. Judge Bobbi Tillman accepted the award for the court and praised the court’s “dedicated, professional” staff who “always showed compassion.”

The program was emceed by Fox/Channel 11 co-anchor and reporter Jean Martinez, who introduced previously homeless honorees from prior years, who in turn presented the 30 honorees with the recognition of their success.

In addition to the success stories that the Coalition honors at the breakfast, it also recognizes people, businesses, and other organizations that have worked with its members to provide community support for their programs. Honored this year were Brentwood School, California Pizza Kitchen, Dr. Tracy R. Childs, ETC Hotels, Jewish spiritual community IKAR, law firm Manatt Phelps & Phillips, Nemco Food Products, Team Obama Santa Monica, Dr. Matthew Torrington, Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design, and Women Helping Youth.

The choir from the New Directions program at the West L.A. Veterans Administration opened the program with “Lean on Me,” and Maceri rang the keynote for the morning in his welcoming message when he said, “We’re not talking about a faceless problem; we’re talking about real people – someone’s brother or sister, children or parents, and, increasingly today, grandmother or grandfather.”

WSHC is the oldest and largest such coalition in Los Angeles County, and has been providing service coordination, public education, and advocacy for its members for over 25 years.

in News
<>Related Posts

Congressman Secures $14.5M for Westside, San Fernando Valley Projects

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The initiatives address wildfire mitigation, public safety, housing, and community services Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) announced that a key...

California Sues Trump Administration Over High-Speed Rail Funding Cut

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Newsom described the move as a “heartless attack on the Central Valley,” threatening jobs and livelihoods Governor Gavin Newsom announced...

City Launches Free RAMP Webinar for Small Businesses

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The online event aims to help small businesses tap into procurement opportunities across Southern California through the RAMP platform The...

Venice Family Clinic Slams HHS Funding Restrictions as Assault on Immigrants

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

HHS announced on July 10 that it would restrict access to programs like community health centers, Head Start, and other...

Former Hammer Museum Director Receives Getty Prize, Awards $500,000 to NPR

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Philbin’s tenure at the Hammer saw the launch of the Hammer Projects series and the Made in L.A. biennial, alongside...

Salt & Straw Celebrates Ice Cream Week with Strawberry Shortcake Waffle Cone Through the Weekend

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The item launched nationwide, available with any ice cream flavor or as an exclusive sundae featuring Strawberry Honey Balsamic ice...

LAX Metro Transit Center Boosts K Line Ridership, Overall Metro Sees Slight Decline

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The station completes the K Line, allowing continuous service from Expo/Crenshaw Station to Redondo Beach and enhancing regional connectivity through...

Santa Monica College to Perform “Seussical (Theatre for Young Audiences)”

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The 75-minute family-friendly musical, set in the Jungle of Nool, follows Horton the elephant as he protects a speck of...

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...