We attended as a member of the media.
Last week I had the pleasure of attending an event at the Los Angeles Dream Center. The Dream Center sits on the site formerly known as the Queen of Angeles Hospital. In 1994, Pastors Matthew and Tommy Barnett purchased the aging hospital and converted it into the Dream Center. This center provides support for 80,000 individuals and families each month by providing free human services that address immediate and long-term needs in the areas of homelessness, hunger relief, medical care and education.
However did you know that California has the largest veteran population of ANY state in the United States? About 1.8 million former service members call California home. Each year, approximately 12,000 military veterans settle in LA County and more than 2/3 of LA veterans have difficulty adjusting to civilian life. Furthermore, as post 9-11 veterans return home 44% report that they do not know where to go to get help or receive support.
That is where the Dream Center comes in and helps fill that need. Their new Veterans Program is a 21-week course designed to equip returning veterans with the tools they need. It provides safe housing as well as spiritual counseling and mentorship.
During the luncheon inside of the Liberatore Chapel, Pastor Matthew Barnett introduced us to some wonderful speakers. One such speaker was Lt. Shaye Lynne Haver who is one of two first women to ever graduate from the US Army Ranger School. During her speech she talked about one of the things that she loves about the Dream Center and “its premise that you love and serve people first.”
Pastor Matthew also introduced us to Aaron who is a veteran by way of El Paso, Texas. He served in the Army, doing four different deployments. Aaron saw his best friend killed and when he returned home he closed off emotionally. After reaching out to Pastor Matthew, he came to the Dream Center and began his road to recovery.
After we heard the final speaker, it was time to leave Liberatore Chapel and take the tour of the 30 bed shelter for America’s heroes.
Here is what a standard room looks like.
This is the library for the veterans where they can log on to the state-of-the-art computers, job search and/or update their resumes.
The books and couches make for a comfortable place to study. I especially like this Bible verse painted on this wooden bench that sits in the library.
Thank you Dream Center for your commitment to your mission, which is to find and fill the needs of those in the Los Angeles community. If you would like more information or if you’d like to donate to the Dream Center, check out the website here.
Written by guest contributor Jen Miyagishima, founder of Real Mom of SFV.