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Betsy Kelly is running for a Social Service Provider Director seat.

For the past six years I have been working with the social service providers in the Downtown Los Angeles area. Throughout this time I have become educated on our homeless population in regards to the depths of illness that keeps people on the street. I have had my share of judgements regarding this population, but once I started working with our guests on “skid row” I realized that everyone has a story, that these stereotypes that have been placed upon people were not always fair or correct. This past year I planned and oversaw our Project Homeless Connect Day (the largest in the Nation), and I heard so many stories from some of our local neighbors who participated on the day. These stories were of our homeless that wanted to read, to talk, wanting to experience a different life, what life they had lost and where they wished they could be. This is why I believe that educating our neighbors on this terrible disease of homelessness if the first step to being able to work together in aiding and assisting those in need of healing. The Downtown Neighborhood Council has many faucets and having me on the council to represent the social service providers is a beginning to bridging the gap between “skid row” and the rest of downtown Los Angeles. I know that if we work together, neighbors and social service providers, we can build a better future; we can come together as a community.

Victor Moller is a candidate for a Social Service Provider seat.

I have enjoyed being on the Planning and Land Use Committee for the past three years. As the community representative for our company (1010 Development Corp), it would be a pleasure to continue in a greater capacity.

Shannon Parker is running for one of the three Social Service Provider positions.

I am applying for one of the three area-wide support services provider positions available on the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC). My primary interest in the position is to have an opportunity to work cooperatively with other stakeholders to carry out the mission of DLANC. DLANC’s mission speaks directly to my belief that in order for the Downtown community to be vibrant and healthy it must include all of its diverse inhabitants; as an elected board member I would be committed to contributing a positive, cooperative presence on the council and working toward DLANC’s overall mission.

My membership on the board would represent the Skid Row Housing Trust. The Trust, located in the heart of Skid Row, is a thriving non-profit housing developer that provides 1200 housing units to formerly homeless individuals in twenty of its rehabilitated or newly built residential hotels. An additional 400 units of housing are being developed by the Trust in the next three years.

The Trust is recognized nationally as a leader in ending long term homelessness not only because of its high quality, attractive housing projects, but also because its service programs are designed to directly address the root causes of homelessness: poverty, mental illness and addiction. Residents are provided access to a comprehensive array of integrated services that take into account that individual’s specific needs. A Resident Services team engages residents in case management and advocacy, and provides access to primary and mental health care as well as substance abuse treatment both on-site and in the community. This approach to ending homelessness has earned the Trust several awards and distinctions for its innovative and inclusive approach to housing and services.

My membership on the DLANC would reflect the Trust’s philosophy that ending homelessness is possible through collaboration, innovation and commitment to community. I strongly believe that the DLANC board recognizes the importance of strengthening the residential community of Skid Row and is committed to including the voices of this fragile population in its desire to unite the diverse communities of Downtown Los Angeles.

Antoinette Falice is running for one of the three Social Service Provider seats.

Enhancement of the Central City East Community, by targeting basic needs food, shelter, transportation and mental and physical health.