We at The People Concern have continued to do the life-saving work of moving our most vulnerable neighbors indoors throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. From Administration to front line staff, our teams across the agency have pivoted and developed innovative ways to provide seamless care and support to our program participants. The dedication and commitment demonstrated by frontline staff truly illustrate what it means to have heroes among us – risking their own health to provide our unsheltered neighbors with access to PPE, COVID-19 testing and the COVID-19 vaccine – all while continuing to provide case management services, medical and mental health care, substance abuse counseling, income assistance, domestic violence services and more. Behind the scenes, our staff developed new ways to engage our community through virtual panel discussions, online engagement opportunities and a virtual gala fundraising event.
We couldn’t do it without your support. Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual gala event, Tonight! With The People Concern and LA Chefs for Human Rights (LACHR). With your support, we raised over $335,000 -more than ever before! The late-night talk show-themed fundraiser was hosted by Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch, and had special guest appearances by 2018 LACHR Rights Hero Award recipient, Emmy Award-winning actor and activist Martin Sheen; Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Ben Vereen; chef, author and Emmy and James Beard Award-winning television host Roy Choi; Oscar-nominated actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste; alongside an address by The People Concern’s CEO John Maceri and messages from our program participants and staff. Chef Bryant and the Cassia team cooked a spectacular multi-course, family-style meal that was hand-delivered straight to our guests’ door. We want to give a huge thank you to LACHR, the Cassia team, all of our participants and supporters who made the event a success.
The evening was centered around uplifting the work being done by our frontline staff –heroes among us. View the inspirational presentation, The Heroes Among Us, featuring messages from our program participants, dedicated staff and fearless leader, John Maceri.
MESSAGES FROM OUR SPONSORS:
“I have been honored to serve on the board of Lamp Community and The People Concern’s board. This has been my privilege for seventeen years in no small part because of the commitment of our staff! Thank you all for making a huge difference, being part of the solution of homelessness, and making this such a rewarding experience!” – Laura Kaiser
“There is always hope for a better future. Let’s get busy.” – Karen Peter
“’She had studied the universe all her life, but had overlooked its clearest message: For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love’, Carl Sagan, Contact” – Oscar Balderrama
“‘We rise by lifting others’, Robert Ingersoll ” – Dove Communications
“Boston Properties is a proud supporter of The People Concern. We remain committed to serving our community members to ensure they are safe, healthy and housed.” – Boston Properties