We have seen several deaths from overdoses within feet of our front door, and nothing prepares you for seeing a lifeless body put into a body bag and carried away.

David, our Outreach Pastor, and one of our interns were recently handing out food to the homeless when a commotion erupted across the street. Immediately, they ran toward the commotion and saw some homeless rifling through bags and clothing.

A man was lying motionless on the ground. It was Miguel. He was a regular at the Mission but lay unconscious, foaming at the mouth with a needle still lodged in his arm.

I come to you today with a heavy yet hopeful heart, asking you to join me to uplift and help those who live in the shadows of hardship, hurt, and despair.

Fred Jordan Missions stands as a beacon of light amidst the darkness, a sanctuary where the marginalized find solace, the suffering find relief, and those who are forgotten find remembrance.

When it comes to giving, we have seen a pattern emerge where a humble few bear the weight of the work while many stand on the sidelines.

Today, I stood at the corner of Fred Jordan Missions on 5th Street and Towne Avenue and was transported back to my childhood—holding my father’s hand and walking these streets with my mother, Willie.

As I gazed up at the towering buildings that stand as silent witnesses to the heart-wrenching scenes below, my heart was stirred by the stark contrast between these streets 50 years ago and how drastically they have changed over the last two to three years.

I am reaching out to you today with a profound and urgent call for support.

I want to introduce you to David Ramirez, a man with a heart full of compassion for those we serve on the streets of Skid Row and beyond. I first met David when he was 16 years old and volunteered as a drummer at one of our events in the Coachella Valley. Even then, his servant’s heart was evident. Now, more than 20 years later, he has spent his life dedicated to helping men, women, and children who have experienced homelessness—whether temporarily or in dire circumstances.

As we come together to pray for those affected by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, it is painfully clear that immediate help, support, and action are needed NOW. These people are our neighbors, colleagues, relatives, and families whose lives have been forever changed. Their homes have been destroyed, their communities have been disrupted, and their futures are uncertain.

As we navigate the bustling streets of Los Angeles, the brokenness of our world is painfully evident. Mothers and children seeking refuge in tattered tents and cardboard shelters remind us of the heartbreaking realities faced by so many.

In a nation overflowing with wealth, these scenes are a stark reminder of the challenges endured by our neighbors in need.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we are in the midst of the holiday season, frantically working through our “To-Do List” to prepare for Christmas. It is hard to believe that Christmas is already upon us, but we are excited to serve those in Jesus’ name at Fred Jordan Missions.

Although the bumper sticker slogan “Jesus is the reason for the season” continues to be popular, the essence of Christmas truly lies in the act of giving.

As followers of Christ, we are called to declare His teachings and extend a helping hand to demonstrate His love to those in need.

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous instances where Jesus showed compassion towards the poor and needy, emphasizing the importance of caring for our brothers and sisters who are less fortunate.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus reminds us, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

In just five days, we will host a “MIRACLE EVENT” at Fred Jordan Missions, where we will provide underprivileged children with new shoes, clothes, backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, a nutritious lunch, and most of all—the hope of Jesus. Our Back to School event marks the beginning of our “Season of Caring” and symbolizes the hope and support we provide those in need.

However, the financial strain on the Mission over the past three months has been immense, pushing us to the brink of potentially canceling this event for the first time since 1989. During this challenging time, we experienced a true miracle—friends of FJM, such as Foot Locker and Paul Mitchell Schools, stepped in to ensure that Back to School remains on the calendar.

It’s that time of year—school bells ring across this nation, and kids of all ages are ready to return to school. They wear brand-new clothes, tennis shoes, backpacks, and sport fresh haircuts with smiles from ear to ear.

However, consider the contrast between them and kids in those communities, even in your community, who are affected by poverty.

These children have no option but to wear hand-me-down, tattered, torn clothes, shoes that are too small or too big with holes in the soles, or carry a paper bag to hold their school supplies. 

My mother, Willie, would say, “No child living in America should have to go to school with holes in their shoes or dirty hand-me-down clothes.”

I’m asking you to please step up and help change that. I’m asking you now to please consider what you can give.

“Can I have a drink of water?”

That is the most frequently asked question at Fred Jordan Missions, and the answer is always “YES.”

Desperate, hopeless, and helpless Americans live on the streets of Skid Row. We don’t know how they got here; everyone has a different story, but without a doubt, the one thing we know they all have in common is this: they are thirsty.

HOW DO WE HELP THEM AT FJM?

Our doors are open all day to provide a variety of cold drinks, from water to Gatorade to Vitamin water, as we aim to offer them good, healthy hydration options.

July 4th is just a few days away. Hotdogs will fire up on grills, fireworks will launch into the skies, and many will gather with family and friends to recognize and celebrate our freedom on this Independence Day.

In New York Harbor stands a 150-foot-high statue, famously known as “Lady Liberty,” holding a 30-foot flame that symbolizes our freedom.

The founding fathers of the United States cried for liberty under English rule, as penned in the“Declaration of Independence”:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”