DTLA LIFE MAG #3 | MARCH 2014 | Page 28

THE WORLD IS A SAFE PLACE As we mentioned in our January issue of DTLA LIFE, There are so many exciting things happening in Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA). LA LOFTS Realty ® is proud to be a driving force in growing the rebirth of DTLA. Our team is also very focused on the many social issues that impact and shape our ever evolving community. In this ongoing section of our monthly online magazine DTLA LIFE, we will continually focus on all the "GOOD" things that are happening in DTLA to address the many challenges that exist within our urban environment. As mentioned previously, in upcoming issues of DTLA LIFE magazine, we will outline how the current state of home- lessness in DTLA came to be and how we can all stay "future focused” in order to solve the issue today. I moved to DTLA from New York in early 2000. I was immediately ‘blown away’ by all the magic of the Historic Core. I was fortunate to find an amazing loft in a 1904 Beaux de Arts building at the corner of Fourth and Spring Street. I was thrilled to be living in such historic fabric. During my first full week in DTLA I realized I was one of only a few people living in my building, adaptive reuse had just started, and there were not many residents. When I first ventured out one evening, I was shocked to discover my real neighbors. They were approximately two thousand homeless people living on the street just outside my loft. I began doing research to better understand what was going on. I started meeting the people on the street to hear their stories of how they became homeless and I began to investigate what was being done to help with the problem. I started to learn the true complexity of the issue and I started to learn how I could get involved and how I could at- tempt to make a difference. Please stay tuned in future issues of DTLA LIFE as I describe my quest to learn more about the homelessness issue in Downtown Los Angeles and what you can do to get involved. I truly believe that together, we can all end chronic and veteran homelessness in Los Angeles. It starts with learning as much as you can about the issue and having the desire to get involved. This is our DTLA community and together we can make a big difference. LA LOFTS Realty ® has partnered with three organizations that are making a difference to end chronic and veteran homelessness within our downtown community. PATH, Beyond Shelter www.epath.org Chrysalis www.changelives.org United Way, Home for Good www.unitedwayla.org/home-for-good ! LA LOFTS Realty ® gives back and is your partner to help build a vibrant, successful community for all, "We are more than just your Realtors, we are your Neighbors". by Jim White 213 620 8000 www.laloftsrealty.com www.theworldisasafeplace.com ! !