La Oportunidad Los Angeles

Visit our new webpage: laoportunidadla.wordpress.com

Dear partners in the work of compassion and justice: La Oportunidad needs your financial help today! For twenty-seven years, this unlikely community of persons living on the margins of our society has been struggling together to create lives of hope and dignity for all people. Founded by Julia Garcia in 1992, La Oportunidad provides a place where people who have nowhere else to turn find compassion, acceptance, and a helping hand. ... At the present time, La Oportunidad provides a number of services for the largely immigrant population of poor and homeless persons who live in the MacArthur Park neighborhood of Los Angeles and who otherwise have very little access to essential services. These include: A six-day a week drop-in center; Daily hot and free Cup-Soup noodles; Twice weekly hot meals of chicken drumsticks, vegetables, and tortillas; Clean clothing (especially new socks and underwear) and warm blankets; Nightly shelter for 12-30 persons; Weekly Spanish-language Bible studies; Nightly Spanish-language twelve-step groups for people struggling with addictions; Referrals for persons in need of medical, mental health or legal assistance. All of this is done in an environment that is accepting and welcoming of all God’s children. Furthermore, it is ministry done by the poor and the marginalized for the poor and the marginalized. Those who have had the privilege of being connected to La Oportunidad for many years, know that God’s Spirit has worked in powerful ways through this ministry to save lives, to transform hearts, and to offer hope. There is much more we would like to do as we seek to support this community of God’s people in their quest for hope and dignity. But, we need to be able to keep the doors open to do this. It costs approximately $5,000 per month ($60,000 per year) to keep the essential ministries of La Oportunidad going. We are looking for partners who can and will contribute to this crucial ministry to a largely under-served population of God’s beloved children a ministry that is more urgent than ever in a world that is becoming increasingly inhospitable, intolerant, and cruel. People’s lives are on the line! I pray that you will help by making a contribution to this important work. Any amount is helpful. However, I invite you to consider making an ongoing monthly pledge that will enable La Oportunidad to continue doing its work of compassionate care for those who are too often ignored and rejected. God bless you always. To contribute to La Oportunidad, you may send a tax-deductible donation to the following address: La Oportunidad C/o West District of The United Methodist Church 1225 W. 190th Street, Suite 205 Gardena, California 90248-4336