The Dream Center

In 2020, we witnessed volunteers stepping up to serve our community impacted by the pandemic, serving with joy and laughter, providing both nourishment and a spirit of love and hope. They called it their #MOODFOREVER. This goes to show how amazing our volunteers are, and we appreciate them this #volunteerappreciationweek (and the other 51 weeks of the year)! It’s heartwarming when we hear that volunteering at the Dream Center has changed the lives of those in need and has tr...ansformed the heart of the volunteer. Sean came to volunteer through our Immersion Program after years of feeling hopeless in a job that didn’t fulfill his mission to work with youth. I came here after many years of the Lord speaking to me about quitting my job and coming to this awesome place. I was born in Huntington Beach and bounced between alcoholic parents which pushed me into the world of marijuana and drugs until the age of 19. I was ready for the Lord. Kids have always been my gig so I immediately served with Pastor Kenny, driving buses to bring kids to church, and was given the opportunity to teach the kids for a few years.I didn't want to quit my job, but finally came to realize that I needed to quit in order to have a more satisfactory Christian life.BWorking with the kids at Restart has been the best and funnest job and I started working in the kitchen just a few weeks ago. I've learned that when God's hand is on a place like this, millions of dollars flow in, to be given away to people in need by those who serve in this awesome place. I quit my career to launch into full-time ministry. - Sean, Immersion Program Sean’s story sheds light on the role volunteering plays in achieving lifelong goals. We recognize the impact of serving and the power of volunteers have to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and help transform the world. We shine a light on the people that inspire us to serve, recognize and thank those who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in their communities. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering or gaining experience in serving our communities visit dreamcenter.org/experience.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 We love you and are praying for you.

and learn more about the 24/7 miracles that take place here at the Dream Center. Thank you for this incredible piece! @elexmichaelson This is one of the most impressive places in all of Southern California! They treat issues like homelessness & addiction through treatment & service. During the pandemic, they served more than 5 million meals to members of the community. ... @dodgers stars @redturn2 and @claytonkershaw are among the biggest supporters of this organization, which was founded by @matthewbarnett1 27 years ago. Our @foxla profile looks at two lives forever changed by this renewed focus on faith & service. dreamcenter.org

What a blessing and privilege it is to get to serve our community every day.We are so grateful to God that we get to do this and get to provide not just free resources, but also provide HOPE to so many individuals and families in need. From free meals, to groceries and diapers, our mission is to make sure that we continue to meet the basic needs of our community and that no child, individual, or family in Los Angeles goes hungry.#RestoreLA dreamcenter.org #foodpantry #freegroceries #freemeals #freefood #groceries #free #freeresources #lacounty #la #losangeles #angelenos #welovela #lacity #dreamcenter #family #community #hope

This April, the Dream Center and so many around the globe observe #AlcoholAwarenessMonth. No other substance is more widely used and abused by America’s youth than alcohol, making alcoholism and alcohol-related problems the number one public health problem in the United States. 29-year-old Felicia Baird has a telling story of how experiencing alcohol abuse of family members resulted in a life-threatening addiction to drugs. We often hear about alcoholism and how it affects th...e user, however, her story sheds light on how alcoholism affects those close to them. Growing up with parents addicted to alcohol, Felicia witnessed substance and physical abuse forcing her to grow up at a young age. Like so many other youths in our community, Felicia was not raised by her parents due to their challenges. Her grandmother raised her and in turn, Felicia became the caretaker of her grandmother until she died when Felicia was just fourteen. Felicia spiraled downward, leaning on drugs to cope. As stigmatic as generational curses are, she inevitably repeated the cycle of addiction. Watching her parents rely on alcohol to cope with tough times, Felicia used drugs to soothe her pain, which led to her becoming homeless. Thankfully, Felicia met a woman who introduced her to the Dream Center. Like many of the stories you hear coming out of the Dream Center, Felicia had given up on herself and the people in her life. This led her to our recovery program where she is now learning all of the coping mechanisms that will help her return to school, become a business owner that she so desires to be, and motivate others to seek recovery. It’s important to connect the dots that lead to awareness and recovery from underage alcohol and drug use. Fostering healthy and responsible attitudes, talking openly and honestly, encouraging supportive relationships, and showing children that their opinions and decisions matter, are all ways to help prevent the use of alcohol and drugs. The Dream Center reignites hope for those in recovery as well as those closest to them. Our programs help individuals and their families believe and have faith that transformation is possible. dreamcenter.org

and the economic fallout than any other. Homelessness has already been a terrible phenomenon that has affected Los Angeles, and yet, due to the economic impact of the pandemic, it’s expected to triple this year and peak in 2023. Though the city has begun to reopen and restrictions are being lifted, over 587,000 in #LACounty are still unemployed (Employment Development Department), and hunger and homelessness continues to climb with 2 million people facing food insecurity (LA ...Regional Food Bank), and over 66,000 people living on the streets (LAHSA). At the Dream Center, we are doing our best to listen to our community and understand its needs. In addition to opening our Food Pantry and Community Kitchen, expanding the transitional housing floor on our campus, we have ramped up our outreach efforts in order to help #RestoreLA. Because right now, people need a chance to recover from their losses and get back on their feet. Our mission continues to ensure that the basic needs of our communities are met, and to help combat the issues of #homelessness, hunger, and poverty here in Los Angeles. By providing free residential programs, along with resource and outreach services, we strive to offer immediate and long-term support for anyone in need. As the need continues to rise, so does the need to work together. Partner with us. Together, we can RESTORE our city and help #LosAngeles make the greatest comeback ever. Join our efforts by donating today at dreamcenter.org. #restore #lacity #koreatown #ktown #hollywood #eastla #southla #dtla #downtownla #welovela #echopark #silverlake #macarthurpark #hope #outreach #serve #wegettoserve

Over the past twenty-two years my addiction has led me into selling drugs, committing a multitude of crimes, and spending countless nights in jail. At one point it even caused me to become homeless on the streets for two years. I chose my lifestyle over everything: my family, my baby girl, my daughter’s mother, and anyone else who didn’t have the same agenda as me. I’ve destroyed everything that was ever any good in my life. Prior to coming to the Dream Center I was dealing w...ith more loss than I could bear. My daughter had been taken away from me due to my drug abuse. At the same time, I was trying to cope with the death of my brother and father as well as the broken relationship with my mother. I was emotionally and spiritually dead inside, and only lived to get through the day high and drunk. Thankfully, I had just enough hope left to seek help one last time. Now I’m pleased to be able to say that since being in the discipleship program here at the Dream Center, the relationships I’d damaged in the past are being repaired. I’m also happy to report that I’m no longer on probation! I actually have a real hope for a future now, one that doesn’t involve crime or drugs. I’m realizing that the old me is slowly fading away as the new me continues to grow. While here I’ve developed healthy new habits in my daily routine. My relationship with God continues to strengthen, as I include Him in all aspects of my life. I know He’s there even in the struggle. I’ve also learned how to hold myself accountable when I make a mistake. Boy does it feel good to finally be doing the right thing! In regards to my future, I’m taking things day by day while I serve here at the Dream Center. I’ve never been a part of anything like this! I love everything that goes on here and want to be involved for as long as possible! To anyone who is tired of being empty and broken, the Dream Center is the place to go. It is here you’ll be able to restore your life to what God had planned for you from the beginning. - Daniel, Discipleship Program Today, Daniel works in our Food Bank serving our community daily, and reaching countless lives through his story of #transformation. dreamcenter.org

We LOVE seeing all the smiling eyes as families leave with hands full of meals and bags full of groceries! #wegettoserve dreamcenter.org #la #losangeles #freemeals #community #lacommunity #welovela #foodpantry #freefood #echopark

The #FoodPantry is stocked and ready to go on this beautiful Monday! We can’t wait to see you all here! Come by if you are in need of meals, groceries, or diapers from 11am-2pm! See you soon Help us keep these shelves stocked by bringing any food items to the Dream Center! Or you can donate at dreamcenter.org. #free #freefood #groceries #freegroceries #foodbank #community #echopark #la #losangeles #lacounty #eastla #southla #dtla #downtownla #silverlake #koreatown #midcity #welovela #lacity #wegettoserve #dreamcenter

and today, he delivered a powerful #testimony @angelustemplela. Ricardo fell on hard times after loss in his life that led to drug addiction, depression, a trip to a psychiatric hospital, suicidal thoughts, and eventually he felt he had no choice but to give his children up for adoption because he couldn’t find a way to get back on his feet. He had lost hope and thought he would soon lose his daughters. #BUTGOD had bigger plans for him. He found out about the Dream Center at... church and applied for our Transitional Housing for Homeless Families program. Today, Ricardo and his two daughters are our newest residents and not only were they able to stay together as a family, Ricardo is now full of hope and excited for all that God has in store for them. Thank you for your support that is giving families like Ricardo’s a chance. Your support is helping us renew hope, rebuild lives, and #RestoreLA. If you or anyone you know is in need, go to dreamcenter.org/residential to find out more about our programs today. #godisgood #sunday #restore #rebuildlives #renewhope #hope #homelessness #goodnews #positivity #miracle #newlife #la #losangeles #echopark #angelustemple #dreamcenter #godisgoodallthetime #godislove #godsplan

Happy Easter!All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritancean inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 1 Peter: 1-4

Join us for #GoodFriday service tonight @angelustemplela as we remember and give thanks for the goodness of God and the ultimate sacrifice that was made. Join us for in-person service at 6pm to hear a special word from Pastor @matthewbarnett1 or tune in online at angelustemple.org.

The Food Pantry is restocked and we are ready to serve you this morning! If you or anyone you know is in need of FREE groceries, diapers, PPE products, or meals, come by 11am-2pm! dreamcenter.org #foodpantry #freefood #freemeals #groceries #dreamcenter #losangeles #la #echopark #silverlake #hollywood #koreatown #dtla #eastla #southla #midcity #downtownla #community #friday

Wow!!! We are so honored to be one of @kershawschallenge 2021 beneficiaries! Thank you @claytonkershaw and Ellen for your ongoing support for the Dream Center year after year and all that you do for the city of #LosAngeles! We are so grateful to have partnered with you throughout the years and look forward to making an impact in our communities #together this year! No better way to celebrate #OpeningDay than with this!

#TBT to May 2018 when we officially opened our Women Veterans Home! Thanks to the generosity and support of Pastor @jentezen, Kingdom Community, @redturn2 @court_with_a_k and @jtfoundation10 , this beautiful 18-bed home is open to women Veterans who have served our country and are in need of support. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, women comprise the fastest-growing segment of the homeless Veteran population. In the recent years, the number of homeless... female Veterans increased by 7 percent, compared with 1 percent for their male counterparts. Our Veterans Program is a 12-month transitional housing program that offers the stability and practical tools veterans need to effectively reintegrate back into productive, healthy, and fulfilling lives. We provide a structured and stable environment where Veterans can pursue opportunities in finding employment, continuing education, and accessing benefits and services. Our desire is to see veterans restored to confidence and wholeness, giving them a sense of mission and purpose. If you or someone you know is a military veteran in need, go to dreamcenter.org to learn more or to apply for our program today. #veterans#veteran#dreamcenter#military#army#navy#marines#airforce#usa#veteransday#veteransupport#supportourveterans#usveterans#veteransusa#transitionalhousing#free#veteransprogram#homelessness #throwback #veteransday #throwbackthursday

It was a great day here at our Restart Learning Center today with 64 students in attendance to get support with #onlinelearning. Thank you for all of your support! YOU are making a difference in these children’s lives by allowing us to provide free resources so that they can have the opportunity they deserve. dreamcenter.org... #restartlearningcenter #dreamcenter #losangeles #echopark #la #community #distancelearning #remotelearning #learningcenter #learning #makelearningfun #teacher #student #outdoorschool #edtech #digitallearning #schoollife

God is with us and our nation! Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Approximately 4,800 veterans experience homelessness in #LACounty at any given time. The number of homeless veterans outweighs the number of available beds in many transitional housing programs throughout Los Angeles. Here at the Dream Center, we offer a 45-bed facility for men and women U.S. military veterans experiencing homelessness. Our Veterans Program is a one-year residential program designed to help equip veterans with the direction and support needed to transition in...to civilian life after their service. This month, in honor of the brave men and women who have served our country, we will be highlighting our residential program, sharing stories of lives changed, and raising awareness to how we support our military veterans here in Los Angeles. If you or someone you know is a military veteran in need, go to dreamcenter.org to learn more or to apply for our program today. #veterans #veteran #dreamcenter #military #army #navy #marines #airforce #usa #veteransday #veteransupport #supportourveterans #usveterans #veteransusa #transitionalhousing #free #veteransprogram

What an honor to have the incredible voice of @jamiemillmusic bless us this morning at @angelustemplela’s first Sunday service back in eight months! There couldn’t have been a better way to kick off the reopening of Angelus Temple’s church services. Thank you Jamie for your continued love and support. We love you!

Today we received 2,700 CASES of Gatorade Bolt24 from @feedthehungry.usa to bless our community with! We are blown away by all of the support as our efforts to meet the need of our city continues. Thank you Feed the Hungry for partnering with us and for your dedication to feeding the poor and hungry around the world.#powerinpartnership dreamcenter.org #gatorade #gatoradebolt #bolt24 #friday #feelgoodfriday #positivity #goodvibes #partnership #feedthehungry #dreamcenter #bettertogether #strongertogether #together #dogood #community #losangeles #la

It’s been an amazing morning so far with over 10,000 POUNDS of food being distributed to 25 churches! And that’s just TODAY! Every Monday and Thursday our food bank distribute food to over 35 different local churches and organizations who then distribute to their local communities in need. With these unprecedented times, it is paramount that we work together to be here for those in need throughout our city. Partner with us! If you are a local church or organization looking ...for ways to provide food resources to your community in need, go to dreamcenter.org to find out how. We are always #bettertogether. #losangeles #la #local #echopark #hollywood #silverlake #koreatown #dtla #southla #together #strongertogether #lagether #lastrong #positivity #goodvibes #foodbank

Thank you City Socks Organic for your donation of these awesome #LA cityscape socks for all the children here at the Restart Learning Center! A special thank you to @jonahplatt for stopping by and partnering with City Socks to deliver these socks today! We are so grateful for your support! #losangeles #restartlearningcenter #dreamcenter

CONGRATULATIONS to the #WORLDSERIES2020 CHAMPIONS @dodgers!!! We love you! Thank you @claytonkershaw @redturn2 for all that you do for our city! The men and women in our recovery program watching the game and celebrating the big win for LA. @kershawschallenge @court_with_a_k @jtfoundation10 ... #dodgers #letsgododgers #gododgerss #la #losangeles #worldseries #justinturner #claytonkershaw

I grew up in a toxic, violent home. My dad was a drug addict and very abusive towards my mother and eventually started abusing me verbally, emotionally, physically, mentally, and sexually. I was bullied from elementary school all the way through high school. I grew up abused, neglected and abandoned. At the age of 12, I started drinking, smoking weed and popping pills. I began to practice witchcraft at 13 and stopped eating. I wore corsets and waist trainers because of being... bullied my whole life for my weight. I formed a meth addiction 4 years ago and got into a relationship that became toxic and abusive. He was controlling, manipulative. I lost myself, my morals, and I began to hurt myself, drowning in drugs and alcohol. I lost my 3 children because of this and lost my job, house and car. He got more abusive and was also a meth addict. It was torture and complete hell. I tried to commit suicide a few times. I was kept locked in his room for 2 months; little food and water, only drugs. I barely saw the light of day. I was dying. My spirit was drained. I was broken, my soul damaged. The Dream Center gave me time to heal. This is the safest place I’ve ever been and the time spent with God has helped me so much. He’s restoring my life. This is my home. I know I’ll get my daughters back with the help of the Dream Center. I’m doing my best to become a better version of myself: consistent, honorable, responsible, obedient, trustworthy, teachable, and humble. Now I have the joy of the Lord. He’s restored my relationship with my family and delivered me from past addictions. I’m learning to love myself. I found my calling and purpose, to be a leader and help with the youth. I’ve written sermons and spoken word while being here. I’m learning to love others and forgive. If you want change, restoration, healing, a new life, this is the place to go. You’ll learn to break old habits and learn new healthy ones. You’ll lean on God and build a relationship with Him. He will restore you and make you whole and new. You’ll learn discipline and self-control, love and compassion. This place and program saved and changed my entire life. I am forever grateful. - Janet, DCD

Now we say to ourselves how can we just help people for one more day? Our vision is now down to 24 hours of survival. But we’re living on the edge and I think we were born for this hour to do this type of work. It’s up to 45% unemployment in our community alone around the Dream Center that we’re dealing with, so it’s just unbelievable what we’re facing right now. But I think one thing is that we’re doing, we’re not only giving away food, we’re giving out enthusiasm and joy. We celebrate everyone who comes through the line. @matthewbarnett1

While our Los Angeles Dodgers are getting ready for GAME 3 tonight, the children here at the Restart Learning Center received a VERY special surprise this morning! Four playhouses that had been built and hand-painted by Dodger employees were provided for the children to enjoy and to encourage them to #playballathome, every child is going home with a whiffle bat and ball set along with a #dodgers hat! Thank you Los Angeles Dodgers for your continued support and for not only lifting the spirits of the children here at the Dream Center, but also our city at large. Wishing our #BoysInBlue good luck in tonight’s game! #GODODGERS