The architecture of the city

Yesterday I changed my routine a little. Normally I go downtown in the early afternoon and then go back in the later evening. Last night I had a music show to attend so I altered what has become my daily routine.

I went downtown in the late afternoon to take some photos as the sun was setting. With the modern glass buildings and their reflections things can get quite interesting. When there are two glass buildings reflecting in each other you almost get a mirror in a mirror effect. With the heat of the day rising from the street below there can be waves in the image as well.

The architecture - the old and the new, classic and modern, run down and rebuilt, torn down and in the process of being torn down or in the process of starting a new life as a changed structure.

Everywhere one looks there are stunning sights to see with not only a visual component but a historical one as well. I never cared for history when I was a child. Perhaps as we get older the desire to understand more of the past ... or what I walked by without taking more than a quick glance?

I was born and raised in this city. My grandfather owned an industrial laundry and uniform company on Grand Avenue. When I was a teenager I worked in the laundry in the summer to make a few dollars. When I was very young my grandfather would take me to places like the Central Market and the Toy District. The Toy District is now primarily skid row. Both of my parents were also born in Los Angeles. Between my parents and grandparents I saw a lot of the city with my eyes but did not process enough of what I saw with my mind. Perhaps as we age we traverse a process. Blind to apathy to what in the hell did I miss?

These days I try to open my eyes a bit wider as I walk a bit more slowly to take in the sights and sounds of the city. I try to think more and take moments each day to become involved for a few minutes in the lives of others, giving help where I am able.

Below are some of the shots of the city, Los Angeles, which I took yesterday in the afternoon. If you click on any of the photos you will be redirected to where they are kept where larger format sizes can be seen.





















The contrasts are so strong.

IMG_0209

IMG_0209, originally uploaded by myles111us.

Taking a break from the homeless subject, here is a bit of architecture information.

Many of the buildings in Los Angeles (this is in Little Tokyo) have had many business occupants. Today this building is an inexpensive hotel.

Will these photos have any more impact if I add any of my own words?

The shot directly above ... up close and personal.





Go ahead and count them; five police cars. Just a regular day. You can only see the lights going on one car due to the speed of the camera but all had lights going.







All photos in this post by Myles S. Rose

Another video on Andy Bales - the head of Union Rescue Mission

I am not generally thought of as a person with strong feelings toward religion. I will listen to any views or thoughts on religion even though they are not a strong part of my own life. Perhaps as I get older things will change.

I do have respect for the beliefs of others and always try to learn what I might be able to learn from others. Many of the missions which help the homeless are deeply rooted in religion. I suppose that just as there is a divide of Church and State in some aspects of law I too try to keep religion and my help to those less fortunate divided. In the video below there are some points on religion so I just wanted to take a moment to express some of my own thoughts so people that know me and think they understand me do not become confused. The video below has many terrific points.



Rev. Andy Bales | Stories from Skid Row from Union Rescue Mission on Vimeo.

The Union Rescue Mission along with the other missions help the homeless in many ways. I do not have their resources or a staff but do what I can do. Sometimes people help such as Mr. Win and Mr. Kim who operate produce areas in the Central Market in downtown Los Angeles. They have both given me a lot of help in the procurement of healthy things I can pass out at night to folks on the street that stay there when there is no space at one of the missions or shelters.





In these photos above you will see two pounds for $1.00 or three pounds for $1.00. I am able to get between five and ten pounds for $1.00 from some of these vendors who have helped me directly.

The more time I spend with the people of the area the more questions I ask myself

I have spent the last two days and one night downtown other than coming back to NoHo for a few hours to do a little work in the shop over at 65 Amps.

Some prefer the street to other options. Photo by Myles S. Rose

I have spent time on the street and have spent time in two of the main missions; the Los Angeles Mission and the Union Rescue Mission.  These two places are a half a block from each other.   I have been spending most of my time with those that remain on the streets rather than use the facilities of the missions.  Many feel the rules in the missions are too restrictive.  Many feel the missions are violent and dangerous.  I have been asking a lot of questions to try to learn more in the terms of restrictions and violence.

I can understand one aspect of "the rules".  Many people in this area partake in alcohol.  Many also partake in the use of crack.  Yes, there are rules; no crack use or alcohol comsumption in the missions or shelter areas.  So at this time I have learned that there are rules that some people may not be able to go along with easily.  The violence?  I am still trying to figure that out.  There is a lot of violence on the streets.  Just stand by the garage exit on the San Julian Street side of the Central Police Station and count the cars that turn on their siren upon hitting the street before they even hit then end of the block.  The streets are a dangerous place and I feel that they are more dangerous than inside of the mission or shelter areas.  This is based on my own very limited experience.

Above is Andy Bales the head fellow at the Union Rescue Mission.  This video was done in 2009 and gives a good picture of the current situation.  This video was supplied to me by the URM.

Above - a police car just turned up 6th street but within moments made a U-turn and deployed its siren.  Photo by Myles S. Rose

Police driving by Union Rescue Mission.  A car drives by this mission every few minutes. 

Photo by Myles S. Rose

Photo by Myles S. Rose

One question that keeps drilling itself into my brain is; do I spend my efforts working with one of the large organizations such as one of the missions which do help many people or do I try to work more on my own and do what I am able directly for a few individuals?  I have not answered that question at this time.  I have made friends and there are now people that seem to be happy to see me.  I have fed people and bought folks coffee.  I have developed relationships with vendors at the Central Market for things like bananas, rasins, nuts and oatmeal.  I have learned of a Chinese restaurant that closes at 6pm that has fed a small group of my new friends with food that would have been tossed out in the evening. 

The views in the evening are spectacular.  In the late afternoon Skid Row lies in the shadows of some of the most wealthy corporations in the world.  The contrast is something that is hard to comprehend.  Los Angeles is no different than many other cities in this aspect but Los Angeles does have the highest population of homeless people in the United States.  Over 85,000 people which is more than the population of Santa Barbara.

Photo by Myles S. Rose

There are new buildings, old buildings, buildings with no hope with their life lost and buildings that have been given a new lease on life.  The contrasts numb one's mind.

Vietnam era vets continue to be the highest percentage of homeless.  The sick and mentally ill are a part of the population as well.  The current economic conditions have brought many new homeless residents into the area, people who only weeks before were living in a home which used to be their own.  Once a job is lost and unemployment cannot cover their house mortgage they may end up on the street if they have no other option such as family or friends to offer help.  The look of failure on a parents face is hard to forget.  The look is that of fear as well as failure.  Their children have had their stable world pulled out from under their feet.

Photos by Myles S. Rose

The video directly above is the Los Angeles Mission area

The video above is San Julian Street. The police in the area call this the most dangerous street in all of Los Angeles. On this street you see the Union Rescue Mission. These two missions are less than a few moments walk from each other. The Midnight Mission is another block away and there are smaller missions in the general area as well.

Video segment 1,2,3 by Myles S. Rose.  Video below on Hope Garden by Union Rescue Mission.

Hope Gardens from Union Rescue Mission on Vimeo.

The redline station exit on the 4th street side at Pershing Square

Video from this evening of downtown Los Angeles

Homelessness in Los Angeles County

According to the Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty at the Weingart Center, an estimated 254,000 men, women and children experience homelessness in Los Angeles County during some part of the year and approximately 82,000 people are homeless on any given night. Unaccompanied youth, especially in the Hollywood area, are estimated to make up from 4,800 to 10,000 of these.

Although homeless people may be found throughout the county, the largest percentages are in South Los Angeles and Metro Los Angeles. Most are from the Los Angeles area and stay in or near the communities from which they came. About 14 to 18 percent of homeless adults in Los Angeles County are not U.S. citizens compared with 29% of adults overall. A high percentage - as high as 20 percent - are veterans. African Americans make up approximately half of the Los Angeles County homeless population - disproportionately high compared to the percentage of African Americans in the county overall (about 9 percent).

Other Facts About the Homeless Population in Los Angeles:

The average age is 40 - women tend to be younger.

33% to 50% are female. Men make up about 75% of the single population.

About 42% to 77% do not receive public benefits to which they are entitled.

20% to 43% are in families, typically headed by a single mother.

An estimated 20% are physically disabled.

41% of adults were employed within last year.
(This may indicate that many people are newer to the ranks of the homeless as many had lost their jobs in the last year)
About 25% are mentally ill.

As children, 27% lived in foster care or group homes; 25% were physically or sexually abused

33%-66% of single individuals have substance abuse issues.

48% graduated from high school; 32% had a bachelor degree or higher (as compared to 45% and 25% for the population overall respectively).

This video was done over two years ago

This video was done in September 2007. This was prior to the major part of the downturn in the economy. As bad as things were back in 2007 they have become much worse now at the end of 2009.

America's Forgotten