Valley Mayors’ Fund for the Homeless Comes in From the Cold

The Valley Mayors’ Fund for the Homeless has found a home.

According to actress Marsha Hunt, founder of the group, the nonprofit organization will move Thursday into a rent-free office provided by Family Service of Los Angeles at its community center, 17400 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys.

“Now we can move the office out of my house and driveway,” Hunt said.

The fund lost its free office at Potter Realty in July when owner Marilyn Potter closed the office to work from her home. The group had operated out of the Van Nuys Boulevard office since its founding in 1984.

Hunt said the offer from Family Service was one of 10 the mayors’ fund received after it was announced that the volunteer group was without a home.

“We were so impressed that we had so many offers,” she said. “In a society so ruled by the profit motive, it was a revelation to us that there were so many good folk ready to donate their room space to us.”

The mayors’ fund never has paid rent or salaries, devoting all its resources to aiding San Fernando Valley organizations that help the homeless. It has donated more than $50,000 to such groups, Hunt said.

Fran Umansky, director of the community center, said goals of the fund are compatible with those of her organization.

Others offering free office space to the group were Los Angeles City Councilman Ernani Bernardi, Sherman Oaks United Methodist Church, Calvary Grace Community Church in Van Nuys, Better Valley Services in Van Nuys, the Valley Shelter in North Hollywood, Sister Mary Dominic’s Home Visitation Center in Pacoima, Van Nuys businessman Al Stone and homeowners Jean Fields of Van Nuys and Diane Marotta of North Hollywood.

In addition to Hunt, honorary mayor of Sherman Oaks, the mayors’ fund includes honorary mayors of 16 other communities and the elected mayors of San Fernando and Burbank. Last week, Hunt, the president since the group’s founding, gave up the post to actor Anthony Brafa, honorary mayor of Studio City.