More Women and Children on Skid Row

With sorrow, I read the article “Skid Row’s Changing Face” (July 28).

I am president of the board of directors for Charlotte’s House in Carson, a small transitional house for homeless women with children. I am totally aware of the problem and the need for both short- and long-term shelters. I am also aware of the struggle that these facilities face just to keep the doors open. It takes money to pay the mortgage, the light bill, the water bill, keep food on the table and keep the building in repair. One must constantly beg for money from the private sector and local, state and federal governments. However, donations and grants are never enough. At times, the problem is so acute that the two full-time employees at Charlotte’s House waive their meager salaries so that bills can be paid.

Many persons volunteer their services. However, adequate financial support must be found.

COREEN FIELDS

Carson

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As pastor and executive director of a church-based nonprofit that runs the S.A.Y. Yes! Center for Youth Development after-school program, we also have seen a growing number of children in the skid row area.

We have seen families move out of the downtown hotels, only to move to a worse environment in the MacArthur Park or South-Central area, then only to have them cycle back to the downtown skid row area months later.

As one who has lived downtown for nearly 10 years with my family, I want to advocate that the mayor, City Council and the CRA develop more affordable housing in the downtown area.

SCOTT CHAMBERLAIN

Pastor, Central City

Church of the Nazarene

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I was disappointed to read the Times article “Welfare Rolls Show Record Decline Throughout State” (July 26) so willingly accept the speculation of state officials and others that the welfare caseload decrease is tied to an increase in employment. The only hard numbers provided of actual jobs obtained came with no substantiating description of studies done to track those leaving welfare. Indeed, several paragraphs later, it was noted that no system for tracking former welfare recipients was even in place.

In addition, no mention was made of the fear that immigrants have of being labeled a “public charge” and actual harassment that is taking place under the rubric of “fraud investigation” in some counties. Immigrants lawfully here and eligible for public benefits, even those who only use benefits for their citizen children, fear accessing them out of concern that having done so will be used against them in the future when they try to become citizens or otherwise adjust their immigration status.

LYNN KERSEY, MA, MPH

Executive Director

Maternal and Child Health Access

Los Angeles