L.A. NOW

Southern California -- this just in

« Previous Post | L.A. NOW Home | Next Post »

City Beat: On Hollywood Boulevard, young and homeless

Hundreds of young people live on the streets of Hollywood -- without jobs, without housing, often without enough food to eat. Many turn to My Friend's Place, a privately funded center that provides them with what food it can afford as well as clothes, hot showers, clean underwear, toilet paper and toiletries.

For my latest City Beat, I headed to the stretch of Hollywood Boulevard where My Friend's Place sits perched over the 101 Freeway.

All day long every day, young people congregate there. I spoke to them about their lives.

Read my story here.

Here's what I sent out on Twitter from the scene:

View the story "Young and homeless on Hollywood Boulevard" on StorifyYoung and homeless on Hollywood BoulevardSo many homeless young people live on the streets of Hollywood. Living on Hollywood Boulevard is not glamorous. They get help from My Friend's Place, which offers them food, clothing, showers, toiletries, toilet paper -- and assistance when they're ready to change their lives.Storified by LA Times City Beat � Thu, Nov 22 2012 10:48:24For my next City Beat, I head to Hollywood Boulevard to talk to young people living on the street.LA Times City BeatCome along with me to meet Hollywood's homeless young people -- and give thanks for those who help them.LA Times City BeatMy Friend's Place is on Hollywood Boulevard, perched over a freeway exit. It is a lifeline for many: http://pic.twitter.com/ueVaU0XTLA Times City BeatInside, homeless young people get food, clothes & showers. They also get help to move off the streets: http://pic.twitter.com/iEERmWh9LA Times City BeatOn this stretch of boulevard, you'll find many young people sticking close to My Friend's Place: http://pic.twitter.com/04R7GL96LA Times City BeatAt a nearby bus stop, this 22-year-old, nicknamed Lone Ranger, readies to "fly a sign" on an offramp: http://pic.twitter.com/PNmgW80YLA Times City BeatThese are the things he carries with him-- clothes from My Friend's Place, a sleeping bag he found: http://pic.twitter.com/sQrRfGdTLA Times City BeatOn his right hand, a key ring and a skateboard bearing -- given to him by a brother he misses: http://pic.twitter.com/97SGSOK1LA Times City BeatRancid, nicknamed for the band, says she ran away from her Hollywood Hills home when she was 9: http://pic.twitter.com/ZcYJ9j8TLA Times City BeatMJ and Sam came here from Pennsylvania. She is 41/2 months pregnant, with her fifth child. She's 26: http://pic.twitter.com/Ap2ja1n7LA Times City BeatSam and Rancid wear lots of bracelets. They swap them. Each has a story: http://pic.twitter.com/Oa8aG7MiLA Times City BeatIn prison for 5 months for stealing a car, MJ had Sam's name tattooed on his fingers: http://pic.twitter.com/IJH5UfjOLA Times City BeatSam and MJ's kids are being raised by others. They had 2 together. A foster family sends photos: http://pic.twitter.com/CIukB33mLA Times City BeatSam and MJ say they want to get off the streets and raise the next baby, due in April: http://pic.twitter.com/vjpvQuKOLA Times City BeatThey are grateful for the help of My Friend's Place -- and strangers. One have them this food: http://pic.twitter.com/ywMABOSxLA Times City BeatMy Friend's Place is privately funded. Go to http://myfriendsplace.org to help: http://pic.twitter.com/oGMQIrPuLA Times City BeatDo read my latest City Beat -- in the Thanksgiving Day paper -- on Hollywood's homeless young people: http://lat.ms/Y580QMLA Times City Beat

-- Nita Lelyveld

Follow City Beat on Twitter at @latimescitybeat and on Facebook. Send ideas for City Beat dispatches to nita.lelyveld@latimes.com.

EDITOR'S PICKS:

Californians favor strict gun control measures, poll shows

Bell trial ends in chaos

L.A.'s mayoral rivals walk fine line in dealing with labor

Email: newstips@latimes.com

Twitter: @lanow

Facebook: Los Angeles Times Local News

More in: Central L.A., Hollywood, Homeless/Social Services

Comments () | Archives (0)

Recommended on Facebook

Follow @latimes

Video

About L.A. Now

L.A. Now is the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news section for Southern California. It is produced by more than 80 reporters and editors in The Times’ Metro section, reporting from the paper’s downtown Los Angeles headquarters as well as bureaus in Costa Mesa, Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Riverside, Ventura and West Los Angeles.

Have a story tip for L.A. Now?

Please send to newstips@latimes.com

Can I call someone with news?

Yes. The city desk number is (213) 237-7847.

Advanced Search