‘Harnessing the Spirit’

Hooray for the editorial suggestion (Dec. 1), “Harnessing the Spirit,” that nonprofit groups join in partnership with government agencies to provide innovative counseling services and transitional residential programs for the people of Skid Row.

Caring Hands Programs, a public benefit service of Wings over Jordan, Inc., is acquiring a downtown apartment building to provide transitional housing, in conjunction with “Return to Life,” a case management center for the homeless, a project initially funded by the Cathedral Corp. of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles.

This new program of case management/transitional housing is intended to address a broad range of client needs, including the special needs of the homeless mentally ill. The agencies now at work on Skid Row are doing an admirable job, and Caring Hands hopes to contribute to their partnership by providing broader community participation.

ROBERT BROWN

Los Angeles

Brown is associate rector of St. James’ Church and a member of the executive committee of Caring Hands Programs.