Pastor Wants to Bust Homelessness in L.A.

When you’re homeless, down and out, or just in need of life’s necessities, who you gonna call?

Bondage Busters!

This serious-minded effort with a funny name is out to bust homelessness and destitution on Los Angeles streets. The brainchild of a 46-year-old Pacoima-based pastor, Charles Hudson, Bondage Busters is driven by Hudson’s simple philosophy of ministering to the needy in their element: the streets.

“We should deal with the people, like Jesus,” Hudson said. “Everyone deserves treatment. My thinking is: If people are wanting in basic needs--food, clothing or shelter--they can’t advance in life. We’re here to do something about that, right now.”

Out of its headquarters at the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce, Bondage Busters fields hot line calls from landlords or other individuals who identify the homeless or needy. Then, Hudson or one of his volunteers drives to the scene and brings the needy person back to the headquarters.

After needs-assessment applications are filled out, the client is directed to the organization’s food, clothing, housing or job banks.

Often, all of these are needed.

Bondage Busters has served about 200 clients a week since moving to the Chamber of Commerce, and Hudson is adamant about giving them what they need to stand on both feet.

“People need to be delivered, not recycled,” said Hudson, who has been pastor of the nondenominational Prayerhouse of God in Pacoima for six years.

“Giving people money on the streets is not the solution. We want to teach people to fish for themselves rather than give them a few fish to make it through the day.”

Begun in 1989 as a nonprofit enterprise, Bondage Busters found a home three months ago at the Chamber of Commerce on Crenshaw Boulevard. Hudson and chamber Executive Director Craig Sasser met last summer at a Bondage Busters benefit.

Sasser said Hudson’s determination impressed him enough that he offered space rent-free in exchange for office help from Hudson’s volunteers.

Staffed by 12 part-timers, Bondage Busters subsists solely on private donations and the cooperation of landlords, shelter directors, business owners and individuals. Ruth Davis, who runs the Mother of Mothers Home in South-Central, frequently provides temporary housing for Hudson’s clients. “What the pastor is doing is great,” Davis said. “It’s from God.”

Caroline Smith, 18, found Bondage Busters in the Yellow Pages a few weeks ago.

“I was in a situation where I had nowhere to go, and Pastor Hudson helped me right away,” Smith said.

Hudson keeps a list of employment agencies where he sends clients, although he has no formal contracts with any.

“Maybe the job is temporary, but it can turn into a permanent one,” Hudson said.

Despite Hudson’s seemingly tireless efforts, money is a constant concern. The ’74 Ford van the group uses needs more than a few repairs, and Hudson wants to convert a recently acquired nine-room office building into a school and job-training center.

Volunteer Katri Riley-Lee, a 33-year-old mother and ministry student, said money runs a distant second to the vision that guides the organization.

Riley-Lee was a nurse who gave up a $120-per-day job to do occasional temporary work with Hudson.

“I’ve sacrificed money,” she said, “but I’ve never been happier.”