Partnership Dedicates Homes for Low-Income
Capping a partnership between church, state and private business to help solve problems in the inner city, a 126-unit townhome complex for low-income families has been dedicated in Bell Gardens.
The $13.8-million project--the first to be built on the West Coast as part of a joint effort called Nehemiah Homes--will enable low-income families to buy their first homes for as little as $3,000 down and $524 a month. Another 35 units are planned for Compton.
The low down payments and mortgage costs were made possible through the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which provided a no-interest $2.95-million construction loan, and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, which loaned $450,000 at no interest.
In addition, Bank of America provided $5.4 million at the bank’s cost, while the state of California, through the Century Freeway Housing Program, and the Bell Gardens Redevelopment Agency put in a combined $4.1 million.
In colorful ceremonies last Sunday in Bell Gardens, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, and the Rt. Rev. Frederick H. Borsch, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, dedicated the new homes by sprinkling holy water as a sign of God’s blessing.
“This isn’t just another enterprise development. This is something that can perhaps heal some of the wounds that are so typical now of our major urban areas,” said developer Loren Bloch, president of Community Dynamics Inc. of Santa Monica.
The Nehemiah West Housing Corp. was formed by United Neighborhoods Organization and South Central Organizing Committee, which are affiliates of the Industrial Areas Foundation.
Low-income families interested in purchasing one of the homes may call Community Dynamics at (310) 396-7282.
HOLY WEEK
* An Easter Walk-a-Thon to “Stop the Violence; Stop the Racism!” will begin at 9:30 a.m. next Saturday at the First Church of God at Crenshaw Boulevard and 95th Street. It will conclude at 2:30 p.m. with a rally in the 30th Street parking lot of West Angeles Church of God in Christ, 3045 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. Bishop Charles E. Blake and other members of the clergy and community will speak. For information, phone the Rev. Calvin Brown at (213) 733-8300.
* In a Palm Sunday drama, newly consecrated Lutheran Bishop Paul Egertson will lead children and a donkey in a procession across the lawn at Lutheran Church of the Master in Sylmar at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. 13425 Glenoaks Blvd. (818) 362-7700.
* Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena is holding a free festival of the arts through next Saturday. As part of the festival, open to the public, three plays will be directed by Prof. Walter Hollenweger: “Disciples’ Mass,” “Mary, the Mother of Jesus” and “Bonhoeffer Requiem,” depicting the life of a German theologian who was a martyr during World War II. The festival also features a gallery of student and faculty art, a panel discussion on “Christian Artists in the Secular Art World,” a concert featuring the Motown Christian gospel group Strate Vocalz and the beginning of a peace quilt. For a complete schedule, phone (818) 584-5367.
* Retired UCLA teacher and basketball coach John Wooden will be the keynote speaker at the Los Angeles YMCA’s 37th annual Good Friday breakfast at 8 a.m. Friday in the Bonaventure Hotel. Others on the program include television anchor Linda Alvarez and the Rev. John R. Todd of Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, who will read the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Tickets are $14. For reservations, phone (213) 351-2224.
* Holman United Methodist Church will present a High Holy Day Reflection featuring Part II of Handel’s “Messiah,” performed by the Holman Choir with soloists and orchestra, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. 3320 W. Adams Boulevard. (213) 731-7285.
* Malibu Presbyterian Church will hold services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The Rev. David Worth will speak on “The Challenge of the Cross.” A special Communion service focusing on the Last Supper and the arrest, trial and crucifixion of Jesus will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday. 3324 Malibu Canyon Road (310) 456-1611.
* A special Good Friday service at Faith United Methodist Church in Los Angeles from noon to 3 p.m. will feature the Rev. Cherrye Cunnigan of Wesley United Methodist Church in Long Beach and the Rev. Charles Washington of Compton First United Methodist Church. The Rev. M. Andrew Robinson-Gaither is the host pastor. 1713 W. 108th Street. (213) 754-8453.
* Wilshire Presbyterian Church will present its annual Five-Course Chinese Luncheon at noon Sunday. Malcolm Bosma and the church choir will present a concert at 1 p.m. 300 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. For reservations, phone (213) 387-5387.
* A Tre-Ore Good Friday service at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica from noon until 3 p.m. will feature a sermon by the Rev. James Kallas, the church’s recently retired senior pastor. 1343 Ocean Park Boulevard. (310) 452-1166.
* Lake Avenue Congregational Church in Pasadena will host a free Festival of Choirs at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, featuring eight choral groups from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. The church expects more than 2,000 people to attend its 7:30 p.m. service on Maundy Thursday. Guest soloists will be Christian recording artists Fernando Ortega, Marcia Skidmore and David Kress. 393 N. Lake Avenue. (818) 795-7221. Donations will be accepted at both events.
* The contemporary cantata “We Shall Behold Him” by David Clydesdale and Dottie Rambo will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Good Friday at Culver-Palms United Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City. Suggested donation is $5. (310) 390-7717.
* Bach’s Cantata 106, “God’s Time Is the Best,” will be sung at 7:30 p.m. Friday as part of the Good Friday service at the First Lutheran Church of Northridge. Admission is free. 18355 Roscoe Boulevard. (818) 885-6861.
DATES
* The public is invited to a Passover Seder for families, seniors and singles at the Hollywood Los Feliz Jewish Community Center at 6 p.m. next Saturday. Reservations must be received by Monday. For ticket information, phone (213) 663-2255.
* Reservations for a community Seder at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks must be received by Monday. The Seder will be held at 7 p.m. next Saturday. (805) 497-6891.
