Chamber to Hear How to Help the Homeless
Dr. Alex Kopelowicz, director of the San Fernando Mental Health Clinic, will speak about the problems of homeless people and strategies to help them at Wednesday’s meeting of the Woodland Hills Chamber of Commerce.
Kopelowicz’s presentation, sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, is one of a series of talks planned with chambers of commerce around the San Fernando Valley.
With the recent county budget and health-care crises, fears have arisen that diminished services for the mentally ill would result in increased numbers of homeless and sick people on the street.
Kopelowicz said his talks are designed to inform merchants and others about methods of confronting homeless people and helping them find the care and shelter they need.
“Business leaders want to know” that kind of information, said Kopelowicz, who so far has spoken at three community meetings. “I appeal to them from their point of view. I say: ‘I’m here to help you deal with something that happens in front of your businesses.’ I give strategies they can use to defuse situations and phone numbers they can call” or give out to homeless people.
Wednesday’s meeting will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Warner Center Hilton, 6360 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills.
For information, call (818) 347-4737.
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