Homeless Family’s Story Prompts Offers of Help

Today is the first day of Brian’s Christmas break.

It will also be the first night since summer that the 14-year-old boy, his younger sister and their mother won’t have to call their van their home.

The Santa Monica High School freshman was one of three homeless children portrayed Friday in a story in The Times, generating many calls from readers, including several who offered help. The story pointed out that the proportion of homeless children is growing, despite the nation’s prosperity.

It also chronicled the plight of a 7-year-old girl, her three sisters and their mother on skid row, as well as a 17-year-old boy living in a tent in Pasadena.

“I’ve got loads of space,” said Sue Jeffrey, manager of the Back on Broadway Restaurant in Santa Monica. She lives in a three-bedroom, two-bath house. “It’s a great time of year to feel like you can help someone out.”

Jeffrey said Brian and his family will be staying at her home until Dec. 29, shortly before their caseworker expects to have transitional housing available for the family.

Another reader, Colette Brooks of Malibu, said she will board Brian’s three dogs until the family finds more permanent accommodations.

Other callers offered money, clothing and food. An aide to state Sen. Dede Alpert (D-Coronado) called with a job prospect.

Brian’s mother said she was stunned by the outpouring, and very grateful. “It was getting colder every night,” she said.

Her children, she said, “are excited” by the prospect of sleeping in a real bed.

“People really do want to help,” said Rhonda Meister, executive director of St. Joseph Center in Venice, which has been working with the family for the past few months. “It’s good news at any time of year but . . . for this family to be inside during the holidays is really what Christmas and Hanukkah are about.”

To help Brian and his family, call St. Joseph Center at (310) 399-2462.