Women receive flowers on Mother’s Day near the Fred Jordan Mission in downtown Los Angeles, where a banquet was held for about 2,000 disadvantaged mothers and their families. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Joy Dean Whitmore, 73, of Los Angeles is joined at the banquet by many other mothers, who each got a flower and gift bag. The late Rev. Fred Jordan, who opened the mission for men in 1944, had told his wife that a mother’s touch was needed to run the operation. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Jeanette Whitmore, 51, celebrates at the feast with her mother, Joy Dean Whitmore. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Maria Luisa Contreras, 65, was not able to spend the day with her children, but she said, “Today is a beautiful day not to be sad.” (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Elena Sanchez, 34, holds Fausto Martinez Jr., 2, as she prays during the sit-down meal of baked chicken and greens. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Carolyn Jones, 47, who lives at the Union Rescue Mission with her three sons, holds son Tyron Jones, 6, at the annual gathering. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
