The Restoration Project

California has a large homeless population and most services available to them are located in the metropolitan areas. When you’re forced to sleep outside there is no better place to settle-in than near the coast where the temperature extremes are mitigated by the pacific ocean. Most beach communities along the coast are wealthy and have the tax base to support their own police force, consequently keeping the homeless off the curbs, park benches, and green space is often a 24hr effort. Wilmington is an area in Los Angeles nearest the Port of Los Angeles, a largely industrial area with some early established residential parcels that have survived the massive support services for trucking, marine, and logistic needs that have sprung up over the years. It also is a poor area of town without a lot of green spaces, parks, beaches, or voting constituents within the city limits of Los Angeles, consequently is has become an area where the homeless can experience the advantages of the marine weather influence without too much police harassment as long as they are not blocking any access or staring fires to keep warm. Kevin and Brandy were a married couple I knew at Kings Harbor Church who started organizing members of our church to assist the Wilmington Beacon Light Mission to help serve dinner and hand out used clothing. Over the years that expanded into Saturday sack lunch events that included haircuts, feet washing and new socks. When I moved and was no longer able to volunteer, Kevin and Brandy had Department Stores donating shoes to their events. I have continued to support financially from a distance of 95 miles away as they established a non-profit and expanded their outreach in the winter with sleeping bags, shelter tarps, and hot coffee. I have been impressed with Kevin and Brandy’s ability to engage business, individuals and government agencies to deliver essential resources and assistance directly to our most vulnerable on the streets which include women with children trying to live in cars. They have a deep compassion in their hearts for the needy that I wish I had.
Patrick McGinn
3562 Sky Haven Lane
Oceanside, CA 92056
rust0nails@gmail.com