‘Safe and Clean’ Program Sought Homeless Input

I was very surprised that my friend Mike Neely says (in “Panhandling: A Give-and-Take,” Oct. 3) that the homeless and panhandlers “have no say” in the Central City Assn.’s Downtown Safe and Clean program.

The association has solicited input from social service providers who serve the homeless community, including Chrysalis, the Coalition to End Homelessness, Justiceville/Homeless USA, the Ketchum Downtown YMCA, the Los Angeles Mission and the Union Rescue Mission. The outreach also included a Sept. 3 telephone conversation with Neely and the Safe and Clean program manager in which Neely was invited to send his recommendation for an appropriate approach from the association. Neely was also present at a Sept. 14 meeting of social service providers. The association’s intention to begin an informational campaign was presented and input was again solicited. Neely did not respond to either request.

I agree that the business community has a responsibility to serve and that’s why the Safe and Clean program is contracting with Chrysalis, Skid Row Development and Union Rescue Mission to employ a homeless and transitional work force to supplement the volunteer efforts.

The association would like to educate the public that not all panhandlers are homeless, just as not all homeless are panhandlers. If you truly want to help an individual, please contribute your time or your money to an organization that can be held accountable.

The Homeless Outreach Program directs those in need to social services on Skid Row. The association applauds their efforts and hopes that that program will work with us toward our shared goal.

DONALD F. McINTYRE

President, CEO

Central City Assn. of Los Angeles

Interview Gets to Real Issues of AIDS

In response to your Voices interview with Dr. Wilbert Jordan of the Oasis Clinic (“Counseling as a Vaccine for AIDS,” Oct. 10):

Kudos to Dr. Jordan and writer David Dorion. It’s nice to see they are getting to the real issues of AIDS.

MARK YURKOVICH

Hollywood