Senator Portantino Honors SELAH as District Non-Profit of the Year for its Dedication to Important Homeless Services
For Immediate Release: June 8, 2023
Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400
Senator Portantino Honors SELAH as District Non-Profit of the Year for its Dedication to Important Homeless Services
Sacramento, California – This week Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank) nominated SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition as the Non-Profit of the Year for the 25th State Senate District. Transitional Executive Director Justin Szlasa and Co-Founder Janet Kim flew to Sacramento to attend the award luncheon and proudly represent the organization.
“I am proud to honor SELAH for their dedication, compassion, and relationship-driven support of the homeless community,” stated Senator Portantino. “They have effectively mobilized volunteers to host weekly programs, serve hot meals, educate the community, build bridges with other organizations, and much more. This is a well-deserving organization and I am proud to have them in my district.”
Founded in 2017, SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition is a 501(c)(3) neighborhood driven movement responding to homelessness in a proactive, compassionate and effective way. Their mission is to ensure that unhoused neighbors have access to as much community support as possible. SELAH accomplishes this through material aid, connection to existing services and advocacy.
“We are honored to be recognized by Senator Portantino for the service of our hundreds of volunteers and the vision of our Board of Directors,” stated Justin Szlasa, Transitional Executive Director of SELAH. “SELAH builds relationships and advocates for our unhoused neighbors on a street, encampment and individual basis in Silver Lake, Echo Park, Los Feliz, Atwater Village and Hollywood. This recognition serves as a testament to the work that we’ve done, but, more importantly, as motivation to continue our mission: engaging our housed and unhoused neighbors to build understanding and community.”
Each year, the California State Legislature celebrates Nonprofits Day in conjunction with the California Association of Nonprofits. Deserving nonprofits receive special public recognition during a ceremony in the State Capitol where they are honored for their exemplary community service.
“Our unhoused population needs and deserves services and care. I am proud of the hundreds of neighbors who come together to volunteer to help SELAH provide that necessary care; none of whom do it for recognition. That’s why we are grateful to Senator Portantino for appreciating this great group of people being outstanding and caring neighbors,” concluded SELAH Co-Founder Janet Kim.
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