2024 Gala Tribute Book

THE PEOPLE CONCERN’S ANNUAL GALA

A LETTER FROM CEO JOHN MACERI

Dear Friends and Supporters,

My heart is full of gratitude and pride for the extraordinary progress we have made together at The People Concern. This year has been a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to compassion and transformative action.

We achieved a significant milestone this year: we welcomed a record-breaking 1,691 people into permanent housing. Some of

our Permanent Supportive Housing clients, supported by our organization, took their stories to Sacramento, advocating for policy changes to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness. Witnessing their advocacy served as a reflection of their personal achievements and our desire to center lived experience in our work to drive systemic change.

We also celebrated the Open House of our Kensington Campus. After initially opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were finally able to hold a proper inauguration. The event was a vibrant celebration that drew together the community, including our residents, our staff, and local leaders from the Antelope Valley. The Kensington Campus is more than a set of buildings; it is a thriving therapeutic community that embodies the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose, reflecting our commitment to providing a stable and supportive home environment. We look forward to doing more of these community gatherings in the year ahead.

I am profoundly thankful to you, our supporters, for your generous and consistent support. It is your commitment to our work and your ongoing engagement that empower us to keep striving forward.

To our incredible staff, your commitment is the cornerstone of our achievements. Every day, you make a significant difference in the lives of many, and we are immensely grateful for that.

Most importantly, to our clients, thank you for trusting us and letting us be part of your journey. Your courage and determination inspire us all and motivate us to advocate more fiercely for justice and equity in our community.

Looking forward, I am optimistic about the future we are building together. The road may be long, but it is filled with kindness, justice, and a strong commitment to ensure that indeed, all roads lead to home. Thank you for being part of this essential journey. Together, we are creating a legacy that will resonate for generations.

In solidarity and gratitude,

John Maceri CEO, The

People Concern

OUR HONOREE:

Steven M. Hilton

Director Emeritus of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was established by Steven M. Hilton’s grandfather in 1944 with a mandate to relieve the suffering, the distressed and the destitute. Steven M. Hilton’s journey into the field of philanthropy started in 1983 in an entry level position as a Program Assistant at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Gradually over the years he was promoted to various positions: first to Program Associate, then Vice President - Programs, ultimately serving as Chairman, President & CEO. Upon his retirement as Chairman in 2020 after 37 years at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Board honored him with the title of Director Emeritus. Currently Steven M. Hilton serves as a Juror for the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize – the largest humanitarian award in the world.

In 1989, the Board of Directors of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation tasked its then Vice President - Programs, Steven M. Hilton, with developing a response to homelessness. He took up the cause and became its passionate advocate. Initially the Foundation supported programs in several cities across the country, including Los Angeles and New York, and partnered in the creation of the national network of funders now known as Funders Together to End Homelessness. In 2004 the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation decided to concentrate its efforts on Los Angeles County with a large grant to the Corporation for Supportive Housing focused on the individuals experiencing homelessness with mental health conditions. Currently, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is the largest private contributor to the homelessness issue in Los Angeles, having awarded $37 million in 2023 alone.

1,691

new clients permanently housed

1,011

636

clients served by our money management program

5,618 clients served by our mental health department

clients served by outreach teams

IN REVIEW

2,963

7,798

1,169

5,403 participants in life skills activities clients served by interim housing bags of Narcan distrubuted domestic violence hotline calls

A MESSAGE FROM SARAH KNAUER

Board Chair, The People Concern

Dear People Concern Family,

I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the board at such a pivotal moment of our journey to end homelessness. In the past year, we’ve worked with countless partners to reach more people still living on the street, provide more mental health support, and bring more people indoors. We’ve expanded our outreach teams, strengthened our relationships with key housing developers, and grown to nearly 40 permanent supportive housing sites across the county.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has made The People Concern what it is today. We cannot forget the work that was done by all those involved in the more than 60 year history of this agency.

Tonight’s honoree, Steven M. Hilton, has consistently proven his commitment to ending the homelessness crisis, through his work with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and their generous giving.

The only way that we can end homelessness in Los Angeles County is by creating more affordable housing paired with wraparound services. The People Concern is a leader in not just creating housing, but keeping those we serve housed. 92% of people housed with the support of The People Concern never experience homelessness again.

With your philanthropic support, we continue to innovate and grow; we are experts in our field, combining a housing first approach with trauma-informed care and harm reduction. Our approach has inspired new standards of care, spawned multiple pilot programs, and changed how many view our work and our community members experiencing homelessness.

With the help of our dedicated development partners, philanthropists, government stakeholders, hardworking staff, and people like you, we can bring every one of our unhoused neighbors indoors. We are truly forging a path to a future where all Angelenos are housed, healthy and safe.

With gratitude, Sarah Knauer Board Chair, The People Concern

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rae W. Archibald

Jeremy Barber

Jonathan M. Brenner, Esq.

Greg Devine

Gary Foster

Greg Germann

Julie Guest

Stephen Gunther

Sarah Jessup

Laura Kaiser

Sarah Knauer

Mary Clare Lingel

Aaron Mitchell

S Barrett Meister

Michael Parks

Gary A. Richwald, MD, MPH

Stephanie Suganami

Michele Ware

Bart F. Zitnitsky

MEET BILL WILLIAMS

Original Member of “The Lockers”

Current Resident at Santos Plaza

Bill “Slim the Robot” Williams is renowned as a trailblazer in street dancing and one of the original creators of the iconic dance move, “The Robot.” His dance career began in the vibrant clubs of Los Angeles, where he competed in dance competitions and jumped to national prominence with television performances on shows like “Soul Train” and “Saturday Night Live.”

However, Bill’s life took a turn following a series of family losses that left him in deep depression and led to homelessness. During this challenging time, he received crucial support from various organizations, including LAMP, which would later merge with OPCC to become The People Concern. Through their assistance, Bill found a new home at Santos Plaza.

At Santos Plaza, Bill’s resilience and spirit have made him a beloved member of the community. He actively participates in organizing local events and has forged strong bonds with both staff and residents. Bill also discovered a passion for mechanics and plans to launch a workshop to teach repair skills to other residents, fostering a spirit of self-reliance and community engagement.

Bill’s journey from the dance floor to Santos Plaza is one of hardwork, resilience and growth. His story reminds us all that homelessness can touch anyone, and it highlights the importance of community solidarity in ensuring that all our neighbors have the opportunity to be housed, healthy and safe.

MEET KAOKO

Pianist

Kaoko’s musical journey began when she first sat before a piano at the young age of five. Her natural affinity for music was evident as she progressed and mastered complex symphonies with remarkable ease. This early promise was nurtured by her dedication to practice, often devoting hours to perfect her craft.

Her search for a practice venue led her to an unexpected location in Skid Row: our very own music studio, part of The People Concern’s Arts Program. Here, Kaoko found more than a place to play, she found a community that believes in the power of the arts as a critical element of holistic support. For over a decade, she has utilized this space, offered free of charge—a rare gem in Los Angeles—for her weekly practice sessions.

Kaoko draws inspiration from Beethoven, her favorite composer. Her artistic expression extends beyond the piano; she also writes and illustrates poetry that echoes the emotional depth of Beethoven’s symphonies. Committed to her art, she spends at least four hours each week at the piano, finding in its keys a profound sense of relaxation and self-expression. The gentle strains of her music resonate throughout The Village, home to the music studio, bringing a sense of peace and inspiration to the community.

Kaoko’s performance is a celebration of resilience and dedication.

A SPECIAL THANKS

Headlining

The Montgomery Family

Housed

Global Vision Security

Chris & Dick Newman and Family

Healthy

Barbara and Rae Archibald

Lisa and Gary Foster

Tom Gordon

Julie Guest and Spencer White

Stephen Gunther and Linda Essakow

Lisa and Steven M. Hilton

Sarah Jessup

Sarah Knauer

Paula and Barry Litt

Michael Parks and Judith Hayward

Gary Richwald, MD, MPH and Sue Bayley

Nigel and Pat Sinclair and Rebecca Rothstein

Tracy and Bart Zitnitsky

TO OUR SPONSORS

Safe

Amazon Studios

Daniel and Diana Attias

Bardovi Architects

Sharon and George Browning

Century Housing

Coldplay

The Dreyfuss Family

Fletcher Family Foundation

Susan Grant and IMS

Kawada Company of America LTD

L.A. Care

John Maceri

Aaron Mitchell

Nitech

Specialty Family Foundation

United Talent Agency

Michele Ware

Congratulations to Steve Hilton for this well deserved honor! Thank you for your incredible support of The People Concern.

Lisa and Gary Foster

El Nuevo Amencer

Greatness is reflected through your inspiration, action, kindness and generosity

Cedars-Sinai proudly joins The People Concern in honoring Steven M. Hilton

Kensington Campus

Congratulations, Steve!

We honor your decades-long, passionate and steadfast advocacy for the unhoused.

The words of Winston Churchill come to mind:

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” Love, Charlotte and Jeremy

BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE HOUSED, HEALTHY AND SAFE.