WHO: Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton,
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry

WHAT: Grand Opening of Trailer Expansion

WHEN: Friday, February 21, 2003, at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: A Place Called Home
2830 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles

WHY: To Offer At Risk Youth an Option from Gang Violence

Los Angeles: On February 21, 2003, the grand opening of the trailer expansion will take place at A Place Called Home (APCH), a drop-in youth center in South Central Los Angeles. The center is dedicated to providing at risk youth with a secure, positive environment where they can regain hope and belief, earn trust and self respect, and learn life skills to lead to a productive lifestyle free of the gangs, drugs and poverty that surround them.

Chief Bratton, Councilwoman Perry and Newton Area Police Department have all played a vital role in assisting APCH with the huge challenge of growth in times of economic despair and will be recognized at the ceremony along with the founders of the of the expansion project to include local heroes: Hermine Beck, John Coughlin, Perry Foley, Al Stewart, Marshall Wax, The Ahmanson Foundation and the City of Los Angeles.

To the already existing programs at APCH, the expansion will provide space for Gang Prevention and Intervention, Computer Lab, Mentoring Components and Music Hall.

For further information, contact Thyonne Gordon at 323-232-7653, extension 221 or 310-863-4359.

This media advisory was prepared by Public Information Officer Jason Lee, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.