He walks the walk. Some just talk. That is called “talk the talk.” Chaplain Steve Weller, Pastor Steve Weller or just plain Steve … it’s all the same bundle of energy. He is the man who stands straight, moves fast, and wastes no words to help the homeless get off the street.

People in the Triangle, the area west of Lincoln and south of Washington complained about the bus stop being occupied by homeless. Steve stopped by Friday morning accompanied by Officer Peter Abskharon and Senior Lead Officer Gregg Jacobus of the LAPD Homeless Task Force on their way to Westchester. Steve did not know of complaints.

As a result of the quick stop, Chaplain Weller is getting three off the bus stop into shelters/housing. One or two of those he will be taking to VA.

Steve is an official LAPD chaplain and works with the police in a homeless task force directed to helping those who are homeless. His wife Regina carries the same credentials in both the church and with the LAPD. They are a team.

They use to help the homeless out of their own pocket. That was up until this year. This year, according to Steve, Mark Ryavec’s Venice Stakeholders Association has stepped up to help. Steve says “Venice Stakeholders has been helping out by paying the bus fares for the return home to their families of origin and some initial housing entrance fees.”

Chaplain Steve Weller and his wife Chaplain Regina Weller have gotten 70 off the streets since January. Many were female. They deal mainly in Venice. In addition to helping the homeless, Chaplain Steve is pastor of Venice Foursquare Church, 1400 Riviera Ave, Venice.

“They must want assistance,” he said. “If they do, we can help.”
If he finds someone willing to get off the street, he will help him. He will give him a ticket home with meals. But this recipient must be willing to go and must have someone on the other end willing to take him in. If one is ready to go to rehab, he will assist. If one is ready for shelter, he will help.

He is Venice’s Action Hero.