The Pastor/Chaplain team of Regina and Steve Weller placed eight homeless people last week in homes. The Chaplains are part of the LAPD Homeless Task Force. They are placing homeless where they can get services with continuous guidance. Hopefully, these homeless will become productive individuals and never live on the street again.

The couple has been able to step up their placements as a result of a substantial sum from Tami Pardee of Pardee Properties.

LAPD Task Force Chaplain Regina Weller

Marie
By Regina Weller

On an early morning Homeless Task Force Deployment, Chaplain Steven Weller found an 82-year old woman sleeping in the bushes at the Venice library. Marie awoke to the Chaplain’s greeting, but voiced her dismay about awakening every morning to the smell of gas fumes from the passing cars. Chaplain Steven offered her a solution to her dilemma and referred Marie to me.

Marie reminisced about her years as a young fashion model and the celebrity parties she attended with Andy Warhol. She said she wanted to document her life story, including her many photos. She also spoke about one of the most painful issues in her life, being estranged from her schizophrenic son. Within two weeks, Marie was convinced to consider housing for safety and rest. Marie was currently receiving monthly social security benefits that would enable her to pay rent. The plan was set to get her some medical attention and then pursue permanent housing. After receiving care at the Rose Clinic, she was ready to relocate. Steve and I and LAPD Officers De La Torre and Jacobus drove her to a potential rental in Long Beach.

Marie immediately felt comfortable with the homeowner. She was shown to her living quarters with a window looking out on beautiful foliage and a kitchen where she could cook. “I think I’m in heaven,” she said. With tears falling on her cheeks, she came out to thank the officers. We unloaded her belongings into her new residence.

A few months later, Marie joyfully informed us that the homeowner had assisted her with locating her son, and that he had decided to move into same neighborhood. Now mother and son spend time together daily. Recently, Marie contacted an Art Gallery in Los Angeles to show her yesteryear photo art of artist Andy Warhol.