The COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT (CAD) is the benevolent social services and community liaison of
the church operating through the West Angeles Community Development Corporation. Contained within the CAD
is the Emergency Services Department that addresses those in distress or duress. Our function is to work
with both the membership of West Angeles COGIC and the community at large. The CAD works with both private
and public financial institutions; along with state and community organizations to in a collaborative native
develop a connective continuum of care for those with need.
The Emergency Services Assistance is by far the most used piece of the CAD. We assist either directly or
indirectly (through referrals) approximately 12,000 individuals each year. Though our scope of service is
set in five distinct areas (rent/mortgage, utilities, emergency travel, department of motor vehicles, and
transportation) we make a heartfelt attempt to assist all who call.
We currently assist by providing:
Shelter placement/referrals-
The CAD, though not in operation of any shelters, works along with those
seeking emergency shelter by: assisting in the location of shelters, providing appropriate shelter referrals, while,
attempting to help those in need navigate toward more permanent housing and self sufficiency.
Referral Listing to Housing-
Homes, Apartments, and Rooms- We provide listings from internet sites and housing
agencies to assist those seeking regular, subsidized (Section 8) and low income housing. We do not have any
connection with the Section 8 process. We work along with the West Angeles Housing Department to direct those
seeking housing.
Emergency Food-
We provide emergency food to individuals and families once every six months, or sooner if
extreme circumstances dictate otherwise. The emergency food is of a non-perishable (can good items) nature.
Transportation Assistance-Tokens-
Tokens are provided to assist individuals in transportation in these
areas: shelter, medical, job search, non-medical emergencies, and case management services. Periodically
taxi vouchers are given to assist our senior population and those traveling to emergency shelter.
Emergency Financial Assistance-
We provide light emergency financial assistance as we have funds available
to assist. We are not a fiduciary agency (Bank, Savings & Loan, and or Credit Union) and are unable to act
as a lending institution. Our goal in financial assistance is not to assume the individuals full
responsibility, but to provide assistance that work alongside the individuals in need.
Referrals to Transitional Living and Substance Abuse Programs-
We work to assist those with referrals
in need of Transitional Living and Substance Abuse Programs. These programs are designed to provide a
structured environment conducive to the total recovery of those with such addictions.
Job Referral & Placement Information -
Although the CAD is not set up as a employment agency we
provide information to assist individuals seeking permanent, temporary, and day labor. We refer
individuals to various places such as: One Stops, Temporary Agencies, and agencies that assist in the
development of skills that better qualify them for consistent work.
Hosting of Other Programs-
The CAD serves as a host site for many other community agencies to operate
their programs through our services such as: Energy Assistance Programs, Project Angel (DWP), Healthy SHARE, "Feed
the Children".
Referrals to Other Agencies-
Although we receive calls for many things that we do not handle, we make the
heartfelt attempt to connect people with positive referrals.
Contact the Community Assistance Department at
(323) 733-8300 ext. 2370/2272 or email info@westangelescdc.org
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