| Written by Christine Sabathia, on 01-10-2008 00:57 |
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Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfast and Community Day set for Jan. 19 The 12th Annual Community Day event is set for January 19 at Southwest College, and will begin at 8am with the 8th Annual Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfast. Bishop Edward Turner along with Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca’s Clergy Council will be hosting the day, themed “The Dream Lives On...” in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Community Day, which is a free event open to the public, was established to share with our communities many of the necessities of life that are lacking. It began 12 years ago when Bishop Turner, then homeless with a wife and three children living in a Los Angeles County housing development, was walking to church and saw seven homeless men on the street.
“I offered to buy them food and told them to meet me at the same place the following Sunday,” he recalled. “That next Sunday 25 people showed up, and the gathering has continued to grow through the years.” According to Turner, over 32,000 people were serviced during last year’s Community Day. Cars were given away, as well as clothing and food. Health care services and employment services were also provided. “People can expect the same this year, with the exception of the car give away,” Turner said. “Hopefully one day we’ll be able to give away houses.” Not only will attendees receive job opportunities, but also literacy awareness, youth empowerment, dialogue of change, witnessing and much more. “This event creates a synergy in the community that brings back an element of appreciation, love and respect for humanity,” said the bishop. “That’s what it’s all about, and it’s a wonderful event. “I’m just so happy to be a part of it, I just don’t know what to do with myself.” Turner is equally excited about the morning’s Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfast, which will be held at Southwest College’s Thomas G. Lakin Gymnasium. “Me being a Christian, it’s exciting to hear of a ‘multi-faith’ breakfast,” he commented. “I have a chance to interact with all the various religions, which is so fun and so exciting.” Both the Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfast and Community Day were specifically set on the weekend prior to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, which Turner views not as a day of rest, rather a day of service. He added, “It’s the most powerful weekend that this nation knows because everyone across the country is engaged in an event or activity in remembrance of Dr. King.” The 12th Annual Community Day even will be held at the Los Angeles Southwest College (1600 W. Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, California 90047). Doors open at 8am until 3pm. The 8th Annual Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfast will take place in the Thomas G. Laking Gymnasium, from 8am until 11am. Those wishing to attend must R.S.V.P. For further information, contact Sheliah Ward or April Sutton at (323) 753-4673.
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