Wednesday, May 14: 6:30-8:30pm
WALK THE TALK Come Together, a community conversation event at the LA Mission.

Presenters include a downtown business owner, a pastor/community activist, a visual artist, and staffers and former staffers from some of Skid Row’s innovative social service programs chosen by former clients for their wisdom and compassion.

Dora Valenciano worked with homeless parolees from the late ‘80’s until her retirement from the Weingart Center in 2013.
Sarah Espinosa of the Downtown Women Center works on job readiness and education, and collaborates with internal and external partners to connect women to further learning and advancement opportunities.
In 1998, Rory White designed, founded and ran (until 2008), the Lamp Art Project for Lamp Community, with the idea that the culture of the people of Skid Row was radically spiritual, intelligent, brave and exquisite.
Stephen “Cue” Jn-Marie is the Pastor of The Row LA, aka The Church Without Walls, in L.A.’s Skid Row. A former Virgin Records recording artist, he is also a community activist addressing homelessness and a member of the Black and Brown Clergy Coalition.
Denise Cornelius is Program Manager for the Women’s Renaissances Program at the Weingart Center Association.
Fernando Fernando opened F. Square Printing on Spring and 5th. F. Square Printing operated under a combined business/community space model, years before these hybrids were popularized. In addition to its printing and copying business, F. Square functioned as an internet café serving up karaoke, performance and visual art as well as meeting site for community political groups. Recently, his rent was doubled, forcing him to close his doors.
At the Weingart Center, Fred Walker is Senior Director of Re-Entry Services, which serves recent parolees, The Veteran Housing Program, Veterans Family Reunification/Rapid Family Re-housing/Veterans Prevention of Homelessness Projects. Fred’s vision is for Skid Row residents to acquire the means to successfully experience the full quality of life.