“Everybody in the room has had a lot of loss and sadness and depression in their own ways and the staff are doing the best they can to help every one of us here,” said Mark Scappa, 44, who struggles with homelessness.

A group of men and women find shelter at Hope of the Valley in San Fernando, Calif. (Photo: Karla Henry/El Nuevo Sol)

BY MICHELLE REUTER

EL NUEVO SOL

At Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, the homeless of the San Fernando Valley can find food, shelter and compassion.

The newly opened courtyard facility can house up to 50 people a night, including their pets. Hot showers and clean clothing are also provided for men and women.

The covered courtyard shelter operates every night behind the Mission’s 22,000-square-foot thrift store. The store, located at the corner of Sunland Boulevard and San Fernando Road, generates about 60 percent of the revenue used to run the shelter and other programs.

“People are so kind-hearted, they give us the best of the best,” said program director, John Leeper. “And families can get very, very nice things for themselves and their kids and have dignity without having to spend a lot of money that they might need for food and things like that.”

Behind the courtyard, the shelter provides free parking for homeless clients with cars. Inside, the second floor of the building houses staff offices and a computer training center to help people prepare for and seek employment.

“These are good folks. They help a lot of people out who are going through hardships,” said Mark Scappa, who has been coming to the shelter for about three weeks. The 44-year-old shared some of his struggles with homelessness.

“Everybody in the room has had a lot of loss and sadness and depression in their own ways and the staff are doing the best they can to help every one of us here,” he said.

“I have a passion for helping the homeless because I’ve been homeless,” said Michael Lewis who has worked at the shelter for about three years. Like Lewis, many of the members of the organization are former recipients of the mission’s care and support.

The non-profit organization plans to raise $2 million next year to expand their outreach. They recently opened the John E. White House of Hope to help men transition out of homelessness. The mission is also planning to open The Genesis House for single women and their children, before the end of 2012.

“It’s filling a void,” said Scappa. “Every night that I can just stay here and be safe, I am eternally grateful to these people.”