PRESS RELEASE

Shelter Time Vs. Jail Time ... Compassion in the Criminal Justice System

March 13, 2007

LOS ANGELES, March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- SOS (Streets or Services), a pioneering collaboration between law enforcement, local government and social service agencies to provide an alternative to jail for homeless individuals cited for quality of life offenses, is beginning to register significant success in the lives of homeless individuals.

Coordinated by PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), SOS offers shelter and services to homeless arrestees who have committed nonviolent misdemeanor crimes. Initiated in 2003 as a pilot project in downtown Los Angeles, the program has placed more than 800 homeless into housing with supportive services rather than being sentenced to jail time. Connecting arrestees with social service programs in lieu of criminal prosecution, SOS provides not only a compassionate response for homeless participants but ends the cycle of citation, arrest, jail time and release to the streets where the cycle repeats itself.

PATH, the lead agency, coordinates the program in partnership with the City Attorney, Los Angeles Police Department as well as with other service providers including the Midnight Mission, The Clare Foundation, Tarzana Treatment Centers, EIMAGO, and Volunteers of America.

"The goal of SOS is to provide services that address the underlying causes that led to the misdemeanor as well as to reduce the number of individuals revolving through the criminal justice system." said Joel Roberts, chief executive officer of PATH, a non-profit community organization founded in 1984 to empower homeless people with the tools for self-sufficiency.

Between November 2003 and December 2006, the SOS program placed approximately 840 homeless into shelter with supportive services. After placement, more than 60% remained housed for 10 days or more.

"SOS is a model partnership between law enforcement and social service providers," said Roberts. "Because of the success we have experienced, we are optimistic SOS will prove to be a very significant tool in the battle to end homelessness."

Founded in 1984, PATH is a non-profit community organization committed to breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing a full range of housing and supportive services that equip individuals with the tools to empower their lives. Each year, PATH serves more than 4,500 homeless men, women, and children from throughout Los Angeles County. PATH is a member of PATH Partners, a family of agencies helping people in need.