LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Ysabel Jurado today announced the launch of the LOVE Team – Leading Outreach with Valued Engagement – a dedicated homeless engagement team serving Council District 14 in partnership with Urban Alchemy.
Photos and b-roll of the announcement here.
Funded through discretionary funds from the Councilmember’s office, the LOVE Team expands CD14’s capacity for proactive, relationship-based outreach rooted in dignity, equity, and care.
The LOVE Team will be on the ground every day across CD14, meeting people where they are and building trust through consistent, compassionate engagement. By focusing exclusively on CD14, the team ensures faster response times, reliable follow-through, and outreach strategies tailored to the needs of each neighborhood.
“Compassionate, people-centered outreach means meeting individual cases, not a ‘one size fits all’ strategy,” said Councilmember Jurado. “The LOVE Team does not wait for a crisis call. They show up every day in our streets and public spaces, building relationships grounded in trust, respect, and dignity. Through consistent follow-up and individualized care, they move quickly to connect our unhoused neighbors to life-saving health care, stable housing, pathways to recovery, and other much-needed services.”
“Our LOVE Team Practitioners will show up every day with lived experience, professional training, and a deep respect for the most vulnerable members of this community,” said Tim Kornegay, Urban Alchemy’s Director of Operations in Los Angeles. “We will work hard to transform lives, de-escalate conflict, build trust, and connect people to the services and support they need. Our goal is to create cleaner, safer streets and a community where everyone feels seen, respected, and valued.”
“We welcome the efforts to heal neighborhoods using methods rooted in love and respect,” said Maria Jimenez-Torres, Executive Director of Plaza de la Raza. “Plaza de la Raza has been a long-time steward of our beloved cultural center in Lincoln Park and remains committed to addressing ongoing safety concerns impacting Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Heights community. We remain firmly committed to efforts ensuring that our park and surrounding neighborhoods are safe and welcoming spaces for all.”
The LOVE Team will:
Conduct daily proactive outreach throughout Council District 14, including El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, and Downtown LA
Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation
Assess individual needs and connect people to health services, housing placements, and supportive services
Offer post-placement follow-up to help people remain housed
Distribute essentials such as hygiene kits, food, tents, and Narcan
By building trust over time, the LOVE Team aims to break the cycle of fragmented, short-term outreach and replace it with consistent, people-centered engagement that delivers real results.
The investment reflects Councilmember Jurado’s commitment to practical solutions that center dignity, improve public health, and make neighborhoods safer for both housed and unhoused residents.