Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer recently recognized service providers involved in his office’s homeless services connect days and the homeless citation clinics, which have helped hundreds of homeless individuals settle legal issues, get off the streets and turn their lives around.

“Our homeless citation clinics offer a unique opportunity to break free from what can seem like a hopeless cycle in the court system. We are empowering people to turn their lives around,” Feuer said. “I’m extremely grateful for funding by Los Angeles County and proud of our partnerships with outstanding organizations whose services help our participants back on their feet.”

Originally made possible with a grant from Los Angeles County that funded six homeless citation clinics, the City Attorney’s Office expanded the program over the past year and has held 12 clinics in Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Venice, San Pedro, Sylmar, Long Beach and the Antelope Valley. The homeless citation clinics allow participants to have citations and fines removed from their records in exchange for performing community service and taking advantage of housing and other services.

Approximately 1,350 individuals have attended the clinics and 347 criminal citations have been dismissed. Participants have completed more than 5,638 hours of community service.

More than 100 service providers have helped homeless individuals at the clinics including New Directions, Project 180, Saban Community Clinic, Los Angeles Conservation Corps, Chrysalis, The Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition, the Center in Hollywood, First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the Weingart Center. For information and a schedule, visit www.lacityattorney.org.