Starting at 5 p.m. April 12, members of the Dream Center Los Angeles community will have 24 hours to try to sink one free throw for every homeless person in Los Angeles, or 52,000 free throws, at the nonprofit’s campus.

A local nonprofit aims to make 52,000 free throws in 24 hours. (photo courtesy of the Dream Center of Los Angeles)

“The scale of the problem is huge, and we hope that this event will help people understand really how many people need our help,” said Pastor Matthew Barnett. “Ultimately, the goal is not just to shine a light on these people whom God loves, but to rally our community to provide the support they need [and] to transform lives.”

For nearly 25 years, the Dream Center Los Angeles has worked to address the challenges of the homeless throughout Los Angeles with that type of transformation in mind.

“The Dream Center Los Angeles has always had the goal of getting at the root problem for those we are blessed to serve,” said Pastor Caroline Barnett. “We can only do so much about the high-cost housing and low wages, but we can do a great deal to help with providing temporary release support to those struggling with various forms of trauma and even addiction.”

The Dream Center Los Angeles offers all of their residential and community outreach programs, including various types of counseling, free of charge. In addition to serving the homeless, the community organizations work with veterans, victims of human trafficking and foster youth.

The Dream Center Los Angeles also distributes 500,000 pounds of food each month via 33 local churches, 23 distribution sites and a local community college campus; provides thousands of items of free clothing on the first Thursday of every month; helps keep families together through Foster Care Intervention; and has “adopted” more than 100 blocks throughout Los Angeles with the help of hundreds of volunteers.

The Dream Center is located at 2301 Bellevue Ave. For information or to register, visit dreamshot.org.