Regardless of our roles in life, America and all Americans have changed. We have shared great trauma-the life-wrenching wounds of 9/11, the economic havoc of a ferocious bear market, the continued horrors of worldwide terrorism, the tragic reality of war in Iraq, and in Malibu endless land-use battles and tragedy on Pacific Coast Highway.
In this age of universal post-traumatic distress, I believe the antidote for such distress is to hold your friends and family dear, practice the golden rule and continue to work for the projects and causes to which one is dedicated.
I have worked for 10 years on a volunteer basis with the Labor Exchange, a community-based project-a local hiring site for both men and women. Most live below the poverty level. Some have no shelter at night. This center, housed in a trailer, adjacent to Malibu’s courthouses provides a free and valuable service to the community by bringing together laborers who desperately need work and those in need of workers. Often during our Malibu disasters, these workers have been heroic.
Many who come to the center take two-hour bus rides to arrive before 8 a.m. in order to enter the work lottery. The center serves all who are in search of honest work to provide a better future for themselves and their families.
The Labor Exchange depends on grants and community donations to keep its doors open. Our community and churches have responded. Our workers come to Malibu for much needed work. Both men and women are available Monday through Saturday, 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. At other times works are available by appointment. Call Oscar at 317.4717 during office hours.
In spite of our trying times, I still believe in humanity-both the humanity of the poor and the humanity of those more fortunate. Please join me in providing work for the very needy and by making a year-end tax-deductible contribution of whatever amount to help the working poor in your own backyard. Donations may be made and sent to the: MCLE, P.O. Box 2273, Malibu, CA 90265.
Mona Loo, Executive Director
Malibu Community Labor Exchange, Inc.