By Jenna Jarrah
Hope the Mission, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce poverty, hunger, and homelessness, recently brought communities together across Los Angeles in partnership with Mayor Karen Bass’ Shine LA initiative to beautify, clean, and improve neighborhoods across the city.
Shine LA is a community-driven program launched by Bass to strengthen neighborhoods ahead of global events that the city will host, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2027 Superbowl, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Since its inception in April 2025, Shine LA has conducted 10 events which take place every fourth Saturday of each month across neighborhoods in LA. More than 2,000 volunteers have completed community service in more than 30 neighborhoods.
Saturday’s event at Hansen Dam in San Fernando Valley brought Angelenos together with the common purpose of enhancing and beautifying neighborhoods to ensure that Los Angeles shines on the world stage. Hansen Dam will serve as an official LA World Cup Fan Zone — open-air public spaces that feature large viewing screens where fans can watch the live broadcast of World Cup matches.
Saturday’s event kicked off with a morning community run, followed by a neighborhood cleanup, and ended with a block party and resource fair that offered information on social services like housing, food aid, health services, and financial support.
“In partnership with Hope the Mission, Shine LA brought hundreds of volunteers together to get the Hansen Dam ready to welcome Angelenos for the duration of the World Cup,” Bass said. “From a park clean-up, community run, block party to making 10,000 meals for Hope the Mission residents, we are celebrating the best of Los Angeles.”
Mayor Karen Bass speaks to attendees during the Shine LA community day event at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Volunteer Jame Tabor sweeps a sidewalk near the Hansen Dam Recreation Center during the Shine LA community day event in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. The event is hosted by Hope the Mission. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
A volunteer deposits a piece of litter into a trash can during a cleanup at the Shine LA community day event at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. The event is hosted by Hope the Mission. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Joggers warm up ahead of the Shine LA 5K run near the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
A group of joggers set off at the start of the Shine LA 5K run near the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles, speaks to attendees during the Shine LA community day event at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Damian Dominguez, Jonah Garza and Louis Aguilar, left to right, eighth-grade students at Sun Valley Magnet School, pick up litter during the Shine LA community day event at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Show Caption
1 of 7
Mayor Karen Bass speaks to attendees during the Shine LA community day event at the Hansen Dam Recreation Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)
Later in the afternoon, Backbeat BBQ and Hope the Mission’s kitchen team smoked over 10,000 servings of barbecued meat for the residents of Hope the Mission’s 33 shelters.
“We’re especially grateful to Backbeat BBQ for being here to make incredible barbecue that we get to serve to folks in our shelters. Acts like this make a real difference. The Shine LA initiative demonstrates what makes this city such a special place. When moments of need arise, we show up for one another. This is what community-driven compassion looks like in action,” said Rowan Vansleve, president of Hope the Mission.
Chantel Lopez, the community and government affairs manager at Hope the Mission, was a single mother with two daughters when she was experiencing homelessness. She first received immediate assistance for shelter from Hope, was then supported through transition into permanent housing, and now has a full-time role with the organization. She has been working with Hope for over 5 years.
She said, “the impact of this event is that Angelenos came together to become united and strong. Here at Hope, we treat everyone with love, dignity, and respect. If a constituent is seeking housing, Hope will greet them, and let them in.”
Communities with Hope the Mission facilities include Antelope Valley, Bakersfield, Lancaster, MacArthur Park, North Hollywood, Northridge, Oildale, Pacoima, Reseda, Tarzana, Thousand Oaks, Van Nuys, West San Fernando Valley, Westlake, Westwood and Woodland Hills.
Marnie De La Cruz, director of access and engagement at Hope the Mission, had experienced homelessness. “Because of programs like Hope, my homelessness was an experience instead of a lifelong sentence,” she said.
De La Cruz said, “It’s not a one day event, it’s about building momentum, and showing what’s possible when we come together and take ownership of our communities.”
According to the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority, homelessness in the City of Los Angeles was recorded at 43,699 people in 2025.
Vansleve noted that, “Shine LA represents what’s possible when a city comes together with purpose. We’re thrilled that we were able to work with the mayor’s office so together we can remind our neighbors experiencing homelessness that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.”
The next Shine LA event is taking place on Feburary 28 at locations across the city. For more information: https://mayor.lacity.gov/ShineLA