How does a charity run by a conservative Christian thrive in progressive Los Angeles? Matthew Barnett, the founder of LA Dream Center, is here today to talk about how we can effectively serve those who are drug addicted, those in poverty, and how we balance compassion and grace with truth telling and accountability.
00:06:31.880When people come into rehab, the first question we ask them is, what is your dream?
00:06:36.400And it freaks them out because they're just trying to survive one more night.
00:06:39.780But the Bible says that when there's no revelation, people cast off restraint, which means there's no reason to have self-control if there's nothing great to live for.
00:06:49.080And so by giving them a dream, then we work through the core issues that are blocking them from getting to the dream.
00:06:54.040So we try to shine a big spotlight of hope right in the beginning in order that they might have something to go for and attain to in the future.
00:07:01.220Wow. What have you learned about homelessness during these 30 years?
00:07:07.200What do you think a lot of people just don't understand about it?
00:07:10.500Every testimony we have at church, we have a four-minute testimony, every church service, from somebody whose life has been transformed, the Dream Center.
00:07:17.160Ninety percent of every testimony says, my parents went through a divorce or there's some family breakdown.
00:07:24.480And that became the traumatizing event that put them in that situation.
00:07:27.940I do also think the culture of drugs and just the openness to everything has created a culture where people just think it's friendly to become addicted to drugs and then it starts a downward cycle of homelessness and things along those lines.
00:07:42.120But the breakdown of the family always seems to be the core issue when people are talking about a traumatic event that sent them into a situation or a negative spiral.
00:07:50.900Hmm. And I think there's just there's so much conversation today about homelessness because it's become a very politically charged discussion and debate about what can be done policy wise to help this issue.
00:08:07.220And it doesn't really seem like in most cities, including in Los Angeles, that we're going in the right direction.
00:08:13.720And I know that you're not on the public policy side of things, but you've obviously seen this city change.
00:08:50.380It would almost be better if you gave everyone ten thousand dollars to rebuild their life who went through a one year structured faith based type of program.
00:08:57.920It would save us way more money than we're spending right now.
00:09:00.680I mean, you know, but there's just no incentive to change.
00:09:04.240There's no incentive for people to want to go forward.
00:09:07.040We're trying to legislate something that is dealing with the heart.
00:09:10.440And when you're dealing with homeless people, you've got to have a lot of encounters with people before they're ready to make that change in their life.
00:09:49.120There's something there's deep rooted issues that are there that no matter how nice you build a facility, they're going to empty out of it.
00:09:55.480And they're going to be back on the streets because that mindset is brokenness.
00:10:01.500It's and so, you know, I think to provide incentives for programs that are really doing things and really support people who are already doing it.
00:12:10.380And then you get down to the fact where, you know, a lot of the transgender issues are you, you know, you can't claim your moral stand on what you want your program to be, you know?
00:12:20.960And so because it's Christian, they want you to affirm all these other things.
00:12:24.260They want you to affirm these other things.
00:12:25.620And when it gets down to it, they love what you do, you know, they'll sing your praises to the moon, but they just won't get around to supporting exactly what you do until you fulfill that political agenda.
00:12:36.840And it's really a shame because there's so many lives that could be changed, you know, through the system.
00:12:40.820And so it's just always that sense of political ideology, not what works, is going to drive a lot of the policy.
00:13:09.600You know, if something works, we'll piece it together.
00:13:12.340If it doesn't work, we've turned down millions and millions and millions of dollars just to stay true to the fact that the gospel changes people's lives and never compromise.
00:13:22.840And there have been $10 million to $15 million grants where we had to affirm many of the things.
00:13:27.660But we turn them down because, you know, the only thing that sustains our community is the power of the Word of God changing people's lives every single day.
00:13:36.600So it's been a tough road because what happens is organizations that start off and they're in the Word and they love God and they're preaching the Word.
00:13:44.840Over time, they get desperate and they start compromising and then they become a watered-down version of really what made them who they are.
00:13:52.440And that is, you know, people who really trust in God from their core.
00:13:56.440So you're saying that you would get offered this government money, but they would have strings attached, which said,
00:14:02.600we'll give you this money to help people rehabilitate or to get fed, but you have to affirm this about LGBTQ or maybe about abortion or whatever.
00:14:18.540You know, families that live together, that aren't married, we'll work with them, but we'll work with them within the system that works for us, you know.
00:14:25.660And a lot of those types of issues that stand against every kind of the moral ground, you know, like trans men going to the program.
00:14:34.240So it's definitely an uphill battle because you would think that there would be somewhere in that we'll say,
00:14:40.320okay, well, this is kind of our ideology, but this works.
00:14:43.640Let's, you know, that's a pocket of people that are being helped.
00:14:46.520Let's creatively think about, you know, resourcing that and this and then.
00:14:50.020But we've just decided that we're just going to go all in on God, all in on the fact that God loves the people that we're trying to serve more than we do.
00:14:59.200And his word talks about, you know, he who gives to the poor lends to God, he will repay.
00:15:04.420Like we're backed up by a lot of scripture.
00:15:06.840It's been scary at times and it's been rewarding at times.
00:15:10.960But the fact is this, we just believe that when there's a need, we step out and we go and we figure it out along the way.
00:15:17.800And I don't think they'll ever understand that mindset that says, you know, when the fires broke out,
00:15:23.280the Dream Center became one of the great phenomenons in America.
00:15:25.60019,000 cars that showed up through the food line.
00:17:09.840We just like, you know, 15 minutes away from Altadena we are and and the school, one of the charter schools that the Aveson Elementary, they their school burned down the fire.
00:17:20.760And it's a charter school that doesn't do homework because they believe that family should spend time with their kids.
00:17:25.040So all of the, you know, the Chromebooks were in in the school.
00:17:29.540So we adopted the whole school and just began to go for it.
00:17:33.240And and it was just amazing how God just when you go and you have no plan, but you just do what you can with what you have.
00:17:41.920That's always been the story of the Dream Center.
00:17:43.900That's always been the story of where the miraculous breaks out.
00:17:47.000And even today, you know, we'll have 850 families show up to get food and just walk through the line.
00:17:53.740And it's kind of become because of that's become Joseph's storehouse for this next event that's happened and all these things that are happening.
00:18:01.120So we just believe that you earn the right to be heard and and by serving.
00:18:08.140And our motto is outlast everything, outlast liquor stores, outlast the pimps, you know, outlast the drug dealers.
00:18:14.580And 70 percent of my staff are graduates of rehab.
00:18:59.700They're postnatal, they're magnesium, they're omega-3s, they're iron supplement, which has been super effective for me and helpful for my energy levels.
00:19:08.100I just added in their wholesome balance, which is really good for balancing hormones.
00:19:12.600If you're pregnant, you're struggling with morning sickness or if you're postpartum, trying to rebalance your hormones or if you struggle with PMS symptoms, you need this wholesome balance supplement.
00:19:21.820It's got clinically backed ingredients like curcumin and turmeric and key B vitamins to help you feel your best and balance those hormones that might be causing irritability and things like nausea.
00:20:30.340I was just driving around and they said only essential workers can come and be involved with whatever they need to do.
00:20:38.300And I thought to myself, and I did the calculation recently, we've given probably about $1.2 billion of aid to the community over the years.
00:20:46.620And so I just kind of deemed myself to be essential worker.
00:20:49.620I knighted myself, you know, you are an essential worker.
00:21:11.940And even some of the same politicians that told you not to do it, they were like, I think I need to go down and get a photo op there or something, you know.
00:22:03.800Wait, the social workers were not allowed to check up on the children that were supposed to be in their charge because of COVID policy in California.
00:22:32.080We saw a lot of pedophiles in the community that were taking advantage of them being home every single day.
00:22:40.520We saw food programs that were shut down to help the kids in the school system.
00:22:44.080And so we had to provide all of our food trucks that were going out in there.
00:22:48.080You just saw, and I think that was one of my greatest frustrations, someone who advocates for the poor and the hurting.
00:22:54.040So many families who were able to adapt and get tutors and get private lessons and things like that were able to kind of navigate the storm.
00:23:14.860And here's the thing that bothered me the most during COVID, that a lot of promises were made that I think LA sometimes thinks that just because a governor says something, it's done.
00:23:26.100Like, every kid's going to have a laptop in the school system.
00:23:28.820Well, the kids who came to us, none of them had them.
00:23:44.180So there's a whole, like, issue of perception and projection that doesn't fit the reality of oftentimes what is really happening or being provided for the people.
00:23:53.620So many policies, COVID policies, law enforcement policies, drug policies in the state of California are done in the name of compassion.
00:24:03.240They say that they are the ones that are actually helping the marginalized and the truly vulnerable, the ones that you're serving.
00:24:10.620But what have you seen the effect of, for example, law enforcement policy in LA?
00:24:18.300What outcomes have you seen over the past 30 years?
00:24:22.720Well, first of all, I think one of the most discouraging statements ever made by our governor is when he said it's irresponsible or reckless to think that somebody can truly live sober.
00:24:32.100When that comment was made, it's somewhere close to that.
00:25:30.480We need something positive in this community, you know, help people.
00:25:33.800And they were there with us every day protecting us.
00:25:36.140So I think there is this like almost like kind of like the last line of defense is really a lot of our law enforcement who's navigating a lot of this messaging, especially during COVID, and say, no, we don't want to do this.
00:25:48.660We don't want to lock up somebody for this reason.
00:25:50.920So there's a lot of people that understand that good needs to prevail in the community.
00:25:55.660And they really backed us up during that time and just, you know, they did flyovers like weekly with helicopters, LEP, thanking the Dream Center for what we did to keep the morale high.
00:26:06.440And so I think there is just this sense of like what is said.
00:26:11.080And yet the police department that really wants to advocate and work with people.
00:26:21.920He said in 2020, quote, clean and sober is the biggest damn mistake this country ever made in reference to shelter policies requiring sobriety for homeless individuals to access services.
00:26:35.980That is a total slap in the face because the people that come into our program, they want to change.
00:26:41.160I mean, they literally want to change.
00:26:43.100And they have a sliver of confidence that they can, and our job is to try to increase that and give them the reward of staying one more day.
00:26:51.200But that comment was simply kind of like the cultural feeling over the last five years.
00:27:11.860I believe you have to be revolutionary.
00:27:13.880You have to show them something they've never seen before.
00:27:16.220You have to show them smiles that they've never seen.
00:27:19.460I don't believe the theory that you have to be from the neighborhood to reach people in the neighborhood.
00:27:23.080I believe you just have to outlast things in the community, and you have to be a fixture and stay and fight, and that's where you get your street credit.
00:27:32.320And so that's really kind of that mentality.
00:27:36.600We have gang members protecting our building.
00:27:38.200They don't tag our building because we feed their parents every single day.
00:27:42.560We've got guys in the community playing basketball leagues, and we pray before every single game, and they don't fight.
00:27:47.880Or if they do, they'll get it right the next time.
00:27:52.100But it's just one of those things where the Spirit of the Lord just kind of rests in a very strong way.
00:27:59.000And not a weird, supernatural, spooky, but there's just a prevailing layer of just God's presence.
00:28:05.300And so it's kind of that mindset that we're fighting against, that those who want to do right, those who want to help you, they're almost the enemy.
00:28:15.580But you fight the good fight of faith, and that's what Paul told Timothy.
00:28:19.420Fight for things that pertain to the faith.
00:30:36.160So it's just constant battle because we're dealing with people with such foundational brokenness that you have to give them something powerful to live for.
00:30:44.120And then you have to constantly pick them back up.
00:30:47.160Let them know, you know, two steps forward, one step back, but you're still gaining ground.
00:30:51.080You're getting closer to what God has for you.
00:30:53.200So there's a lot of encouragement and yet holding the line at the same time that goes on.
00:48:05.500They live in different cities across the country.
00:48:07.380And they're like, what is the first thing I should do to make sure I am effectively serving the vulnerable in my community?
00:48:14.560I think the most important thing is to find the passion, the thing that you love most, the people that are hurting the most, and just start putting yourself in uncomfortable positions.
00:48:27.160Like, maybe you partner with somebody who goes to places that you have a heart for.
00:48:32.420And just start having one-on-one encounters with people.
00:48:35.000And overcome that barrier in your mindset that says, I'm not qualified.
00:49:01.840But if you have a passion for something, either partner with someone or get yourself a little group together and just go out and take on those areas.