The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will launch a pilot program of virtual gatherings called “Metro Conversations” on Thursday, November 19, with an online conversation about how Metro engages unhoused riders.
The quarterly series is designed to share and discuss stories with interested members of the public about the agency that they may not have heard about before. Topics will touch on work Metro does to enhance the quality of life in L.A. County.
This first session will take place from noon to 1 p.m. and will feature speakers from Metro’s System Security & Law Enforcement Department and People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), Metro’s homeless outreach partner. Speakers will include:
- Joyce Burrell Garcia, Special Projects Manager, Metro System Security and Law Enforcement Department
- Steve Fiechter, Senior Director, People Assisting the Homeless
- Karen Barnes, Associate Director of Multi-Disciplinary Teams, People Assisting the Homeless
The conversation will be held via Zoom, and online participants will be able to share their thoughts and ideas with panelists following the discussion. Event details are as follows:
Metro Conversations: How We Engage Unhoused Riders
Thursday, Nov. 19
Noon to 1 p.m.
Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/93926601792?pwd=aFUrR3Bndm41Znk3YnM4dGNXYm1IUT09
Passcode: 678898
Join by phone: 888.788.0099, Webinar ID: 939 2660 1792
Metro originally contracted with PATH in 2017 to offer services and housing information to unhoused individuals on the Metro System. These outreach teams are part of Metro’s Homeless Action Plan that includes “County-City-Community” (C3) teams consisting of nurses, substance abuse counselors, mental health clinicians, former homeless individuals and other outreach workers seeking to help homeless people who shelter within Metro’s stations, trains and buses.
Since April 2020, Metro’s new “Shelter the Unsheltered” Program has helped more than 580 people who were sleeping on the Metro system find housing. Participants can learn how this was accomplished as well as hear about other ways the agency strives to help unhoused riders on the Metro system.
All Metro meetings are accessible to persons with disabilities. ADA and Title VI Requirements: Special accommodations are available to the public for Metro-sponsored meetings. All requests for reasonable accommodations and translation must be made at least three working days (72 hours) in advance of the scheduled meeting date; please call 213.326.1787 or California Relay Service at 711.
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is currently providing lifeline service for essential trips and frontline workers. Metro continues building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan.
Metro has proudly pledged to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Health and Safety Commitment Program to help ensure the safe return of transit riders as the U.S. recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.