Center Reopens After Getting Free Repairs

An organization that provides a range of services to low-income families in the San Fernando Valley reopened its Pacoima headquarters Thursday after a development company repaired the quake-damaged facility free of charge.

Los Angeles-based Kaufman and Broad Home Corp. made about $220,000 worth of quake repairs to damaged walls and windows at the M.E.N.D. Center (Meet Each Need With Dignity).

At a news conference at the center, Los Angeles Councilman Richard Alarcon, a former M.E.N.D. member and president, praised the development firm for its help.

“When Kaufman and Broad approached me and offered to assist in the aftermath of the earthquake, I could think of no better organization to receive assistance,” Alarcon said. “I know that the services M.E.N.D. provides are critical to the community.”

M.E.N.D. is a nonprofit organization with over 500 volunteers, including doctors, dentists, teachers and others. The group provides food, clothes, furniture, health care and literacy training to thousands of low-income Valley families.

In the days after the quake, M.E.N.D. volunteers, working out of a tent, distributed food, water and diapers to quake victims living in parks.