our history

Travelers Aid services in the United States began in the early 1850’s in St. Louis , Missouri .  Travelers Aid Society of Los Angeles was founded in 1922 and incorporated in 1944.  Teen Canteen , our youth services center, was started in 1983.   

our organizational structure

 A 7-member Board of Directors governs TASLA. Mason Shayan is President; Paul Hollombe , LCSW, BCD is Executive Director. There are 15 employees and 285 volunteers.  Our Agency is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS, and under Section 2370(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code of the State of California .  Your contributions to Travelers Aid Society of Los Angeles are tax-deductible.

our clients

Homeless individuals and families; Individuals and families at risk of becoming homeless; Unemployed; Runaway, Abandoned and Homeless youths; Stranded travelers; Individuals with disabilities; Wandering mentally ill; Homeless youths with AIDS or at risk of HIV infection.

our service locations

TASLAX serves the Airport, West Los Angeles and Beach communities; Teen Canteen serves greater Hollywood ; Adult Services Center at PATH/Regional Homeless Center serves East Hollywood; PATH Westside serves the West Los Angeles ; Union Station serves Downtown Los Angeles.

our services

FOR ADULTS AND YOUTHS—Family reunification; Crisis intervention; Professional case management; Protective travel services; Information and referrals; Mental health referral and outreach services; Food, clothing, shelter, and transportation; HIV health education and risk reduction; ADDITIONAL FOR YOUTHS—Drop-in center; Substance abuse counseling and Drug-free support; Health education; Life skills; Showers and Laundry facility; Medical clinic; Child abuse prevention and intervention; phone, email, and mail availability (all).

our accomplishments (7/2005-6/2006)

Ø          998,063.......... Travelers received 894,489 information and direction contacts

Ø          5,516.............. Drop-in Center (Teen Canteen) service contacts to 269 unduplicated clients

Ø          2,794.............. Intake/Crisis telephone calls (Agency wide)

Ø          1,557.............. Unduplicated clients (Agency wide)

Ø          467................. LAX client service contacts to 377 unduplicated clients

Ø          367................. PATH/Regional Homeless Center client service contacts to 364 unduplicated clients

Ø          166  ................ Greyhound bus tickets assisted 174 people, including 18 children to return home

our community partners

Travelers Aid International, United Way of Greater Los Angeles; Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau; Hollywood Chamber of Commerce; Childrens Hospital Coordinating Council for High-Risk Youth; Hollywood Social Service Consortium; California Coalition for Youth; California Consortium for Prevention of Child Abuse; The National Network of Runaway and Youth Services; Adolescent HIV Consortium; Westchester/LAX Chamber of Commerce, Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership.