Alex Trebek.Photo: Amanda Edwards/Getty
A new center to help combat the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles is set to break ground this spring, thanks in large part to a donation fromAlex Trebekand the lateJeopardy!host’s wife,Jean.
According toTMZ, the rescue mission’s initial funding comes from a $500,000 donation that the Trebeks made, which Hope of the Valley told the outlet helped them raise an additional $2 million for the project from other private donors (e.g., Shepherd Church, Beach Body) and $6 million from the city — the latter courtesy of efforts from Councilman John Lee.
According to TMZ, the new housing facility will break ground on May 15 and open in December, offering residents an array of servicesdesigned to help them get back on their feetand into more permanent housing. These will include substance-abuse counseling, job training and placement and mental-health services.
While the donation was initially intended for a building called the Hope Center, TMZ reports that Hope of the Valley got permission from the Trebeks before Alex’s death to use the money toward The Trebek Center.
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Alex and Jean Trebek in 2019.Michael Kovac/Getty Images
The Trebeks donated $100,000 to the latter facility, which was set to house 25 women, 60 men and their pets temporarily. The A Bridge Home facility was created to help the homeless “become folks who we know are human beings and can feel that humanity again,” Mayor Eric Garcettisaid in a release at the time.
Of the efforts, Alex — who, along with his wife, was a longtime resident of the San Fernando Valley — said in the release at the time, “I’m not one of those people who thinks that we can’t deal with the homeless near my house because that’s bad. I don’t feel that way.”
“I wish more people would react in a positive way to reaching out and trying to help their fellow member of the community,” he added.
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Alex wascommitted to giving backduring his life and developed relationships with various charities and causes, including supporting a nonprofit to help keep his favorite animal species, the musk ox, alive.
Jeopardy!and Alex’s family have also donated more than a dozen of the longtime game show host’s signature suits toThe Doe Fund, an organization that provides paid work, housing, vocational training, continuing education and social services to underserved Americans with histories of addiction, homelessness and incarceration.
In addition to 14 suits, the recent donation includes 58 dress shirts, 300 neckties, 25 polo shirts, 14 sweaters, nine sports coats, nine pairs of dress shoes, 15 belts, two parkas and three pairs of dress slacks, according to a February release.
“During his last day on set, Alex extolled the virtues of everyone opening up their hands and their hearts to those who are suffering,” saidJeopardy!executive producer Mike Richards. “Donatinghis wardrobe to those who are workingto rebuild their lives is the perfect way to begin to honor that last request.”
source: people.com
