People In Progress has a fifth facility in the Los Angeles on Mariposa Avenue just off Wilshire Blvd. aptly named theMARIPOSA.  theMARIPOSA is a sober living environment in a 4 story apartment building, totally renovated with new plumbing, wood flooring, complete kitchens with new appliances and granite counter tops, at least two bathrooms per unit and brand new furnishings.  If you are interesting in residing in a sober residential living facility theMARIPOSA may be for you.  Please call ahead for a tour, Billy Bartlett, our manager can be reached at 213-382-1013.

 theMARIPOSA Grand Opening

Much ado about something…it began around noon on July 19, 2010 with ABC7 cinematographer Jim Bourne setting up to film the entire event….we were very excited by ABC’s presence in order to get this very important event out to the public and other non-profits.

Tracey Lyons Tozier and Kat Peterson (Board Members & event planners) introduced Josh Smith, P.I.P. Associate Director who delivered a warm welcome and served as Master of Ceremonies.  We were honored to have as our featured guest speaker Alexander Kim, Deputy Director Community Liaison, Office of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who eloquently delivered a message from our Governor.  “I applaud your dedication to helping those in need…..By providing environments that are addiction-free...while fostering self-reliance...”  In addition to our planned speakers, representatives from the Office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa attended; Louis Sanchez and Angelica Ayala delivered messages from our Mayor of Los Angeles.  Both offices presented letters signed by the Governor and the Mayor respectively. 

We had the pleasure of hearing two testimonials from P.I.P. staff members Sandra Estrada and Les Johnson; inspirations to everyone listening.  We heard from Noel Russell, our CFO; Adam Loomis, our Director of Programs, and Billy Bartlett, Manager of theMARIPOSA who instantly won over the group in attendance.

Ted Kolchier, developer of theMARIPOSA and “That House" on Beacon spoke of his long relationship with Dennis O’Sullivan and making agreements on a hand shake, how both facilities came to be and then he put SLO James Chong, LAPD Olympic Division (who came by on his day off) on the spot.  Officer Chong reluctantly went to the front of the room, where both gentlemen bantered and laughed leaving the audience smiling and shaking their heads over the misconception Officer Chong had regarding People In Progress, our facilities, how and what we do.

Dennis O’Sullivan spoke last of the role theMARIPOSA will play in the lives of our clients, especially our Veterans in recovery (lots’ of head nodding going on during this speech).  Anyone who knows Dennis or P.I.P. for that matter knows we have a passion for Americas Veterans!

After the speeches, all in attendance went outside for the ribbon cutting.  The speakers, board members present (Tracey Lyons Tozier, Robert “Boz” Latham, Vladimir Victorio, Josh Smith, and Kat Peterson), and the P.I.P. Management team were behind the ribbon for the cutting.  Someone suggested everyone get behind the ribbon and so we did.  Almost everyone went behind the ribbon except for the cinematographer, and photographers…and why not… theMARIPOSA is an asset to the entire LA community.  The more the merrier!  Together Dennis and Josh cut the ribbon and theMARIPOSA was officially and grandly open!

We all adjourned back downstairs to the conference room where a tasty lunch buffet was set (from Ardas Café in LA) and a beautiful floral arrangement (from Bardwell’s in Sun Valley) adorned the front of the room.  Much eating, laughing, networking, and chatting took place; a lovely time was had by all.

Needless to say the grand opening of theMARIPOSA was a smashing success even though our filmed event ended up on the ABC7 cutting room floor…we have attached photos, the program, and the letters from the Governor and Mayor so that you too can enjoy the festivities albeit from far.

Our thanks to all that attended and we are proud to introduce theMARIPOSA