+Dylan

Every other Thursday, the lobby of the Cecil becomes something more than a hallway—it’s a place of dignity and choice. This week’s Free Boutique was full of life: clothing, personal care items, and small housewares. 2 regulars even shared their haul with us on video—smiles and all.

#HopeHealingHome

We can’t celebrate freedom on Juneteenth while our neighbors are in cages. The work of abolition isn’t history — it’s now.

The climate of fear is no accident. Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife critically wounded. This is the violent world Trump helped build. We meet it with peace, resistance, and action. This is why we’re marching. #NoMoreFear #DefendDemocracy

Two faces from my past surfaced this week—one, a friend, resigned as a U.S. Marshal to keep his soul intact. The other from my college days, now a National Guard captain, met my eyes at the Federal Building… and looked away. Two men. Two choices. One heavy week.

Today at Grand Park, Clergy led by CLUE stood with Dolores Huerta, calling for powerful, nonviolent resistance.

We marched to MDC arm in arm, chanting for justice for David Huerta & we made clear our peaceful intent: calm, strong, unshaken.

The media missed it. But we were there - in peace.

The Free Boutique was open today at the Hotel Cecil — and what a day it was. Dishes, towels, and fresh bedding found new homes with over 25 residents. No price tags, just choice. Because dignity starts with having the essentials — and the freedom to choose them.

www.hotelcecil.org

It’s getting messy between Musk and Trump. Can’t wait to see who gets custody of the U.S. — supervised visits? Every other weekend? Who’s paying child support?

Radical Inclusion Means Everyone At the Hotel Cecil and on Skid Row, we’re building a community where no one is turned away—because inclusion isn’t a trend. It’s a calling.

Radical inclusion isn't confined to sexual identity, but extends to everyone in every circumstance!

open.substack.com/pub/achaplai...

The Dog Food Drive, New Programs, and A Brother on the Road A Spring Update

A Spring update from the Hotel Cecil!

open.substack.com/pub/achaplai...

#ItsYourChurch Holy Saturday is the quiet in-between—the sacred pause between sorrow and joy, death and resurrection. Today, we wait in hope, holding space for what is yet to come.

#HolySaturday #SacredPause #BetweenCrossAndCrown

“Who’s My Case Manager?” and Other Questions We Hear Every Day (Palm Sunday reflections from the Cecil)

"Who’s my case manager?" It’s a question with layers—especially on Palm Sunday. This week’s reflection connects street-level ministry, protest, and hope.

Read more: open.substack.com/pub/achaplai...

Spiritual wandering can feel holy—but growth needs roots. “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish” (Ps. 92:13). Stability isn’t boring; it’s brave. Stay long enough for God to work in you. Don’t just move—grow.

#RootedFaith #SpiritualGrowth #SacredStability

From the Inbox: A Volunteer’s Note Volunteering at the Cecil: hard, holy, and worth returning to.

Just two visits to the Cecil—and this volunteer said it changed them.

“This place, this work—it’s sacred.”

Read their full note and learn how you can get involved.
#HopeHealingHome #CecilHotelMinistry #StreetChaplaincy #ItsYourChurch

Justice with Mercy: Jacob's Road to Recovery When the system wanted to punish, we fought for help -- and won.

Sometimes, the system does work! Grateful for the movement of the Divine in the halls of justice today.

#JusticeWithMercy #TheSystemWorked #HopeInAction #DivineJustice #SecondChances #HotelCecil #AdvocacyMatters #HealingNotPunishment #FriendsOfTheCecil
open.substack.com/pub/achaplai...

A close-up of flowers on a lemon tree.

A close-up of flowers on a lemon tree.

Seven years ago, my sister found a viviparous seed in a lemon from our grandparents’ tree. She planted it, then gave it to me. For 6.5 years, I cared for it with no fruit—until yesterday, when I found 7 flowers! Patience nurtures the unseen work of time.

#Patience
#LemonTree #GrowthTakesTime

Trans people in Wyoming are now banned from certain spaces One new law prohibits public school students from going to restrooms and locker rooms that don’t correspond with their sex assigned at birth. Another bans trans people from sex-desginated public space...

Wyoming, you can do so much better than this. After Matthew Shepard’s murder, you know first hand the dangers of intolerance & hate. Shame on you.

#TransRightsAreHumanRights
#ProtectTransLives
#MatthewShepard
#LGBTQRights
#EqualityForAll
#TransJustice

#IYKYK 🤣

Healing the Whole A ministry of presence, not "fixing"

A little bit of the practical side of my work at the Hotel Cecil!

open.substack.com/pub/achaplai...

#wisdom
#publicserviceannouncement
#LGBTQRightsAreHumanRights
#LGBTQAdvocacy

Shifting Streets, Unchanging Struggles Standing with Cecil Residents — Change is Inevitable, but So is Community

As social service resources become fragile, we have to rely on the goodwill of our neighbors. Will you become a Friend of the Cecil?

open.substack.com/pub/achaplai...

Two years ago, we lost Bishop David G. O’Connell, a true peacemaker who loved L.A. and its marginalized. His dedication to the least of LA's prople shaped my own commitment, and I strive to walk in his footsteps daily. Please say #AHailMaryforBishopDave today.

Bishop Dave, pray for us!

A sign that says Life is a combination of magic and pasta, a quote attributed to Fellini

It's been a rough year so far, but here’s a little reminder—life’s still got its magic (and pasta). Even in tough times, there’s joy in the little things. So, take a deep breath, enjoy a good meal, and keep going. We will get through this!

#PastaHealstheSoul
#MangiaBene
#ItalianWisdom
#PastaLove

The NPS erasing trans people from Stonewall is wrong and hurtful. Trans folks, especially trans women of color, led the uprising. Erasing that history is dishonest.

I see you, I love you, and your history will not be erased.

#TransHistoryMatters #StonewallWasTrans #WeWontBeErased #LGBTQJustice

Thousands of Danes sign petition to buy California from U.S. In response to President Donald Trump’s continued musing about the U.S. acquiring Greenland from Denmark, Danish citizens have launched their own effort to purchase America’s most econo…

California (and other blue states) going independent or joining with Canada or Denmark (European Union) is a preferable alternative to going down the crapper with the rest of Trump's MAGAland.

'Thousands of Danes sign petition to buy California from U.S."

I'll just leave this right here...

www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...

St. Paul Miki & 25 others were executed in Japan in 1597 for being Christian. Even as he died, he preached love & forgiveness. Their story challenges us today: When leaders silence dissent & target the vulnerable, do we speak up or stay silent? Faith isn’t just words—it’s courage. #Justice

Because everyone needs to see a border collie with her sheep.

'A parish of its own': Finding faith inside LA's famous murder hotel The infamous Cecil Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles has backdropped murderers, suicides and other horrors for 100 years. One man stays behind to help.

It is so very fulfilling to see positive press about my work at the Cecil Hotel and Skid Row/Main Street, which so often gets a bad rap. It's a special place, filled with people of hope and love.

#FaithintheCecil
#HousingMatters
#SkidRow

www.sfgate.com/la/article/c...

Today, Holocaust Remembrance Day, we remember the six million Jews and countless others who perished in one of history's darkest chapters. Their stories remind us of the grave consequences of hate, division, and silence in the face of injustice.
#NeverForget
#HolocaustRemembranceDay

Social Justice activism is in full swing just hours after the inauguration. Immigration rights advocates rook center stage at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights with speeches, chants and calls to action to protect the rights of immigrants, the oppressed and marginalized.