TakePart TV And NBA Superstar Kobe Bryant Launch 'Mission,' A Video Series That Sheds Light On Homelessness In America

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- TakePart TV, the new impact-driven channel recently launched by Participant Media, has partnered with NBA superstar Kobe Bryant to create a five-part video web series focusing on the homeless problem in Los Angeles.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121002/CL84969LOGO)

Mission follows Bryant as he documents an honest and unfiltered account of challenges facing residents of Skid Row, the downtown Los Angeles area with the largest concentration of homeless people in the United States. Through Bryant's personal and candid conversations with residents of The Los Angeles Mission, a nonprofit organization that cares for homeless people in the area, Mission highlights key social issues affecting millions of homeless Americans and how organizations are helping people regain their lives.

"There has to be something else bigger than just yourself and what you leave out on the basketball court. You have to use that to affect change and affect change in a serious way," said Bryant.

In support of the issue, TakePart is encouraging viewers to take action by volunteering in their local area to help the homeless. The following directory, authored by the National Coalition for the Homeless, offers a guide to local homeless service organizations: http://www.nationalhomeless.org/directories/directory_local.pdf

"Kobe is a superstar on and off the court. We applaud his desire to bring attention to important causes he cares deeply about and we are inspired by his commitment to move people to act on the issue of homelessness in America," said Evan Shapiro, President of Participant Media Television.

This marks the third series to premiere on TakePart TV since the YouTube Channel launched in early October. For more information or to watch other top series, including Capitalism with Henry Rollins, American Savage with Dan Savage or the daily show Brain Food Daily, please visit http://www.youtube.com/takepart.

Click here to view the Mission teaser - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZUyV157i6Q

About TakePart TV
TakePart TV is a newly launched impact-focused channel on YouTube that delivers an eclectic mix of original programming including daily short-form shows, animations, and high-quality series about the big issues facing our planet. Founded by Participant Media, TakePart TV adopted the ethos "a story well told can change the world" as the driving force behind the brand. TakePart TV's programming can be found at youtube.com/takepart.

About Participant Media
Participant Media (participantmedia.com) is an entertainment company that focuses on documentary and non-documentary feature films, television, publishing and digital content about the real issues that shape our lives. For each of its projects, Participant creates social action and advocacy programs to transform the impact of the media experience into individual and community action. Participant's online division and Social Action Network is TakePart (takepart.com). Founded by Jeff Skoll in 2004, Jim Berk serves as CEO. Participant's films include The Kite Runner, Charlie Wilson's War, An Inconvenient Truth, Good Night, and Good Luck, The Visitor, Food, Inc., The Cove, The Crazies, Countdown to Zero, Waiting for "Superman," Fair Game, PAGE ONE: Inside The New York Times, The Help, Contagion, Last Call at the Oasis, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Lincoln and Promised Land.

About the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation
The Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of youth and families in need, particularly in Los Angeles County. By providing financial resources and developing unique programs, the Foundation strives to strengthen communities and collaborate with local partners to support the most vulnerable citizens.  www.kvbff.org

About the Los Angeles Mission
For 75 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of Skid Row, providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs including education, job training/placement, transitional housing and counseling. For more information go to www.losangelesmission.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Shannon Swallow
[email protected]
310-246-7753

Julie Holland
[email protected]
310-571-8217

SOURCE Participant Media