The legacy of late Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek lives on through the Trebek Center, a 107-bed homeless shelter in Los Angeles that was developed with support from the television host and his wife, Jean. The facility, which was established at the site of the former Skateland roller rink, was created to provide people experiencing homelessness with accommodation and access to mental health services. Operated by Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, the shelter was made possible through contributions from the Trebek family, private donors and the city of Los Angeles. The story of how it came to be was recounted by the organisation’s founder and CEO, Ken Craft, in a 2022 newsletter.
How Alex Trebek first got involved with the homeless shelter
In the Easter 2022 edition of SharingHope, Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission founder and CEO Ken Craft recalled receiving an unexpected phone call from Trebek, who had heard about the organisation’s plans to build a homeless shelter and wanted to visit the site.Craft arranged a meeting, and the following morning, Trebek arrived wearing jeans and a baseball cap. After touring the proposed facility, the television host said he would be in touch.A few weeks later, Trebek called Craft to request the organisation’s audited financial statements. After reviewing them, he invited Craft to his home. Craft recalled finding the documents marked with highlights, circles and notes.Trebek told him that he appreciated the organisation’s social enterprises and the way it was being run. He then handed Craft a cheque for $100,000.Craft also recalled asking Trebek for a hug and a photograph. The host agreed to the hug and later arranged for Craft and his wife, Laurie, to visit the set of Jeopardy!. During the visit, Trebek brought them on stage and spoke about the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles and the mission’s work.
The Trebek family’s $500,000 contribution
The Trebek Center was developed by Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission to support people experiencing homelessness. (Photo: Westlake Women’s Club)
Craft’s account also detailed a later visit by Trebek and his wife, Jean, to the organisation’s North Hollywood shelter. In June 2020, shortly before that shelter opened, Trebek contacted Craft to ask whether he could bring Jean to see a multipurpose room named in their honour.During the visit, Jean handed Craft a cheque for $500,000. The couple told him they believed in the organisation’s work and wanted to invest in its mission.Craft asked whether the contribution could serve as the lead donation for another shelter the organisation was planning to build. According to his account, the couple agreed.The donation helped initiate fundraising for the new facility. The organisation subsequently secured additional support from private donors and the city of Los Angeles to acquire the former Skateland property and convert it into accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.
Why the shelter was named after Alex Trebek
Trebek died in November 2020, before Craft could update him about the acquisition of the former roller rink property. Following his death, Craft contacted Jean to offer his condolences and ask whether the organisation could name the new shelter after her husband.In the newsletter, Craft recalled that Jean called him back the following day and said the family would be honoured to have Alex’s name on the building.The Trebek family later attended the groundbreaking ceremony, marking the beginning of the project.Jean also spoke about her husband’s commitment to the cause, saying, “I know how proud Alex was of their mission. He was so deeply grateful to be a part of the solution, to always lend a helping hand by offering both hope and practical assistance to those in need.”
What the Trebek Center was designed to offer
The 107-bed facility was planned to provide people experiencing homelessness with a safe place to sleep, along with access to mental health services and other forms of support.The centre was developed as part of Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission’s broader efforts to address homelessness in Los Angeles. Its conversion from a former roller rink into a shelter reflected the organisation’s goal of creating accommodation while helping residents work towards greater stability.The organisation also invited supporters to sponsor bedrooms at the centre. Its 2022 newsletter outlined a $3,000 bedroom sponsorship programme, with contributions helping provide food, shelter and care for residents.The Trebek Center’s story is a reminder of how the late television host’s generosity extended beyond his career on Jeopardy!. Through his and Jean’s contributions, alongside support from other donors and the city, a former entertainment venue was transformed into a project intended to offer shelter and practical assistance to people in need.