Back in October,Ben Affleckused all the attention on his dating life to bring attention to a cause he cares about:The Midnight Mission— a homeless shelter that helps those most in need, including people battling addiction, in Los Angeles.
After it was discovered that Affleck, 47, was using the exclusive dating app Raya, he poked fun at himself butalso made a point.“HA, you got me. I’m dating,” he captioned the post, before mentioning the cause, that he said is “actually important.”
“I have been in recovery for over a year and part of that is helping out others,” he wrote,@themidnightmissionis an incredible organization that helps those in need with housing, training, development and recovery.”
Affleck then asked if Raya would join him in making a donation. “I’m making a donation today because there are people battling addiction every day that don’t have the resources and need help. @raya, you in? Who else is with me? Click the link in my bio to donate,” he wrote.
Affleck first learned about The Midnight Mission, which has been in operation since 1914, through a parent at one of his children’s schools and supports their efforts.
“I found that I get a lot out of giving a little bit of my time to other people. I don’t know that it helps them or not, but I know it’s helpful to me,” Affleck tells PEOPLE.
The Midnight Mission serves anyone in need, with a range of programs that focus on education, recovery and workforce development. And Affleck, who has been open abouthis addiction strugglesin the past, recognizes the connection he shares with those the mission aims to help.
“For me, working with that organization has been really positive and rewarding. Just to see people getting healthier, thriving, emerging, picking up skills — it makes a difference,” he says. “One thing we have as public figures is the opportunity to bring some exposure to organizations that are doing work that we believe in. And that’s definitely the case with the Midnight Mission.”
Affleck adds, “They are a worthy organization. They do a lot of good work and I would encourage anyone to support them.”
Courtesy Midnight Mission
Affleck is currently promoting the sports dramaThe Way Backabout a former basketball star and alcoholic who returns to his alma mater to coach the team. But in helping the kids, he has to learn to help himself.
The film was Affleck’s first project aftercompleting a 40-day stay at a treatment centerlast October and the actor has raved about the experience of makingThe Way Back, telling PEOPLE, “Gavin [director Gavin O’Connor] and the extraordinary cast of young actors who played the basketball players made me better every day and reminded me why I wanted to be an actor 25 years ago—simply because I love it.”
The Way Backopens March 6.
source: people.com
