George Stephanopoulos, “Good Morning America” anchor, left, meets with Lawrence Community Shelter Director Loring Henderson on Tuesday for a segment about mentors that will appear on the ABC show later this month. The two met 30 years ago while working in Washington, D.C.

Political correspondent George Stephanopoulos made a trip to Lawrence on Tuesday afternoon. He brought with him an ABC crew from “Good Morning America.”

The network journalist is putting together a story about mentors. His just happens to be a Lawrence man committed to helping the homeless.

Stephanopoulos stepped out of a car and into the embrace of his long-time friend Loring Henderson, who is the director of the Lawrence Community Shelter. The two met 30 years ago while working in Washington, DC. They’ve stayed in touch ever since.

When asked why he is honoring Henderson, Stephanopoulos said, “From the moment I met him I was impressed by his deep, deep ethic of service, to help people who otherwise had nowhere else to turn.”

Henderson is in the process of raising $3 million to open a new shelter near the Douglas County Jail. He says the current facility at 10th and Kentucky streets is no longer suitable for the growing poverty-stricken population of Lawrence. “We’re told there are lots of families who are in need, sleeping in cars and don’t want to come to the shelter when they’re crowded in like this,” Henderson said.

Last year Stephanopoulos donated $100,000 to Henderson’s effort. Henderson hopes the new shelter will be open within 18 months, but admits that may be a bit optimistic.

The segment on Henderson is set to air on “Good Morning America” later this month.