Guests at VCH's Donor Appreciation on March 13th (Photo: Randy Brook)

We were thrilled to have over 130 of our 2013 supporters attend our annual Donor Appreciation event on March 13th.

In addition to enjoying the fabulous hors d'ouvres provided by Table Manors Catering and the art-filled Marina Del Rey home of Harlan Lee, guests were reminded of the impact of their contributions by two former VCH clients:  Westminster TLC Program Assistant, Lucia Mendez, and Venice YouthBuild graduate, Daniel Johnson.

When Carmen Cotton graduated from Cycle 11 of Venice YouthBuild in June 2013, she was still a few academic credits shy of earning her high school diploma.

To ensure that alumni like Carmen are prepared for higher education and a competitive labor market, Venice YouthBuild has developed a supplementary academic program: YouthBuild Academy.

"The focus of Academy is on project-based, individualized instruction," says YouthBuild Academy Teacher, Richard Pastor.

"Students write essays, create presentations, and complete research projects. We stress critical thinking, problem solving, time management and organization - skills that students need to be successful both in the academic world and in their future careers."

"My favorite part of this program is our ability to cultivate a personal relationship with each student," says Pastor. "The YouthBuild staff works as a team to support each student in achieving his or her goals."

On March 17th Free Storage Venice (FSV) began operating daily from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Previously, FSV was open from 4 - 5 p.m. to accommodate clients using the City's Winter Shelter Program. The conclusion of the Winter Shelter Program on March 1st and the onset of Daylight Savings Time allow VCH to operate FSV later in the day. We hope that the change in time will allow more people who are interested in volunteering at FSV to participate after work. Consider volunteering for this valuable and well-used service for unhoused persons for only one hour a day!

A volunteer organizes bins at Free Storage Venice (Photo: Los Angeles Times)

Located at Venice Beach, FSV provides unhoused people with a place to store their personal belongings, relieving them of the burden of their possessions and enabling them to more easily seek work, housing and services.

To volunteer at FSV today, contact Barbara Milliken, Volunteer Coordinator,  bmilliken@vchcorp.org, or Gina Maslow, gina.maslow@gmail.com. Gratification guaranteed!

  

VCH honors two volunteers at donor event

Volunteers Gina Maslow (left) and Yvonne Chang (right) received Volunteer Appreciation Awards at our Donor Appreciation event March 13th.  (Photo: Jack Prichett)

 

On March 13th Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator Barbara Milliken presented Certificates of Achievement and Appreciation to Gina Maslow and Yvonne Chang at our annual Donor Appreciation event for their generous contributions of time and energy in support of Venice Community Housing.  

 

Gina has been an integral and indispensable part of Free Storage Venice, VCH's storage program for unhoused persons at Venice Beach, since its inception in 2012.  She helped formulate FSV's policies and procedures, recruits, trains and communicates with volunteers, coordinates the calendar, and provides ongoing day-to-day assistance - often at a moment's notice. Upon receiving her certificate, Gina expressed the great satisfaction and fulfillment she has experienced working on FSV and helping this particular population in need.  

 

Yvonne Chang devoted countless hours to the 2013 Jazz at Palms Court fundraising event as a member of the Jazz Committee. Yvonne came ready and willing to perform whatever tasks were asked of her, and her incredible attention to detail was an asset when it came to organizing the event's silent auction. Yvonne was critical to helping us catalog all of the donated items and creating bid sheets for the event. Since participated on the Jazz Committee, Yvonne has also mentored students in our After School Program. Yvonne said she was honored by the recognition and plans to continue volunteering in both programs.

We are pleased to announce a two-year, $300,000 grant from The Rose Hills Foundation to support Venice Community Housing's general operations.

We are thankful for the staff, Board and stakeholders who collaborated to help us secure this grant!