Venice Community Housing

Monthly Newsletter   
 
 
The scoop on our people, programs & progress
Volume 4 Issue 8                           
August 2014
IN THIS ISSUE
Criminalization of Homelessness
Faces of VCH
YouthBuild Recruitment
Celebrating Sobriety
Study Lounge Updates
Volunteer Corner
Come Brunch with Us!
Farewell from the Editor
Fast Fact 
 


74% of homeless people do not know a place where it is safe and legal for them to sleep.

A comprehensive report by the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty outlines state laws - such as those banning sleeping in public places - that unfairly target the unhoused population and are costly to taxpayers.

Check out the full report by clicking here.  
Faces of VCH 

Yadira Enriquez  
 
Supportive Services Program Manager 



A 10-month internship with Public Allies in 2003 launched my career in nonprofits and social work. After several years providing case management in downtown L.A.'s Skid Row area, I decided to earn my Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan.

As Supportive Services Program Manager at Venice Community Housing I provide case management to our tenants who were once chronically homeless.

Case management is almost like a dance - each client's dance is unique. It's my role to develop a relationship with each client and support them in whatever capacity they need, whether it's accompanying them to complete paperwork at the Social Security office or helping them run errands.

At the end of a hard day I unwind by going on a run (I'm currently training for a half marathon), whipping up a batch of my famous guacamole, or binging on one of my favorite Netflix shows. 
There's still time to apply to Venice YouthBuild!   



Venice YouthBuild is currently accepting applications for its 2014-2015 cycle.

Please circulate the
flyer and application (links below) to any students, families or agencies that may be interested!

Questions? Contact Marisol Perez at
(310) 573- 8415 or marisol@vchcorp.org.
 
Take a Tour    


Learn about VCH's history and current efforts during a ride-along tour of our properties throughout the Venice area. This unique introduction to VCH is ideal for individuals who are new to the area and/or want to learn more about our agency. 

Tours will be held the third Wednesday of every month, or by appointment.

To schedule a tour contact Linda Lucks:
(310) 526-3857 or llucks@vchcorp.org.   
Mission Statement

The mission of Venice Community Housing is to preserve the economic, racial and social diversity of Venice and the surrounding area by maximizing affordable housing and economic development opportunities and providing needed social services to the area's low-income population.  
Quick Links
 

In 1990, Robin Williams testified before a Senate Health and Human Services panel in support of the Homelessness Prevention and Community Revitalization Act.

Robin Williams Speaks Before Congress

"Homelessness is not irreversible, nor should it be considered an immutable and permanent condition," Williams said.

"With political and moral commitment, a massive increase in affordable housing, and the types of social support services that are envisioned in the [Act], homelessness can and should be eliminated."

Almost 25 years later, we have yet to witness the sweeping policy changes recommended by countless housing and homelessness experts and supported by advocates like Williams - who is in our hearts and thoughts following his passing on August 11th.

However, we can celebrate the many small victories (such as one described below) that give us daily hope for a permanent solution to homelessness and poverty in communities across the nation.

Read on!
Tenant achieves 8-year milestone
VCH tenant Wayne Osteen will celebrate eight years of staying clean and sober this month.

Wayne is a participant in our Shelter Plus Care program, which provides permanent housing and supportive services to formerly homeless individuals with mental illness, substance abuse issues and/or chronic health conditions.

Over the years Wayne has touched our hearts with his kindness, generosity, and his token reminder: "What goes around, comes around!"

Congratulations, Wayne!

Study Lounge Updates 

 

Summer Camp wraps up 

Our Study Lounge Summer Camp concluded on August 1st. We provided 22 students with a month-long program jam-packed with fun, field trips and learning!  

Study Lounge Summer Camp students on a field trip to the UCLA campus. 
 

Back to School

The fall session of our Study Lounge program launched on August 12th at our Washington Courts site, serving over 30 elementary school students.  

We continue to partner with UCLA's TEACH program to provide individualized tutoring and academic-focused activities to students to improve their GPA, work habits and behavior and to encourage their love of learning.

 

Study Lounge will start up at our second site, Venice's Oakwood Recreation Center, in October.

 

Farewell, Kathy! 

Kathy SanchezKathy Sanchez, who for over two years worked tirelessly on behalf of our Study Lounge students and families living in VCH's affordable housing, departed from VCH earlier this month. Kathy will soon be a full-time student at the University of Southern California, where she intends to earn a Masters of Social Work. We wish her all the best! 
VOLUNTEER CORNER
by  Barbara Milliken

 

VCH prominent at 8th Annual Venice BBQ

VCH was highly visible August 2nd at the Free Community Picnic and Barbecue at Oakwood Park in Venice, sponsored by Venice Neighborhood Council.  Attendees met with several VCH supporters and members of its Board of Directors. These volunteers answered questions, explained VCH goals and programs, and distributed VCH materials. VCH presented as a friendly, positive and helpful organization, anxious to serve its community. In addition to those pictured below, thanks to volunteers Stephanie Tatro, Sussie Hernandez, and Jack Prichett.

VCH's table at the VNC Barbecue. From left: VCH Development Associate Linda Lucks; Board Members Mindy Meyer, Sylvia Aroth, and Barbara Milliken; and volunteer Martha Cheresh. (Photo: Jack Prichett)
 
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Venice Community Housing, visit our web site or contact Barbara Milliken at (310) 399-4100 ext. 134 or bmilliken@vchcorp.org.   
Come brunch with us!
Sunday, September 14th 
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
743 Palms Blvd., Venice 

You're invited to our 22nd annual Jazz at Palms Court champagne brunch and silent auction! Ticketing information, volunteer information, and more are available at www.vchcorp.org/jazz.  
A Fond Farewell 
by Anne Dobson

Outgoing Development Manager, Anne Dobson, with a Venice YouthBuild graduate
Dear Readers,

It has been a pleasure for me to write and edit the  e-newsletter for the past three years. I always looked forward to sharing the latest news from Venice Community Housing with our staff, Board and most devoted supporters.

At the end of the month I will depart VCH to continue on my professional journey. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities I had at VCH, and I am excited to take the lessons learned here with me on the next step of my journey.

Thank you for your loyal readership and support!

--Anne
Venice Community Housing 
720 Rose Ave, Venice, CA 90291 
P: (310) 399-4100
F: (310) 399-1130