logoVenice Community Housing
Monthly Newsletter


The full scoop on our people, programs & progress
Volume 4 Issue 11                   
November 2014
In This Issue
Fast Fact
Wish List
Community Spotlight
Dine at Feed
Celebrating Success
Volunteer Corner
Experience Giving
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.  
Fast Fact

Los Angeles County, California has the highest number of food-insecure individuals (1.6 million) with 1 in 6 people

experiencing hunger on a regular basis.

Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization 2014

  

Congratulations 
Lucia!
 



Congratulations to Lucia Mendez, our TLC Program Assistant, who has been accepted to the Children's Windows Leadership Training program. Through her tenacity and determination she completed a thorough selection process and was awarded a Windows Between Worlds scholarship. Upon completion of the program, Lucia will implement and lead the Windows art therapy programs for the women and children at the TLC.


Wish List     


From linens to laptops, Venice Community Housing is always seeking donations for our residents and programs. Please visit our online wish list to see if you can meet any of our current needs!
 
Quick Links

 
Spotlight on Community:


Thad's offers free laundry service to people in need
 
People who have trouble affording laundry have a   opportunity to get their clothes clean  - completely free of charge.

On the last Monday of each month from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, Thad's hosts its monthly "Laundry Love Venice" at Venice Beach Laundry, located at 241 Lincoln Blvd.  (**last load in at 8:45pm)

Participants bring their clothes, and Thad's supplies the quarters, detergent and dryer sheets.

If you or someone you know is in need of laundry assistance, or if you'd like to support Laundry Love Venice, visit www.thads.org for more information. 
thanksgiving-corn-banner.jpg Dear Friends, 

On November 27th we will gather around tables with our loved ones, express thanks and gratitude, and share a bountiful Thanksgiving meal.

We want to ensure that those who are less fortunate - including our low-income tenants -  are able to enjoy that same experience. Although successfully housed, many of our tenants are still overwhelmed by the extraordinary costs of living, including the basic necessities: food, clothing and personal hygiene products. 

VCH aims to provide year-round food assistance, but we feel particularly called upon during the holiday season to ensure that the people we serve are food-secure.

We also have a long-standing tradition to provide each child and youth who live with us and/or participate in one of our programs with a holiday gift. We hope you can help us through supporting one or more of our upcoming food, toy or gift card drives.

We, the Board and Staff of VCH, would like to express our sincere gratitude for each of one you and wish you a healthy and happy Thanksgiving Holiday.



Robert Staats, owner of Feed Restaurant on Abbot Kinney Blvd., has generously volunteered to contribute 10% of all food and drink sales on Monday December 8th to Venice Community Housing!

 

So take a break from your holiday shopping and stop by FEED for lunch, dinner or enjoy a margarita during Happy Hour!  

 

 

 
Tenant, volunteers honored at Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition's Celebrating Success Breakfast
Steve Clare, VCH Executive Director, Tanya Pursch, Rev. Dr. David McAllister and members of Gateway Christian Church

Unemployment. Domestic violence. Mental illness. Substance abuse.There are any number of reasons why someone may become homeless, and as any of the formerly homeless individuals honored at the Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition's 19th annual Celebrating Success Breakfast will tell you, homelessness can happen to anyone.

The Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition (WSHC) is an alliance of over 30 organizations, public agencies and faith communities committed to ending hunger and homelessness through service coordination, public education and advocacy. Each year the coalition comes together to honor individuals who have moved their lives from homelessness to housed with the support of member agencies This event also recognizes businesses and organizations that have made significant contributions to Coalition member agencies and the clients they serve. This year Venice Community Housing recognized Tanya Pursch and Gateway Christian Church.

 

Tanya experienced homelessness for over 5 years before moving into one of our apartments in August 2011. She has remained clean and sober and is now owns a dog treat business. She is a regular volunteer with our monthly donation center and is proud of the woman she is today! As are we!

 

Gateway Christian Church believes that being a church goes beyond the walls of the building, to the community where they live. They have been involved with VCH for over 5 years assisting with our annual holiday gift card and food drives and providing school supplies for our children. Their steadfast support has ensured that each one of our youth receives a holiday gift and that our kids return to school with the supplies they need for success. VHC is so grateful for their unwavering support. 

 

Volunteer Corner by  
Barbara Milliken...

       VCH RECEIVES SHOPPING PROCEEDS FROM ABAGHUMI 

  

            Abaghumi, a ladies' clothing and jewelry store in Santa Monica, featuring free-trade, Balinese products, hosted a shopping event last month, donating 20% of the net proceeds to VCH.  Even better for shoppers, the store featured sale prices on various gorgeous, eye-catching items.

  

            Manager, Donna Sintic-Liebman, served food and drink as well.  She invited Abaghumi's regular customers and VCH urged its supporters to attend as well.  As a result, all enjoyed a fun, social day together, coming away with colorful bracelets, scarves, sweaters and more.  Donna extended the 20% donation for the entire week.  Afterwards she presented VCH with a check for $822.00.  A repeat event is being planned.  Watch for an announcement.

 

Manager, Donna Sintic-Liebman, center, presents proceeds to Steve Clare; Barbar Milliken looks on. (Photo: Jack Prichett)  
 

 

 

VOLUNTEERS REACH OUT TO VENICE COMMUNITY AT WHOLE FOODS 

 

            The Venice Whole Foods store volunteered to highlight VCH during all of November, 2014.   It invited VCH to reach out to the community via a display at the front of the Lincoln/Rose store every weekend this month.

            Volunteers, consisting of Board members, staff, Free Storage Venice workers and YouthBuild students, set up a table with an array of VCH materials and talked to customers for 2 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.  Linda Lucks and Barbara Milliken plan a presentation to Whole Foods employees about VCH's mission and work; the employees will also solicit donations on behalf of VCH.  In January, 2015, VCH will receive a "truckload" of perishable foods and items for VCH distribution to those in need in the community.  Many thanks to our good neighbor, Whole Foods, and all our volunteers!

 

 

VCH's table at Whole Foods with volunteers, Yadira Enriquez, of VCH, & Michael Lindley, VFS worker 




RECOGNITION OF MORE JAZZ VOLUNTEERS

 

            In the October Newsletter, the Volunteer Corner featured volunteers at VCH's principal annual fundraiser, Jazz at Palms Court.  Here are more photos of some of those volunteers working at the event or setting up the day before.  Click here  to view others.  Many thanks again to all who participated.  We look forward to seeing you again next year!  All photos by Jack Prichett

   

   

 
Experience Giving:
Contribute to VCH's holiday food and toy drives 



The holidays can be a difficult time for the people we serve. As we approach the holiday season, Venice Community Housing is seeking donations of food, toys and gift cards for our residents, unhoused clients, and the children and youth in our programs. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.  

  

Provide meal supplies for our residents:

Venice Community Housing houses over 500 low-income people. Although successfully housed, our residents are often challenged with meeting the everyday needs that accompany being housed, and food support is a year-round need. 

   

We are seeking donations of shelf-stable food items or  grocery store gift cards so that we can provide  food baskets to some of our families the week  before Christmas.

Food items can be dropped off at our main office Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between now and December 16th.

  

Donate to our holiday toy and gift card drive: 

Venice Community Housing will serve over 250 disadvantaged children and youth this year. We are seeking donations of toys and gift cards for the approximately 150 children 120 teenagers living in our buildings and/or participating in our After School Programs and Venice YouthBuild program this holiday season.

  

New, unwrapped toys and gift cards can be dropped off at our main office between now and December 16th, during regular business hours - M-F 9am-6pm.  

 

Go The Extra Mile: Organize a food or toy drive
We are seeking community partners who are able to host a food or toy drive at their business, school, or place of worship.

Or if you would like us to shop for you - please      click here
to make a financial gift to our holiday drives.
 

  

For more information, contact Graciela (Chela) Vallejo at (310) 584-7647 or [email protected].  

 

   

Until next month, 

 

 

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