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Dear Friends,
This Memorial Day Weekend, VCH gives thanks to all of those who have served our country. As homelessness increases in veterans and civilians alike, it is our goal to provide housing and services to all.
The 2015 Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count provides agencies like us with data on the number of homeless persons in LA County. Since 2013, the homeless population has increased by 12%. In our Service Planning Area (SPA) 5, homelessness has increased by 17%. Council District 11, where Venice is located, has the 2nd (tied with CD9) highest homeless population in the entire city.
These numbers and recent events show the dire need for affordable housing and homeless services in Los Angeles County. We invite you to join us in addressing these issues.
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Recent unrest due to police brutality and the treatment of Venice's homeless has undoubtedly been a controversial topic the past few weeks. The fatal shooting of unarmed homeless man, Brendon Glenn further sparked discussions on the local homeless population and the lack of resources in our community.
Venice Community Housing's Executive Director, Steve Clare, speaks to this issue in May 14th's issue of The Argonaut. The article can be found here. |
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Save The Date! Our 23rd Annual Jazz At Palms Court
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On September 20th, 2015, Venice Community Housing is proud to host our 23rd annual champagne brunch fundraiser, Jazz at Palms Court. Join us for a gourmet brunch, champagne, live jazz, and popular silent auction.
For sponsorship, auction item donation, or advertising opportunities, please contact Development Director, Myrna Pappas at (310) 573-8407 or by email.
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 The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) released the results of the 2015 Greater Los Angeles Homeless count. The number of homeless persons has increased in every county Supervisorial District since 2013. The number of Chronically Homeless Individuals has increased by nearly 5,000.
Council District 11 has the second highest homeless population citywide. These numbers reflect the dire need for affordable housing and homeless services in Los Angeles. For the full report, please click here. |
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Thanks to the Venice Arts Council
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Emily Winters, of the Venice Arts Council, provided a training on graffiti removal to the VCH staff. The Venice Arts Council provided materials and the training at one of our buildings. Before and after pictures show the great work!
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Affordable Housing Advocacy
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An April report released by Miguel Santana, City Administrative officer, showed that Los Angeles spends over $100 million annually dealing with homelessness- arrests, skid row patrols, etc. Find the full report here.
Councilman Mike Bonin released a letter of support for affordable housing in Council District 11 and specifically in Venice. Bonin and fellow Councilmember Jose Huizar (CD 14) have also created an Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness. Together they hope to focus attention to increasing housing and services for the homeless.
Venice Community Housing is proud to work with Councilmember Bonin on creating more progressive policies to address homelessness and affordable housing.
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YouthBuild Graduation
Save the date! Join Venice YouthBuild on June 26th from 6-9pm at Santa Monica College, as we celebrate the graduation of Venice YouthBuild's 13th cycle! Our students have worked exceptionally hard this year and deserve a night of celebration!
Mirror Mirror Art Show
The Mirror, Mirror Project pairs professional artists with youth to create portraits of each other allowing both subject and artist to inspire, empower, and see one another on a human level.
This year, The Mirror, Mirror Project partnered with Venice's YouthBuild program and will be showing all collaborative artwork in a final exhibition and fundraiser at The Cadillac Hotel on June 11th. This partnership and exhibition was made possible by The Department of Cultural Affairs.
Please join The Mirror, Mirror Project and the Venice YouthBuild students for a spectacular night of art and entertainment! A special book release for the PEN USA project with John Muir Charter School and Venice YouthBuild will also be featured. The book is a culminating project of all the wonderful poetry written in 3 months of workshops! For questions, please contact YouthBuild Teacher, Sarah Wakasa.
Venice YouthBuild Continues Advocacy
Advocacy is incorporated into the Venice YouthBuild program as a part of community service. The Venice YouthBuild students continued their advocacy efforts, this month, demanding justice and further action in our community. About 15 students attended a vigil and protested police brutality for the recent killing of unarmed Venice homeless man, Brendon Glenn. Students made signs, chanted, listened to the testimony of the victim's friends, and some even shared their thoughts on police brutality. Youth continue to show support for the community through various projects led by the YouthBuild staff.
On April 28, Venice YouthBuild participated in National YouthBuild day where YouthBuilds in Los Angeles took to the streets of downtown LA to march for awareness of the program and movement nationally. Students were all dressed in YouthBuild gear to represent important components of the program: construction clothes; business attire; graduation caps and gowns; and YouthBuild program t-shirts. The march started from the Staples Center and marched all the way to the building of the Board of Supervisors where everyone gathered to rally support and address officials directly in public comment. LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis expressed strong support for our cause and helped other Supervisors understand YouthBuild.
Venice YouthBuild is a comprehensive program providing education, job training, and leadership development to 35 youth ages 18-24 each year to help them transition into successful adults.
For volunteer opportunities with Venice YouthBuild, please contact Sarah Norman at snorman@vchcorp.org
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VCH consistently works to ensure our buildings and units are kept as up-to-date as possible. Recent renovations at one of our buildings included replacing flooring and new kitchen cabinets. The unit looks better than ever!
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Venice Design Series Recap
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Photo Credit: Sheri Determan
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Photo Credit: Jack Pritchett
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The Inaugural Venice Design Series kicked off on April 25 with five sold out special events celebrating the best of Venice inspired architecture, food, performance and landscape. Held on three consecutive weekends through Sunday, May 10, the Series was created by Jay Griffith, Linda Lucks and a committee of dedicated people resulting in a successful series by any measure.
When given an opportunity to support the work of Venice Community Housing, the very talented members of our larger community stepped up to participate in and to attend five very special events: on Saturday, April 25, Jay Griffith hosted a glittering kick-off party at his Pacific Palisades home at Sunset; on Saturday, May 2, he led a literary/architecture tour of homes in our coastal canyons, which included a visit to the Charles & Ray Eames Case Study House and a reading by author Mona Simpson from her book "My Hollywood" among other delights.
Author Nancy Griffin & architect Steven Ehrlich, architect Kulapat Yantrasast, realtor Tiffany Rochelle & restaurateur Paul Hibler hosted intimate and magical dinner parties and salons in Venice; attorney/VCH Board member Amanda Seward & architectural historian Hans Adamson, Shannon Matheson & realtor Brad Neal co-hosted a Mother's Day Jazz Brunch and tour of their own and others' historic homes in the Gregory Ain designed post WWII Mar Vista community.
Over $100,000 (net) was raised for our programs while more than half of the attendees and supporters of the series are new to VCH and we welcome and thank all of the many donors (in-kind and financial) and committee members for creating a new, signature Venice event. For a list of all sponsors and photos of each event, please log onto: www.venicedesignseries.org.
Even as the warm memories linger, we wonder how to top this first effort. We encourage you to share any ideas you have to assist with our ongoing fundraising efforts. If you haven't yet seen what VCH does first hand, we invite you to come on a personal tour of VCH's properties and programs at your convenience.
Thank you so much!
Linda Lucks llucks@vchcorp.org
Community Outreach & Special Events
310-526-3857
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Photo Credit: Jack Pritchett
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Photo Credit: Jack Pritchett
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Photo Credit: Jack Pritchett
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Volunteers Key to Great Success of Venice Design Series
The results are in!! The first-ever Venice Design Series was a big hit for the community and a financial high for VCH. A big part of this success was the volunteer effort; in fact, the venues, programs, speakers were so popular, a waiting list was prepared due to the huge interest.
Volunteers greeted guests, set up spaces, passed food, poured champagne, bartended, photographed the events, cleaned up, tabled a VCH display acquainting attendees with VCH's many services, programs and facilities and much more. They were Board members, VCH staff, friends, neighbors and community activists. See photos below of some of the many volunteers for this enormous effort. VCH thanks all!!
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Staff member Max Harris, Mary Brennan and Cara Robin [l. to r.] pour champagne for incoming guests. Photo: Sheri Determan
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Caption: Volunteers Lynne Southerland and Susan Moore (l. and r.) with host Kulapat Yantrasast. Photo: Jack Prichett
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VCH All-Volunteer Team at the Tour de Venice at Hotel Erwin The inaugural Tour de Venice was held by the Hotel Erwin on May 16, 2015 featured a multitude of happenings, live music, local vendors, food and drinks. VCH, designated a beneficiary of the event, was invited to be a presence at the Hotel entrance to greet guests with information and brochures about our programs and sell raffle tickets. Volunteers handled the entire 3-hour event. Their reward: A View from the Top & More! [including green Erwin sunglasses!] VCH thanks the Sokol family and donating raffle sponsors. See photos below: |
| | Volunteers: Barbara Milliken, Marie Kennedy, Mike Chamness, Steve Clare, Doris Oliker, Susan Millman |
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Roof-top at Hotel Erwin: Sylvia Aroth, Susan Millman, Steve Clare, Barbara Milliken [l. to r.]
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If you're interested in volunteering, learn more about our volunteer opportunities by clicking
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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.
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Support Our Donation Center Open the 3rd Friday of every month Our Donation Center is open to all low-income and homeless individuals for "Shop Day" every third Friday of the month. Please consider donating your gently used clothing, small household items, personal hygiene, and cleaning products to those in need.
Upcoming Shop Days: June 19 July 17 August 14
Please bring donations to our office located at 720 Rose Avenue in Venice, Mon - Fri 10am-2pm. |
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According to the 2015 LAHSA Greater LA Homeless Count, among the unsheltered population, the number of tents, makeshift shelters, and vehicles increased by 85% from 2013.
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Kendelle Milton is the Services Coordinator for Resident Services and After School Programs. Kendelle coordinates the program at Oakwood Recreation Center, our Teen Court program, and assists with resident services and case management.
Kendelle is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach with a degree in Liberal Studies and a minor in Spanish.
Prior to VCH, she spent a year traveling as a Missionary in Mexico, Canada, and South Africa. She is currently very involved at St. John's Presbyterian Church as a mentor, Deacon Chair, and Youth Leader.
In her free time, Kendelle (recently married!!) enjoys spending time with her husband, camping, running, and doing puzzles!
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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!
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