Changing the Narrative: Aging Without a Home Webinar Tackles the Issues of a Growing Population of Homeless Seniors
California is facing an unprecedented crisis of people in their 50s, 60s and 70s living on our streets. A recent study* found people over 50 now account for half of unhoused adults and nearly half became homeless for the first time after the age of 50.
The upcoming Changing the Narrative Series: Aging Without a Home on Thursday, May 26th, 12 noon to 1:30 pm will directly address the unique challenges of an aging homeless population. Register to join the Zoom webinar at https://unionstationhs.org/CNS8M and learn about the implications of older adults becoming a growing proportion of the homeless population.
“Tragically, 90 percent of unsheltered older adults lived in Los Angeles County prior to becoming unsheltered. These are our neighbors who have lived and worked in our communities for years but now are being forced out into the streets in their senior years,” states Anne Miskey, CEO, Union Station Homeless Services.
Anne Miskey, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services, will moderate a panel of three experts to explore if, as a society, we are ready for the more complex needs of older adults being unsheltered.
Yelba Carrillo, Ed.D – Sr Manager, Homeless Systems Change (Seniors) Home for Good, United Way
Yelba Carrillo has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector working with the Older Adult, Veteran, and the LGBTQIA+ communities in Los Angeles. Her experience includes community organization, planning, administration, and direct service. She has been with United Way of Greater Los Angeles since 2020 and in the last year co-authored and oversaw the implementation of United Way’s The Older Adult Strategy: A Roadmap of Strategic System Investments to End Homelessness Among Older Adults in LA.
Dr. Dennis Culhane, Professor, School of Social Policy & Practice, University of Pennsylvania
Dennis Culhane is a social science researcher with primary expertise in the area of homelessness and assisted housing policy. His research has focused on using linked administrative data to gain a better understanding about the service utilization patterns of vulnerable populations, including youth exiting foster care and/or juvenile justice, as well as the individuals aged 55 and older who are experiencing homelessness.
Alfred “AJ” Johnson,Lived Expertise Advocate and Retired Journeyman Carpenter
As a man with lived expertise, AJ brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to this panel discussion around the growing epidemic that is Senior Homelessness. A 72-year-old who is retired and on a fixed income, AJ had rented a room in a large house for $850 where he shared a bathroom and kitchen with the other tenants. After his landlord evicted everyone to subdivide the rooms, AJ lived in a van for two years. Currently he is living in his own apartment with supportive services in Arcadia.
“To truly meet the needs of the individual, we must also address and educate the public about social issues that are at the root of homelessness. Our call to action is encapsulated in the series name and is the goal of each session — Changing the Narrative,” stated Anne Miskey, CEO Union Station Homeless Services.
This is the eighth in the Changing the Narrative Series, a free educational series created by Union Station Homeless Services to deepen community understanding of homelessness and housing. Recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the Most Innovative Awareness Campaign within the Los Angeles community, recordings of past webinars and action resource guides can be accessed at https://unionstationhs.org/changing-the-narrative-series/.
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Union Station Homeless Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to
providing permanent solutions to end homelessness and rebuild lives. Headquartered in
Pasadena, CA, Union Station has been in existence for almost 50 years. Union Station is the San
Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and
families. Recently expanding into El Sereno and Eagle Rock, we are the lead county agency for
Service Planning Area 3 (SPA 3), coordinating homeless services in 36 communities, with a
combined population of over 1.5 million across the San Gabriel Valley. Our mission is guided by
the belief that everyone deserves a life of dignity and a place to call home. For more
information, visit www.unionstationhs.org.
*”Aging Among the Homeless Population: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions”
Study by UC San Francisco expert Dr. Margot Kushel
Pasadena, CA April 12, 2021 – Union Station Homeless Services announced today that Amanda Green has been promoted to Chief Operations Officer reporting directly to CEO Anne Miskey as senior member of the organization’s Executive Team.
In this new role, she will continue to oversee and expand the work of her 18-person team which is responsible for Volunteer Services, IT, Food Services, Facilities & Capital Improvements, Office Administration, Event Management and In-Kind Donations.
“Amanda Green has continuously demonstrated her commitment to the mission and values of Union Station, as well as shown true excellence in her work,” said Anne Miskey, CEO. “She is a valued asset to our leadership team and will continue to help us end homelessness for our neighbors in Pasadena and the San Gabriel Valley.”
Ms. Green has been with Union Station since 2012, and during that time she has held several key positions, including Development Manager, Associate Director of Development, Director of Operations and Sr. Director of Operations. In addition, she served as Event Director and then Executive Event Director for Masters of Taste, a premier outdoor food and beverage festival with 100 % of the event proceeds benefiting Union Station.
Prior to joining Union Station, Ms. Green worked at Stone House, a safe haven for adult and child survivors of domestic abuse, as the Development Assistant, Development & Community Relations Coordinator, Assistant Director of Development and Interim Director of Development.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University as well as Graduate Certificates in Professional Fundraising from Boston University and Non Profit Management from University of Texas, Austin.
The rise in homelessness is the result of decades of policy choices, not bad choices by those experiencing homelessness. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of homeless will skyrocket. Now is the time to refocus attention on making fundamental changes to the systems in order to address this dire situation.
Recognizing that our systems have failed people,Changing the Narrative Series: Broken Systems, Not Broken People is a webinar conversation that will delve into the systemic changes needed to end the homeless crisis. The event will take place on April 29 from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. Register at: https://unionstationhs.org/event/changing-the-narrative-series-broken-systems-not-broken-people/.
Moderating the webinar will be Anne Miskey, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services (the leading homeless services provider for 32 cities throughout the San Gabriel Valley). She will be leading the discussion with three prominent panelists who will discuss how broken systems, not broken people, are the causes of homelessness and how to change those systems to be equitable for all members of society.
Nan Roman, President and CEO at National Alliance to End Homelessness – Nan will examine the pending changes and resources available to positively impact the critical lack of societal safety nets on a national level.
Chris Ko, Vice President of Impact & Strategy at United Way of Greater Los Angeles – Chris will discuss how we can address the barriers as well as the shortage of housing units in the Los Angeles region.
Cynthia Kirby, Administrative Assistant First Baptist Church Pasadena, LEAP member, Union Station Homeless Services Board of Directors – Cynthia will share her experience with the broken systems that led to her experience of being homeless.
This is the fourth in the Changing the Narrative Series, a free educational series created by Union Station Homeless Services to deepen community understanding of homelessness and housing. Recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the Most Innovative Awareness Campaign within the Los Angeles community, recording of past webinars and action resource guides can be accessed at https://unionstationhs.org/changing-the-narrative-series/.
Union Station Homeless Services announced today the promotion of Shawn Morrissey, to Senior Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement, as a senior member of the organization’s Executive Team reporting directly to CEO Anne Miskey.
In this role, Shawn continues to lead the advocacy work of Union Station, advocating for best practices and policies around homelessness, service provision, housing, and housing accessibility and sustainability. He also heads up USHS’s Advocacy Committee, as well as the Lived Expertise Advisory Panel (LEAP), a diverse group of current and formerly unhoused individuals who share insights on decision making and policies at the organization, county, and state level.
Shawn is a licensed California State Substance Use Disorder Specialist and also holds a Harm Reduction Certificate from York University in Toronto, Canada. As a practitioner of the Housing First model, Shawn brings his experience and knowledge of the best practices and evidence-based models that are crucial to solving homelessness and creating stability and sustainability in vulnerable populations. In his daily work, Shawn continues to expand the department to further influence public opinion on issues related to housing, ending homelessness, and creating accessible and effective resources for all people
“Shawn brings extensive knowledge of the issues involved in addressing homelessness, with 17 years of experience in the field of homeless advocacy, service provision, and social justice,” said Anne Miskey, CEO.“When you couple this expertise with his unique perspective as a trauma survivor who experienced homelessness, you have the ideal person to build the bridge between marginalized and vulnerable communities and faith and civic leaders, the police, elected officials, and the broader community.”
Having worked at Union Station Homeless Services from 2004 to 2008, Shawn returned in 2015 to run several of the Permanent Supportive Housing Programs, as the Associate Director of Permanent Supportive Housing. Interim to that, he served as Program Manager at Housing Works where he worked alongside and mentored under Los Angeles Homeless services pioneer, Mollie Lowery.
EL SERENO, CA — Union Station Homeless Services, in partnership with the office of LA City Councilmember Kevin de León and National Community Renaissance, are hosting a webinar for the residents of El Sereno.A Way Home: A Community Conversation about housing and homelessness in El Sereno will was held on February 10 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.For more information and to register, go to LINK.
This community webinar will explore the questions of who is experiencing homelessness in El Sereno; What is being done to end homelessness in our neighborhood; What else still needs to be done; and how can you help?
The five expert panelists include Councilmember Kevin de León, El Sereno Council District 14; Henry Lo, Mayor Pro Tem, Monterey Park; Steve PonTell, CEO, National Community Renaissance Anne Miskey, CEO, Union Station Homeless Services; and Shawn Morrissey, Senior Director of Advocacy, Union Station Homeless Services.
The goal of the webinar and Q&A session is to dispel myths and misconceptions about homelessness and promote a culture of inclusion and community in support of housing solutions in the community.
“We are proud to be part of the conversation and effort in El Sereno to address the issue of homelessness in a holistic manner.”“As a community, we can address homelessness through a coordinated approach that both maintains the wonderful heritage of the El Sereno community and addresses interim and permanent housing solutions.” – said Anne Miskey, CEO Union Station Homeless Services
Union Station Homeless Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is committed to providing permanent solutions to end homelessness and rebuild lives. Headquartered in Pasadena, Ca, Union Station is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. Union Station Homelessness Services has been in existence for almost 50 years. We are the lead county agency for SPA 3, coordinating homeless services in 32 communities, with a combined population of over 1.5 million across the San Gabriel Valley. Our mission is guided by the belief that everyone deserves a life of dignity and a place to call home. For more information, visit www.unionstationhs.org.
To mark the 50th Anniversary of Dinner In The Park, a beloved holiday tradition, and adhere to COVID-19 safety standards, Union Station Homeless Services will be serving Thanksgiving meals differently this year. A week before the holiday, the organization will be distributing Thanksgiving “All the Fixings” Meal Boxes to clients who have access to a kitchen and want to cook their own meal at home for the holidays.
When: Wednesday, November 18
10:00 am to 11:30 am
What: Volunteers and kitchen staff will distribute boxes at Drive-up and Walk-up lines
No-contact pick-up
Where: Union Station Homeless Services Adult Center
412 S Raymond Avenue
Pasadena
Why: This year instead of one of the traditional community meal in the park, Union
Station Homeless Services will serve Thanksgiving meals in three ways to clients. 1) Thanksgiving “All the Fixings” Meal Supply Boxes a week before the holidays, November 18, for clients to cook at home.2) Thanksgiving Prepared Meals the day before the holidays, November 25, for reheating at home. 3) A private dinner on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, for the residents at the Adult Center and Family Center.
The Thanksgiving “All the Fixings” Meal Supply Boxes are filled with the key ingredients needed for a delicious meal, including turkey, stuffing, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, gravy, canned corn, and cranberries sauce. The boxes also come with tips and tricks from our amazing Food Services staff on how to prepare a Thanksgiving feast.
The rise in homelessness is the result of decades of policy choices, not bad choices by those experiencing homelessness. Due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of homeless will skyrocket. Now is the time to refocus attention on making fundamental changes to the systems in order to address this dire situation.
