Union Station Homeless Services held a Food Drive to prepare meals as part of the 50th Dinner In The Park celebration to feed a full holiday meal to those in need. The organization is reaching out to the community for three Thanksgiving staples: turkeys, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.
Although the pandemic has made the traditional massive meal at Central Park impossible, the 50th annual event continued with the distribution of meal boxes “with all the fixings” for those with access to kitchens, as well as prepared, pre-portioned meals, according to Union Station.
The Board of Directors of Union Station Homeless Services teamed up with Pasadena Hugs to give every team member a $25 gift card for a meal at a minority-owned Pasadena restaurant, As a thank-you to the staff for all their work during this pandemic working with those experiencing homelessness.
Joining the celebration were Board Chair Kevin Trieber, Board Members Marie Queen and Lonnie Schield, Anne Miskey, CEO and members of the Innovations and Excellence Steering Committee (IESC), a staff-driven committee that looks to uphold the vision, mission and values of the organization.
“The Board wanted to find a unique and special way to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to the staff for all they have done during these unprecedented times,” stated Kevin Trieber, Union Station Homeless Services Board Chair.
The third webinar in the series from Union Station Homeless Services tackles designing and building inclusive cities
How can we build better cities with inclusive housing for all? What can we learn from urban design and city planning successes from around the globe and locally? What is the perspective of those who have lived with homelessness?
A lively discussion about these and other questions will be the focus of the Changing the Narrative Series: Building Better Cities on January 25 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
Anne Miskey, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services, will moderate three guest speakers:
Vinayak Bharne, urban design and city planning practitioner, adjunct associate professor at USC School of Architecture, Principal and Director of Design at Moule & Polyzoides Architects and Urbanists and on the Union Station Board of Directors.
Steve PonTell, CEO and President of National CORE, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit developers of affordable and senior housing.
Shawn Morrissey, Senior Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement at Union Station Homeless Services.
This is the third installment in the Changing the Narrative Series, a free educational series created by Union Station Homeless Services to deepen community understanding of homelessness and housing. In Building Better Cities, this panel of experts will discuss global best practices in housing planning, inclusive housing practices for all, and the obstacles faced by housing developers in today’s market as well as those attempting to access affordable housing. With the added perspective of those who have experienced homelessness, the 90-minute webinar will also address advocating for affordable housing in today’s chaotic market.
Union Station Homeless Services announced today that Dana Bean has been promoted to Chief Development and Communications Officer reporting directly to CEO Anne Miskey as senior member of the organization’s Executive Team.
In this new role, she will continue to expand the work of her DevCom team in leading the organization’s diverse fundraising and communications efforts, including foundation and government grants, major gifts, corporate partnerships, direct mail, special events, public relations, and brand management.
“Dana Bean has been with Union Station for over 14 years, and during that time she has been instrumental in helping sustain our organization by building our resources and advancing our mission-driven strategy and communications,” said Anne Miskey, CEO. “She is an integral part of our senior executive team and brings, not only her skills, but great passion and heart to the job.”
Ms. Bean joined Union Station in 2006 and has held a number of roles over the years including grant writer, communications manager, and director of development. She earned a bachelor’s from UCLA and holds a Master of Public Administration with a certificate in Nonprofit Sector Management from California State University Northridge. She is a credentialed grant professional with a certificate from Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI) and is currently completing a certification in Strategic Public Relations and Brand Management at UCLA.
An annual Thanksgiving dinner hosted by a Pasadena- based homeless services provider will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year, and interested volunteers are urged to sign up beginning Wednesday.
“While this year might bring unique methods of celebrating Thanksgiving, there still is one distinct purpose: to feed those in need with a full holiday meal,” Union Station Homeless Services said in a statement.
Union Station’s Dinner in the Park is traditionally held as a large, celebratory gathering, but this year, strict adherence to COVID-19 public health orders will be observed
Some dinners and dinner kits with all the fixings will be handed out in advance, while smaller, private dinners will be held on Thanksgiving at multiple centers serving homeless individuals.
Organizers urged would-be volunteers to sign up early, as past opportunities have filled up within 24 hours. This year, spots are very limited.
Volunteers will help Union Station Homeless Services with food sorting, preparation, cooking, packaging and serving. Three different opportunities to volunteer — on Nov. 11, 25 or 26 — are available.
On Nov. 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., volunteers can help with no- contact distribution of meal supply boxes for residents with access to a kitchen who want to cook their own Thanksgiving meals. Prepared meals will be handed out on the day before Thanksgiving, during the same hours.
Volunteers can also help staff festive sit-down dinners on Thanksgiving Day for residents at Union Station’s Adult Center, Family Center and Centennial Place. The dinner will not be open to the public. Volunteer hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and all locations are in Pasadena.
Anyone unable to pick up a volunteer slot in time can also donate items from an online wish list available on the website.
Union Station is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families.
Changing the Narrative Series: Does Housing Really End Homelessness?
Pasadena, CA August 31, 2020 – The second webinar in the Changing the Narrative Series: Does Housing Really End Homelessness features Dr. Sam Tsemberis, the internationally recognized pioneer of the groundbreaking Housing First philosophy. The webinar series is brought to you by Union Station Homeless Services and will be held on September 30, from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
A sought-after speaker, Tsemberis is recognized internationally for his commitment and advocacy to ending homelessness for people with mental illness and addiction. He will hold an interactive conversation with panelists and viewers on why housing is the key to healthier people, happier communities and decreased homelessness.
Discussion points will range from what is it like to experience the Housing First model when looking to get off the streets to addressing if the model is replicable across the San Gabriel Valley and the U.S.
Featured speakers include:
Sam Tsemberis, pioneer of the groundbreaking Housing First philosophy; CEO of Pathways to Housing, an organization he founded in 1992 based on the belief that housing is a basic human right.
Cynthia Kirby, Administrative Assistant First Baptist Church Pasadena, formerly homeless now housed for 5 years.
Anne Miskey, CEO, Union Station Homeless Services, providing homeless services for 32 cities throughout the San Gabriel Valley, the largest Service Planning Area in Los Angeles County.
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 believes every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With more than 45 years of experience, Union Station proudly offers a holistic continuum of programs throughout the San Gabriel Valley including street outreach, intake assessments, bridge and permanent housing, care coordination, employment, and community integration services.
