Union Station Leads SGV Coordinated Entry System (SGVCOG Valley Voice)

CES team

Union Station’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) team will help connect homeless individuals and families to the proper services and homes and provide the assistance necessary to keep them in their homes.

The award winning programs offered by the Union Station Homeless Services are being expanded to communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley through partnerships with the United Way and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Union Station will serve as the lead agency for the region’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) and the Homeless Family Solutions System (HFSS), a regional collaborative effort to match homeless individuals and families to the correct services and housing. More than 50 social services agencies operating in the region are supporting this effort to end chronic, veteran and family homelessness.

Founded in 1973 by a group of community volunteers, Union Station was opened as a hospitality center to serve poor and homeless men in downtown Pasadena. Since then, Union Station has grown and is now recognized as part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. Union Station is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. Union Station has helped rebuild the lives of thousands of people who were once homeless and without hope.
Union Station will work with its 52 partner agencies to offer a continuum of programs and services, including street outreach, intake and assessment, care coordination and navigation, housing, and referrals to medical and mental health services, among other services, in seven locations in the San Gabriel Valley. These services will now be available to the cities in the San Gabriel Valley.

Over the next several months, the SGVCOG staff will be working with Union Station representatives to coordinate a series of workshops and training programs for local elected and appointed officials, as well as employees from law enforcement, fire, human services and recreation departments to educate them on the various programs and services available and how to access services. Workshops will also be scheduled for representatives of religious organizations, schools and other community based groups to engage these groups in referring individuals and families in need of service.

For more information on the programs and services offered by the Union Station Homeless Services, please visit www.unionstationhs.org.

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Volunteers collect data on Pasadena homeless population (Pasadena Star News)

Pasadena Star News_logo

PASADENA >> Dozens of volunteers and officials scoured the streets and shelters of Pasadena on Wednesday to document the local homeless population with the goal of improving services and reducing homelessness.

In addition to merely counting the number of people living without homes, volunteers collect demographic and background information — such as age, history of mental illness or military service — to gain insight into the current level of need and target resources to those areas, said Fuller Theological Seminary Office for Urban Initiatives Director Joe Colletti said.

“A good example is veterans,” he said. “In 2011, we counted 104 (homeless) veterans. And last year, the number was down to 38. We’re making huge progress with homeless veterans.”

Pasadena Homeless County Results, 2011-2013

YEAR: Counted homeless population

2011: 1,216

2012: 904

2013: 772

2014: 666

*Information based on Pasadena Homeless County

The results of the 2015 count aren’t expected to be available until March, Colletti said. But previous count showed a steadily decreasing homeless population in Pasadena between 2011, when homeless spiked at 1,216 people counted. The 2014 homeless county found 666 homeless people living in Pasadena, down 45 percent, Colletti said.

Pasadena adopted a 10-year plan to combat homelessness in 2005, Colletti said. The 2015 count will provide insight into how well the plan has worked.

Fuller Theological Seminary helped organize much of the count for the city, along with the Pasadena Partnership to End Homelessness, Colletti said.

Count volunteers divided into teams and split the city into 16 sectors to systematically search. The neighborhood checks were primarily conducted early in the morning, then again Wednesday night. Pasadena police and officials from Union Station homeless service also took part in the count, checking parks and other areas no searched by the volunteers.

Volunteers Mayra Macido-Nolan, who serves as community outreach pastor at the Lake Avenue Church, and Dave Klug, of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, teamed up to fill out surveys north of Colorado Boulevard, between Los Robles and Fair Oaks Avenue Wednesday night.

They found seven homeless people, all of them adults. Two were sleeping, and most declined to answer detailed survey questions.

Macido-Nolan and Klug performed a patrol of the same route early Wednesday morning.

As the rolled her wheelchair near the Pasadena Public Library, Allie, who asked that her last name be withheld, shared her experience in her 14 months on the streets of Pasadena.

She now sleeps under the stars in the company of friends. She said she doesn’t like the shelters because they’re too crowded and she’s been stolen from at them.

Allie said she was skeptical of numbers showing a decreasing homeless population in Pasadena, as she hasn’t found that to be the case in her experience. “There’s so many people that struggle,” she said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brian Day
Reach the author at Brian.Day@sgvn.com or follow Brian on Twitter: @sgvcrime.

Dodgers’ 12th Annual Community Caravan Presented by Bank of America Continues Tomorrow with Dodger Alumni

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers this week are serving the greater Los Angeles community on their 12th annual Community Service Caravan, Pitching in the Community presented by Bank of America. This week-long civic engagement initiative which began today includes participation from Dodger players, alumni and employees and Bank of America volunteers and will continue through Friday, January 30.

 

Tomorrow through Thursday, Dodger alumni Al Downing, Al FerraraLee LacyKenny LandreauxTim LearyMatt Luke,Dennis PowellDerrel Thomas and Steve Yeager will lead the Dodgers’ day of Pitching in the CommunityJustin Turner will make a special appearance in his hometown of Long Beach on Wednesday.

The Dodgers’ Pitching in the Community presented by Bank of America is a week-long civic engagement initiative where Dodger players, alumni and employees and Bank of America volunteers join together in partnership with community-based organizations to help promote and support work that is positively changing the lives of children, teens and adults in greater Los Angeles. Through this initiative, the Dodgers continue to build on their tradition of community service with the goal of inspiring youth and adults to play, learn, live and serve.

Pitching in the Community also officially launches the Dodgers’ 2015 community relations work. As part of the cultural fabric of Los Angeles, the Dodgers seek to enhance their responsibility to every segment of the L.A. community through meaningful partnerships, programs and events. Community organizations interested in learning more can visit www.dodgers.com/community or can contact the Dodgers’ community relations department by emailing community1@ladodgers.com.

Tuesday, January 27:

Day two of Pitching in the Community will feature Dodger alumni Downing, Lacy, Leary and Powell, Dodger employees and Bank of America volunteers who will visit Hollenbeck Middle School for a project with City Year. City Year works to bridge the gap in high-poverty communities between the support that students actually need and what their schools are designed and resourced to provide. In doing so, they are helping to increase graduation rates across the country and changing the lives of the students served.

2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.            

Hollenbeck Middle School

2510 East 6th Street, Los Angeles, 90023

The Dodgers and Bank of America will visit Hollenbeck Middle School to engage with City Year students. They will distribute Dodger hats and T-shirts to the youngsters, then join the group of 100 students in painting the gym and stairwell. City Year students will take a photo with Dodger alumni at the conclusion of the painting project.

 

Day two of Pitching in the Community will also include a visit to the After-School All-Stars at Cesar Chavez Elementary with Dodger alumni Ferrara, Luke and Powell, Dodger employees and Bank of America volunteers. After-School All-Stars Los Angeles educates, enlightens and inspires young people by providing dynamic and exciting opportunities for success, while cultivating self-esteem, leadership and respect to help build healthier communities.

2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.           

 After-School All-Stars at Cesar Chavez Elementary

6139 Loveland Street, Bell Gardens, 90201

The Dodgers and Bank of America will join 130 third and fifth graders who are part of the After-School All-Stars program at Cesar Chavez Elementary for afterschool activities: basketball, ceramics, hip-hop dance, soccer and science projects. The youngsters will also receive Dodger hats and T-shirts. The Dodger character will also be on hand at Cesar Chavez Elementary.

 

Wednesday, January 28

Dodger alumni Lacy and Leary, Dodger employees and Bank of America volunteers will partake in day three of Pitching in the Community with a visit to Project Angel Food. Project Angel Food cooks and delivers more than 500,000 nutritious meals each year, 10,000 meals a week, free of charge, to the homes of men, women, and children effected by life-threatening illnesses. The vital food and nutrition services, including medically tailored meals and nutritional counseling, help underserved people throughout LA County who are too sick to shop or cook for themselves. Created in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, they expanded their mission in 2004 to help their neighbors who are struggling with any life-threatening illness burdened by hunger and malnutrition.

8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.          

Project Angel Food

922 Vine Street, Los Angeles, 90038

The Dodgers and Bank of America will join Project Angel Food in preparing 1,200 meals for delivery to individuals suffering from life-threatening illnesses in greater Los Angeles who are in need of nutritious meals. The group will work in prep, cooking and packing stations. Project Angel Food will also receive Dodger aprons, hats and T-shirts.

 

Dodger alumni Ferrara and Powell, Dodger employees and Bank of America volunteers will also complete a service project at the Downtown Women’s Center as part of day three of Pitching in the Community. Downtown Women’s Center is nationally recognized as a prototype for unique and effective programs serving homeless women and ending homelessness and is one of the first organizations to pioneer permanent supportive housing a proven and cost-effective model to ending homelessness. Services include meals, personalized case management, an on-site medical clinic, health workshops and screenings, computer literacy, government benefits advocacy, support groups, job counseling and self-expression classes.

9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Downtown Women’s Center

442 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, 90013

The Dodgers and Bank of America will prepare meals and serve lunch to the women and children currently in need of the services that Downtown Women’s Center offers. The group will also receive Dodger aprons, hats and T-shirts.

 

Dodger alumni Landreaux and Luke, Dodger employees and Bank of America volunteers will also serve the community of Long Beach at the Long Beach Rescue Mission. Justin Turner will join the group in serving his hometown. Long Beach Rescue Mission is a place of healing and hope serving the greater Long Beach community by improving the quality of life of the hurting and homeless through loving and equipping them to be reconciled to God, self, family and society.

 

10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Long Beach Rescue Mission

1430 Pacific Avenue Long Beach, 90813

The Dodgers and Bank of America will prepare meals, set tables and assist in the Long Beach Rescue Mission’s meal service program. The Long Beach Rescue Mission will also receive Dodger aprons, hats and T-shirts.

 

Day three of Pitching in the Community concludes with a service project at Union Station Homeless Services in Pasadena with Dodger alumni Downing and Yeager, Dodger employees and Bank of America volunteers. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in the Pasadena community and is San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. Union Station Homeless Services distribute approximately 3,000 meals per month.

10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.         

Union Station Homeless Services

Adult Center

412 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, 91104

The Dodgers and Bank of America will distribute Dodger aprons, hats and T-Shirts then work in preparing approximately 300 meals for two different meal shifts. The group will also assist in clean-up duty before concluding this service project.

 

Thursday, January 29

Dodger alumni Landreaux, Leary, Powell and Thomas, Dodger employees and Bank of America volunteers will partake in day four ofPitching in the Community with a visit to LAPD’s Harbor Division Station in San Pedro. In order to show gratitude to the many officers who keep Los Angeles safe, the group will join officers for a tour of the Harbor Division station and enjoy lunch together. The group will be joined by Councilmember Joe Buscaino. Located at the entrance of the Port of Los Angeles, the busiest port in the Western Hemisphere, Harbor Community Police Station serves as a beacon, ensuring the safe passage for all those who live and work in the area. Harbor Area has a population of approximately 171,000, encompasses 27 square miles, the largest area in South Bureau, and is home to four distinct communities: San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City and the Harbor Gateway.

11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

LAPD Harbor Division Station

2175 John S. Gibson Blvd. San Pedro, 90731

The Dodgers and Bank of America will be welcomed by Captain III Gerald Woodyard, take a group photo, learn about the history of the LAPD Harbor Division Station and take a tour with officers. The group will also enjoy a catered lunch with the officers and distribute Dodger hats and T-shirts.

Members of the media interested in attending community events tomorrow through Thursday should contact the Dodgers’ Public Relations department by replying to this email or calling (323) 224-1301.

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About Bank of America

Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community.

The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with six World Series championships and 21 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence.  The Dodgers are dedicated to supporting a culture of winning baseball, providing a first-class, fan-friendly experience at Dodger Stadium, and building a strong partnership with the community. With the highest cumulative fan attendance in Major League Baseball history, and a record of breaking barriers, the Dodgers are one of the most cherished sports franchises in the world.

Visit the Dodgers online at www.dodgers.com, follow them on Twitter @Dodgers and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Dodgers.

For media information, visit www.dodgerspressbox.com.  

A Proud Company Tradition for Decades

A Proud Company Tradition for Decades

Dilbeck Real Estate once again held its Annual “Winter Charity Clothing Drive” from November 3rd through December 10th. Sales Partners from Dilbeck’s 14 offices contributed warm clothing and blankets to those in need, benefiting the following charities: Union Station Homeless Services, The Salvation Army, San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, Assistance League of Santa Clarita and Fibber McGee Closet National Charity League. Dilbeck Sales Partners collected dozens of bags filled to the brim with warm clothing, blankets, socks and shoes. Sales Partner, Thomas Atamian with the Estate Partners, personally donated dozens of colorful blankets.

The overwhelming generosity from the Sales Partners throughout the San Gabriel, San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Conejo Valleys was once again above & beyond everyone’s expectations.  “Every year keeps on getting better! A big thank you for all the help and support to Union Station Homeless Services once again, I counted  64 big bags,” stated David Sensente, In-Kind Donations Manager with Union Station Homeless Service.

Mark Dilbeck, President of  Dilbeck Realtors, stated, “The Clothing Drive has been a tradition at Dilbeck Real Estate for years, and I am proud that this year we have significantly surpassed our donations of previous years. Thank you to our local community, agents and staff who support this effort and give so generously to the communities we serve.”

Dilbeck Real Estate is a community of Real Estate professio­nals dedicated to always making a difference, and once again they did!

For more information please contact Dilbeck Real Estate   818/790-6774

 

Photo left to right:

Brenda Bowles, Public Relations for Dilbeck Realtors and  David Sensente, In-Kind Donations Manager for Union Station.