Union Station Homeless Services CEO John Brauer said at a Rotary Club luncheon Wednesday that Pasadena is on track to eliminate homelessness in the city within the next ten years, despite an uptick in the 2017 homeless count which saw a slight increase this year following five years of steep decline.
Brauer was appointed to his position at the nonprofit earlier this year and is optimistic about the organization’s role in being at the forefront of providing a full spectrum of services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Pasadena and throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
“People are tired of homelessness,” said Union Station Homeless Services CEO John Brauer. “Our goal is within the next ten years to end homelessness itself in Pasadena and throughout the San Gabriel Valley. It’s not that many people. Even though the challenges are large, this is our time, this is our place and we’re going to do that.”
Union Station Homeless Services operates nine major programs throughout the San Gabriel Valley and provides a full continuum of care to help the homeless community members become stable and self-sufficient.
There are approximately 4,000 homeless individuals living in the San Gabriel Valley.
According to the 2017 Pasadena Homeless Count conducted last January, the City experienced a slight increase in the number of homeless as the count rose over last year’s from 530 to 575, but still significantly fewer than the peak of 1,216 recorded homeless in 2011.
While this increase might seem alarming to some, Brauer says there is a reasonable explanation.
“This year was an unusual year for Pasadena in that a lot of the shelters in our surrounding cities were closed [at the time the count was conducted] and we saw for the first time that all of our homeless shelters were full,” explained Brauer.
Chronic homelessness in Pasadena was reduced by 15 percent last year, Brauer said.
Pasadena also achieved functional zero count for veterans as well as for unsheltered homeless families.
“For the first time we have no homeless families right now living on the street and the goal is to keep it that way,” said Brauer.
Union Station’s broader mission to help individuals beyond Pasadena and throughout the entire County may be more accessible than ever before due to Measure M, which could raise an estimated $355 million annually for 10 years to help pay for the supportive services needed by the chronically homeless people.
“It’s such an exciting time because I think we are going to be able to make a significant difference in terms of the folks that we’re able to serve,” said Brauer.
County officials estimate that the expanded services could lift 45,000 families and individuals out of homelessness in five years and prevent an additional 30,000 people from becoming homeless in the first place, according to the L.A. Times.
“It’s really designed around supportive services and, frankly, if we are going to get people off the street, part of that is to give them the supportive services,” said Brauer.
Union Station recently began implementing a new outreach model to engage homeless individuals rather than waiting for them to seek out services.
“What we do now is a really different system for how we outreach. We go where you are,” explained Brauer about the organization’s new initiative to connect with the homeless population more efficiently.
People who are homeless are able to access a cell phone within the first 24 hours of being identified as homeless and can call 211 to contact Union Station Homeless Services directly, according to Brauer.
“We will come to you and figure out what you need. The idea is that we don’t want you live on the streets where it’s not safe. We really want to help you get off the street and get going,” said Brauer. “We can’t wait for them to come to us — we’ve got to go out to them and we’ve got to solve that problem sooner or later,” explained Brauer.
The homeless count in Pasadena has dropped by 54 percent since 2009 and, according to Brauer, will only continue to drop each year.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that we’re going to make that a functional zero number,” said Brauer. “Any homelessness in Pasadena is within grasp. This is going to happen in the next ten years.”
Community Council: Union Station Homeless Services
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 our community. They are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. Since 1973, Union Station has helped rebuild the lives of thousands of people who were once homeless and without hope.
This year, UHSH is hosting a Dinner In The Park at Pasadena Central Park on Christmas Day! This incredible community event provides thousands of holiday meals and hope for all who attend, including homeless men, women, children, seniors, very low-income families, and those with no place to go during the holidays. The impact of this event in the community is huge!
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Tents used by the homeless line a downtown Los Angeles street with the skyline behind Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015.DAMIAN DOVARGANES/AP
While L.A.’s homeless population grows, the question looms of how to handle giving to those in need, especially during the holiday season.
According to the Los Angeles Almanac, there are over 44,000 transients living in Los Angeles County.
Rabbi Marvin Gross, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services, offered a few best practices for donating during the holidays, and during every season.
His advice?
Refrain from donating cash “Unfortunately when folks are out there asking for money, it’s hard to know what uses they are going to put it to,” Gross said.
Buy food for the hungry. Gross suggested that in lieu of donating money, take a person in need to a restaurant, or bring them some food.
Give your money to organizations. Another option Gross gave is to opt for donating to charitable organizations that work with the homeless population in Los Angeles, like Union Station Homeless Services.
Volunteer your time. Eliminating money from the equation all together, another way to be charitable is to volunteer for organizations that help the homeless. Gross said that Union Station Homeless Services has volunteers every day, and there is information about getting involved on its website, unionstationhs.org. Other organizations to volunteer with include Los Angeles Mission and Union Rescue Mission.
Guest:
Rabbi Marvin Gross, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services
To spread holiday cheer and joy, hundreds of volunteers of all ages will gather together on Christmas Day to serve meals at Union Station Homeless Services’ 43rd annual Dinner-in-the-Park.
For more than four decades, this beloved tradition has been a staple event for the community during the holiday season.
Donned in hairnets, gloves and welcoming smiles, hundreds of volunteers will serve warm holiday meals to all who are hungry at Pasadena’s Central Park on Christmas Day.
“The event brings the community together!” said Ginger Mort, member of the Los Angeles Disney VoluntEAR Leadership Council and a Union Station Dinner-in-the-Park volunteer since 2001. “Even if it is for one day, hopefully one day leads to another and another and so on and so on!”
Union Station Homeless Services and its volunteers served more than 3,500 plates of food on Thanksgiving, and the agency expects to serve an additional 1,500 plates of food on Christmas Day.
Meal recipients will include adults and families experiencing homelessness and poverty, senior citizens, and those who are alone at the holidays or unable to afford a holiday meal.
In addition to volunteers, the event is made possible thanks to generous partners:
Tsutayo Ichioka & Satsuki Nakao Foundation, HomeStreet Bank, SuperKing Markets, Longo Toyota Scion Lexus, Pasadena Federal Credit Union, Dove Properties, Pasadena Convention Center, Norton Rose Fullbright, Paul Hastings, Centerplate, Chipotle, and Whole Foods.
“The Pasadena Convention Center and Centerplate is thrilled to support Union Station Homeless Services by preparing turkeys for Dinner-in-the-Park,” said Michael Ross, CEO, Pasadena Center Operating Company. “We applaud Union Station’s work to serve thousands of meals to the hungry and homeless during the holiday season and are pleased to participate in such a worthwhile cause.”
“Dinner-in-the-Park is truly a community event and simply would not be possible without the help of dedicated volunteers and dozens of businesses who make this event such a success,” said Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station.
All who are able to help are invited to donate their time, food items or funds to this incredible holiday outreach program.
• Union Station Homeless Services is still in need of non-perishable food donations.
• A wish list of items needed can be found on the event pageat https://unionstationhs.org/event/dinner-in-the-park-2015/.
• The community is invited to drop off these supplies in the indicated sizes at 412 S. Raymond, Pasadena.
• Please Note: Due to Health Department regulations, Union Station Homeless Services is no longer able to accept turkey or prepared food donations at the event.
About Union Station Homeless Services
Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. 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 our community. Headquartered in Pasadena, we are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With over 40 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of nine programs throughout the San Gabriel Valley; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.
Local outreach programs offer food, shelter to the homeless
During the winter season Pasadena gets cold at night, especially for those without a home. Several local outreach programs offer emergency shelters and other services for those looking for a place to sleep and eat.
The outreach program at Pasadena Covenant Church at 539 N. Lake Avenue offers an emergency shelter in collaboration with Friends in Deed (FID), an interfaith collaborative of different churches in the Pasadena area that’s dedicated to meeting the needs of the homeless and at-risk individuals.
“PasCov hosts the shelter in our gym,” said Vikki Randall, a pastor for the church. “Area churches share responsibilities to send volunteers and provide dinner.”
The Bad Weather shelter was activated on Nov. 27 and will be open during nights when the temperature is below 40 degrees or there is a 40 percent chance of rain. The emergency shelter will operate to until the end of February.
According to Randall, anyone who is looking for a place to stay for the night is welcome. There is no discrimination based on race, sexual orientation or disability.
“There’s a check in and they will have a cot,” said Kim Dorman, a member of Pasadena Covenant Church.
The emergency shelter opens at 8 p.m. and those that do go also receive dinner, which includes a meat dish, salad, bread, and desert. The shelter is staffed with professionals who have experience working with the homeless and mentally ill. A nurse is provided on-site to give flu shots and health evaluations.
The check out time is 6 a.m. to 6:30 am.
For those looking for more services, the Union Station Homeless Services offers a variety of outreach programs.
Since 1973, Union Station Homeless Services has served the poor and homeless population of Pasadena. Located on Raymond Avenue, the hospitality center offers services for at-risk individuals and families.
The Family Center offers shelter, meals and health services to parents and children. There is also an Adult Shelter for individuals looking for a nutritious meal and housing. Housing for both centers are on a first come, first served basis.
Union Station Homeless Services also offers permanent, supportive housing.
The center, along with Pasadena Covenant Church and 40-plus other social service agencies throughout the San Gabriel Valley, are working on ending homelessness in the area by 2016.
The Coordinated Entry System (CES) program finds housing for those that are chronically homeless with the goal of housing the most vulnerable first.
“This is an important and worthy goal, and one we are progressing towards steadily,” said Randall. “But it will take time—a lot of time—to house the 600 some homeless in Pasadena (at last census). So in the meantime we need the emergency shelter.”
Pasadena Covenant Church’s emergency shelter will be open on Christmas Eve for “Christmas at the Shelter” where they will provide a full holiday dinner.
The hotline for the Bad Weather Shelter is 1-888-915-8111.
The number for the Adult Center front desk is (626) 791-6610.
