Pasadena, CA –Union Station Homeless Services, San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency helping men, women, and children rebuild their lives and end homelessness, today announced it has been selected by the Yard House in Pasadena to receive a $1,000 grant as part of the Restaurant Community Grants program from the Darden Restaurants Foundation, the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants.
The annual grants program empowers every restaurant in the Darden family — Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Eddie V’s, Seasons 52, and Yard House — to award a $1,000 grant to an exceptional nonprofit organization in its local community and support its community programs.
The donation will enable Union Station to continue its Community Meals Program, which provides warm and nutritious cooked meals on a daily basis to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and very low-income community members.
“We are so grateful for the generous support of the Yard House and Darden Restaurants,” says Dana Bean, Director of Development with Union Station Homeless Services. “These funds will help us feed hungry men, women and children in our community.”
“We’re proud to be able to support Union Station Homeless Services through our Restaurant Community Grants program,” said Stephanie Ghertner, Director of the Darden Foundation. “Our team members are incredibly passionate about getting involved in their local communities, and this program enables them to do just that.”
The goal of Union Station’s Community Meals Program is to feed all who are hungry and come to eat. The program serves an estimated 165 unduplicated people per day, including shelter residents, people who are homeless, people living with mental or physical illness or substance use, senior citizens and low-income working people. The program provides 130,000 meals annually, including a daily breakfast and lunch for hungry community members and three meals a day for Union Station’s Adult and Family Center residents. It is Pasadena’s only free prepared meals program open daily to the community.
For additional information on Union Station Homeless Services, please visit www.unionstationhs.org.
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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. 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 seven programs in seven locations; 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.
The Darden Foundation
The Darden Restaurants, Inc. Foundation is the charitable arm of Darden Restaurants, Inc. The Darden Foundation’s mission is to maintain a spirit of service and community engagement as defining characteristics of Darden’s family of restaurants – Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s and Yard House. Since 1995, the Darden Foundation has awarded more than $71 million in grants to leading nonprofit organizations that align with its mission and community priorities: Recipe for Success®, Preservation of Natural Resources and Good Neighbor grants. Through the Darden Harvest program, Darden Restaurants has also donated more than 77 million pounds of food to hunger relief agencies across the U.S. and Canada. In 2011, the Darden Foundation introduced the Restaurant Community Grants program that is dedicated to supporting local nonprofit organizations in the hundreds of communities where we live and serve. For more information, please visit www.dardenfoundation.com.
Pasadena, CA – On Saturday, May 9 Hollywood came to Pasadena as Union Station Homeless Services took a new spin on its annual A PLACE TO CALL HOME benefit gala. The nonprofit hosted a “Tonight Show” themed evening of entertainment, comedy, music, and fun for all with a great cause.
Master of Ceremonies Gildart Jackson (The Young and the Restless, General Hospital), played the late-night talk show host for the night’s program, with actor and producer Blake Adams Bailey as the show’s announcer. One-on-one interviews were conducted with the honorees, as well as a formerly homeless individual who found a place to call home through the work of Union Station. The evening’s entertainment included musical guest Melora Hardin (The Office, Transparent), who performed an original song with Byron Miller and the Psycho Bass Band, the official house band for the night.
Over 400 guests, businesses and community leaders walked the red carpet at the Langham Huntington in Pasadena while posing for photos and enjoying a wine reception, hosted by Rob and Leslie Levy (owners of The Raymond), as they bid on silent auction items. Congresswoman Judy Chu and representatives from the office of Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich were among the many supporters attending this year’s gala. The event honored the contributions of Charlie & Rene Chiara and Jim & Tina Hart, long-time supporters and distinguished members of the entertainment industry who have used their talents to benefit the organization.
“We were thrilled with the turnout for this event as we honored the Harts and Chiaras”, says Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services. “It was our most successful ever. Gildart Jackson, Melora Hardin, Blake Bailey and the Psycho Bass Band were exceptional in adding so much entertainment and fun to a great evening.”
Over $460,000 was raised to continue the programs provided by Union Station Homeless Services to help homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives and end homelessness in the community. As the San Gabriel Valley’s largest homeless service agency, Union Station is part of a premier group of nonprofit agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our region.
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. 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 seven programs in seven locations; 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.
PASADENA, CA – On April 14, Union Station Homeless Services joined National Community Renaissance (National CORE), representatives of Los Angeles County, and the Mayor and Council Members of the City of Pasadenato celebrate the ground breaking of Mar Vista Apartments, an affordable housing development for low-income, homeless families. Mar Vista features 10 one-bedroom and 10 two bed-room units, with four units equipped for the mobility impaired and audio or visually impaired, and one unit reserved for an onsite coordinator. Other amenities include a community garden, tot lot, community room, onsite computer lab, and laundry rooms.
The project, scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2016, is a collaborative effort between Union Station Homeless Services and National CORE, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit developers of affordable housing. Funding for Mar Vista Apartments will be provided by Los Angeles Community Development Commission (LA CDC), First 5 LA, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits through the State of California, and the City of Pasadena. Union Station will provide the onsite wrap-around services to residents, such as health care, substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, and employment assistance.
“It all started with a vision from Marv Gross to provide the homeless clients they serve at Union Station with permanent housing,” says Julie Mungai, VP of Acquisitions with National CORE. The vision became a reality when William Huang, Director of Housing for the City of Pasadena, approached Union Station and National CORE about the reuse or demolition of the former Broadway Apartments, located on North Mar Vista Avenue.
The previous owner of the apartments had relocated it there from its original site near Fuller Seminary. The abandoned apartment complex fell into disrepair as efforts to preserve the building as a historic structure were constantly delayed. The construction of the Mar Vista Apartments will be a positive change for the once dilapidated lot, and will bring change for the lives of its future residents.
“This is an important neighborhood improvement project,” Victor Gordo, council member of the City of Pasadena states. “Families will soon come here and we’ll be proud when they leave here as successful members of the community.”
For over 40 years, Union Station has worked with the City of Pasadena to help individuals and families transition from homelessness. The results from Pasadena’s 2015 Homeless Count show a 5% decrease in the overall homeless population from last year, with a reduction of 48% within the past 4 years. However, while the number of people experiencing homelessness has decreased, the remaining population has greater and more extensive needs, making them more visible to the public.
“This is a critically important project,” says William Huang, the City of Pasadena’s Director of Housing and Career Services. “It will end homelessness for 19 families. If you think of 632 homeless people in a city that’s only 23 square miles, it’s still way too many people.”
“This effort has required many hands and many hearts. Mar Vista has been a labor of love,” Marv Gross, CEO of Union Station Homeless Services addressed the crowd. “We’re groundbreaking today, but this event is ground breaking because this is the first purpose built permanent housing for families in Pasadena. Families will have the opportunity to rebuild their lives. This is something we can all be proud of.”
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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. 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 41 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of eight programs in seven locations; 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.
County Contributes Over $2 Million to Develop 19 Affordable Units for Mar Vista Union Apartments
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 16, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Community Development Commission of the County of Los Angeles (CDC) joined representatives of Los Angeles County Mayor Michael D. Antonovich, the Mayor and Councilmembers of the City of Pasadena, and the Developer, National Community Renaissance, to celebrate the groundbreaking of Mar Vista Union Apartments, a new affordable housing development for First 5 LA participants and homeless families. The CDC provided a total of $2.15 million in construction and permanent financing, comprised of $950,000 in Affordable Housing Trust Funds, and $1.2 million in First 5 LA Capital Funds.
Mar Vista Union Apartments, scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2016, will provide 19 units of affordable housing. Of the total 20 units onsite, seven will be reserved for First 5 LA families with a child aged 0-5, with at least one member of the household who is, or was, involved with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and who is homeless or at risk of homelessness. The remaining 12 units will be reserved for homeless families, as well as one for the onsite manager. There will be two fullyaccessible units for the mobility impaired and two units for the audio or visually impaired. Mar Vista Union Apartments will feature a community room with a computer lab, a tot lot, and a community garden. The site will also include laundry rooms and private patios. Union Station Homeless Services will provide services to the residents such as health care, substance abuse counseling, mental health counseling, and employment assistance.
Sean Rogan, CDC Executive Director said, “Every day without permanent housing is an impediment to a family’s ability to thrive. This is especially true for those with young children who need stability through their formative years. We are proud to be part of a project that will provide the services needed for families who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness, to feel welcomed, supported, and secure.”
Mar Vista Union Apartments is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver designation and will exceed state energy requirements by 15%, inaddition to including drought-tolerant landscaping and energy efficiency appliances.
For more information on the development of Mar Vista Union Apartments, please contact Christy Schroeder, Event Manager for National Community Renaissance, at (909) 204-3423. All media may contact Elisa Vásquez, Public Information Officer for the CDC, at (626) 586-1762.
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Pansy Yee, Manager of the CDC’s Economic and Housing Development Division, addresses the crowd regarding the future Mar Vista Union Apartments.
– See more at: http://california.realestaterama.com/2015/04/16/new-affordable-housing-development-for-homeless-families-breaks-ground-in-pasadena-ID03211.html#sthash.7lhIVbs1.dpuf
Pasadena, CA – Hundreds of business and community leaders will join Union Station Homeless Services at its annual benefit gala, A PLACE TO CALL HOMEon Saturday, May 9, at the Langham Huntington in Pasadena. The nonprofit’s gala will honor the contributions of Charlie & Rene Chiara and Jim & Tina Hart, long-time supporters and distinguished members of the entertainment industry who have used their talents to benefit the organization.
The evening’s entertainment will include special guest appearances by Melora Hardin (The Office, Transparent), Gildart Jackson (The Young and the Restless, General Hospital), Byron Miller and the Psycho Bass Band, plus one-on-one interviews with the honorees, as well as a formerly homeless individual who found a place to call home through the work of Union Station.
Union Station Homeless Services is a nonprofit agency that helps homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. As the San Gabriel Valley’s largest homeless service agency, Union Station is part of a premier group of nonprofit agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community.
Charlie & Rene Chiara have been involved in planning numerous events for Union Station for over 15 years. Charlie’s company, Clear Stream Media Group, has produced a number of films for Union Station, and last year, he enlisted his friend and star John C. Reilly to host the 2014 Anniversary Gala. Rene’s experience with public relations and event planning has made her instrumental in helping Union Station launch its inaugural gala, and she has continued to serve as its co-chair for 5 years.
Jim & Tina Hart have been dedicated supporters of Union Station for 28 years. Jim is an Emmy award-winning producer (LA Law, Wonder Years, Chicago Hope) and Tina has worked on over 200 television series as a voice-over actress. Jim has helped Union Station befriend the kindest hearted of Hollywood, including Hector Elizondo, who appears in Union Station’s PSA video and was honored at the 2012 Gala . Jim also served as co-chair for the Annual Golf Tournament at Brookside and co-chaired Union Station’s very first gala.
To commemorate the unique impact of the two couples, the agency will take a fresh, new approach at its gala. “This year’s event will be staged like a late night talk-show! Like a Hollywood event, guests can walk the red carpet as they enjoy a wine reception and silent auction before the program,” says Marv Gross, Union Station’s CEO.
“Charlie and Rene Chiara, and Jim and Tina Hart have all been enthusiastic Union Station activists and leaders for many years,” Gross says. “We are thrilled to be able to honor them at our 2015 gala. It will be a great celebration!”
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. 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 41 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of eight programs in seven locations; 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.
