Black-tie dinners are expensive. In this struggling economy, it's more important than ever to put every penny where it can do the most good: Helping people in need.
Once again, we are asking you to skip the fancy event and donate what you would spend directly to PATH instead. It's easier, more effective, and your contribution helps people right away.
Special Guests: The Honorable Jerry Sanders, Mayor of San Diego; The Honorable Kevin Faulconer, Council President Pro Tem; The Honorable Todd Gloria, Councilmember District 3; Kim John Kilkenny, Centre City Development Corporation; Richard C. Gentry, San Diego Housing Commission.
December 2011 - Juan and his son are just two of the hundreds of people moving towards a home of their own this holiday season, because of PATH's programs. Follow their story over the next couple of months, and help them and others transform their lives by contributing to the Imaginary Feast at www.ImaginaryFeast.org.
Did you miss our original video introduction to Juan and his son? Watch the video here.
For four long months, Juan Hernandez Jr. and his 18-year-old son were sleeping underneath a bridge in Silver Lake because they had nowhere else to go. They had been living with family, and were working for a family-owned business to cover the rent. But when their host decided they needed to pay rent in addition to working, they were unable to keep up with payments. At first, they stayed in hotels, but soon the little money they had dried up and even that was impossible. Sleeping on the street became their only viable option.
“I went down to Skid Row,” said Juan Jr. “And I remember thinking, ‘Is this somewhere I could bring my son?’ No.”
“We went walking around to find a safe place to sleep,” said his son, named Juan Hernandez III after his father. “We chose the bridge because it was all lit up, so it was safer.”
As soon as PATH volunteers encountered the pair....
Whittier Connections Surveys 113 People Experiencing Homelessness
November 2011 - Between Friday, November 11th, and Sunday, November 13th, local nonprofit Whittier’s First Day led volunteers and community leaders as they surveyed 113 homeless individuals living on the streets of Whittier. This was the first such survey ever conducted in Whittier, the results of which will be used to determine which individuals are most vulnerable and move them into homes.
Significant Survey Findings:
Volunteers counted 128 homeless individuals within nine Whittier districts, of which 113 were surveyed. The oldest person encountered was 70 years old, and one individual had been homeless for a shocking 40 years. 63% of respondents reported having a serious medical condition, and 12% of respondents were identified as veterans.
112 Homeless Individuals Surveyed in Silver Lake Complete Report of Survey Findings Released
November 2011 - Between October 22nd and October 24th, PATH led volunteers and community leaders as they surveyed 112 homeless individuals living on the streets of Silver Lake. This was the first such survey ever conducted in the hip, gentrified enclave, the results of which will be used to determine which individuals are most vulnerable and move them into homes.
The oldest person encountered was 81 years old, and one individual had been homeless for a shocking 49 years. 55% of respondents reported having a serious medical condition, and 15% of respondents were identified as veterans.
PATH's staff has already begun the process of getting the most vulnerable individuals from the survey into permanent homes. A father and son, who had been living underneath a Silver Lake bridge, were moved into PATH's Los Angeles Center within a week of completing the survey.
The complete report of the survey's findings can be viewed here:
October 2011 - The United States of America is one of the wealthiest countries in the world but, sadly, it is also a nation distinguished by homelessness and extreme poverty.
Homelessness is a solvable problem. However, solving it requires an educated community that works together in a coordinated and consistent way. The greatest obstacles in the fight to end homelessness are the misunderstanding, fear and stereotypes that surround the issue. If we hope to achieve systemic change, we must be educated before we feel moved to take action.
It's a campaign to encourage understanding and urgency about a problem causing people to die on our streets. Download our official toolkit and get your community involved!
Long Beach Connections Reduces Homelessness in Downtown Long Beach by 12 Percent
September 2011 - A report released Wednesday revealed that the homeless population in downtown Long Beach has decreased by 12 percent since 2009, largely thanks to the efforts of the Long Beach Connections initiative. The 2011 survey identified 303 individuals living on the streets in downtown Long Beach, down from 345 identified by a previous survey in 2009. Veteran homelessness and homelessness-related costs to public health systems also decreased during the two-year period.
A full report on the survey’s findings was released at a press briefing held this morning.
VENICE: Homeless Senior Moves out of His Vehicle and into an Apartment Thanks to "Roadmap to Housing" Program
August 2011 - On Thursday, August 18th, L.A. Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Director of Section 8 Peter Lynn, and PATH staff joined 65-year-old Venice resident Alfred Adkins as he signed the lease on his first real home in over a decade.
Check out the great video below from CBS Los Angeles to learn more about Alfred and his amazing journey from living in a bus to signing the lease on his new home.
Volunteers Survey 300 Homeless People in Downtown Long Beach Follow-up to 2009 Vulnerability Survey
August 2011 - On July 26th-28th, 100 dedicated volunteers gathered in St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 4:30 a.m. They divided into teams, and took to the streets of downtown Long Beach to administer a six-page survey to people experiencing homelessness in the community. This was a follow-up to the survey conducted in 2009. So far, more than 20% of homeless people surveyed in 2009 have been placed in permanent homes.
Volunteers interviewed and photographed approximately 300 people in need. People who agreed to be surveyed received toothbrushes and gift cards to local grocery stores.
PATH is One of 85 Organizations to Receive Special Funding for Homeless Vets Agency receives nearly $1 million from Department of Veterans Affairs.
July 2011 - On July 26th, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) is one of only 85 organizations nationwide to receive funding through its new Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. PATH has been awarded $947,000 over the upcoming year to support the creation of a new program specifically designed to house homeless and at-risk veteran households while providing supportive services like street outreach, benefits assistance, temporary financial assistance and case management . The new program will expand upon PATH’s existing Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) and permanent supportive housing programs.
A letter from Nichelle, a 14-year-old girl living in our Rhonda Fleming Family Center:
My mom and I lost our apartment four months ago. It was the scariest thing that's ever happened to me. One minute we were living with one of my mom's friends, and the next minute her friend lost her job, the apartment was gone, and we had nowhere to go. It was so hard to leave our neighborhood, my friends, and my school behind. I was really afraid to have to go live in a homeless shelter. Now, I am so grateful that we ended up staying at a great place like PATH.
Living at PATH isn't always easy and I wish I had more privacy, but my mom has been my rock. I can tell it's hard for her, but that doesn't stop her from trying to keep our life here as normal as she can. She helps me get to the Valley to visit my friends from our neighborhood. If I don't like the food, she makes me something different in our kitchen in the family area. She's working full-time hours and I know she's tired. I've never seen anyone work as hard as she has these past few months to make sure we have a place to live.
My wish is for us to finally have a home again. We don't want or need anything fancy, just a place that we can call our own where we don't have to depend on someone else to survive.
Without you and the support you give PATH, that wish wouldn't be possible. Thank you so much for everything you do so my mom and I can have a safe place to stay now and somewhere to move in the future. I can't wait to move into our new home!
San Diego’s homeless population, long in need of a permanent, year-round shelter with necessary supportive services, is one step closer to benefiting from this comprehensive resource with today’s California Tax Credit Allocation Committee approval of a $1.5 million annual award of federal low-income housing tax credits for Connections Housing in downtown San Diego. With this action, the 12-month rehabilitation project is anticipated to begin in December of this year and be completed by December 2012.
This action completes funding for the Connections Housing project – an innovative, integrated homeless service and residential community centrally situated at 1250 Sixth Avenue in downtown San Diego’s historic World Trade Center building. The project represents an unprecedented partnership between public agencies, private entities, non-profits and social service organizations....
2011 Long Beach Connections Vulnerability Survey July 25th - 28th, 2011
June 2011 - Join us July 25th-28th as we conduct a follow up to our 2009 survey, reconnect with our homeless neighbors and work towards housing each one of them. By knowing who and where homeless people are, we can identify those who are most vulnerable, are better able to provide vital services and can move more people into permanent housing.
Get Involved & Stay Informed: Email LBConnections@epath.org with your name and contact information.
June 2011 - PATH is currently featured as part of the WHAT CAN I DO? Campaign, a grass roots movement raising awareness and compassion about homelessness through art and social action. We are featured alongside artist Lili Cuzor.
The campaign wants its viewers to ask "WHAT CAN I DO?," and ultimately aims to provide countless answers to and opportunities for this very question.
Distinctive artists and organizations will be featured by the campaign each month. The strength of a single, artistic image puts a face on homelessness while inspiring deepened compassion and awareness towards homeless individuals.
May 2011 - In the homeless community, John was known as "The Godfather." He and his long-time friend, Doc, have been homeless together for more than 15 years.They were interviewed last year as part of HWD4WRD's Homeless Registry and, earlier this year, PATH's outreach team finally convinced them to move off the streets and into a permanent apartment.
We're so proud to have played a role in getting these two veterans off the streets and into housing. Congratulations, John & Doc!
May 2011 - The Stilettos & Chrome Motorcycle Club spent a day volunteering in our beauty salon to help women in our program feel beautiful in time for Mother's Day. One resident said she hadn't gotten her hair done professionally for six years!
Many thanks to all the volunteers, and to our resident stylist Vicki!
March 2011 - Today is World TB Day! Tuberculosis is a huge problem amongst the homeless population. Today, we encourage you to learn more about the disease and ways to prevent it.
The 2011 World TB Day campaign is focused on individuals around the world who have found new ways to stop TB and can serve as an inspiration to others. The idea is to recognize people who have introduced a variety of innovations in a variety of settings:
research aimed at developing new diagnostics, drugs or vaccines
operational research, aimed at making TB care more effective and efficient
new approaches to helping people gain access to TB diagnosis and treatment
novel partnerships between actors in the fight against TB
advances in integrating TB care into health systems
new approaches to providing support from members of the community to people affected by TB
PATH Residents Celebrate Thanksgiving at Pink Taco
November 2010 - This year, PATH residents were special guests for Thanksgiving dinner at the Pink Taco Restaurant in Century City. The restaurant’s staff volunteered their time and energy to provide the meal for homeless individuals and families who had nowhere else to go for the holidays. This was the second year that Pink Taco hosted PATH’s Thanksgiving at their restaurant.
Global Transportation Services (GTS) generously provided buses to shuttle residents to and from Pink Taco. GTS staff also volunteered to help serve the meal.
“Pink Taco has always been committed to being a positive force in our communities and PATH is exactly the type of local organization that we aim to support,” said Harry Morton, CEO of Pink Taco. “We believe in PATH and what they are doing for the people in our community and we are extremely proud to support their cause.”
“Being able to celebrate Thanksgiving helps bring renewed hope to people who are suffering at this time of year,” said Joel John Roberts, CEO of PATH. “All of us at PATH are very excited to continue our partnership with Pink Taco this year as we transition into the holiday season.”
Celebrating Success: Joe Faris, former resident of PATH West LA
November 2010 - On Friday, October 29th, the Westside Shelter & Hunger Coalition honored 25 individuals who have overcome the many challenges of homelessness to lead self-sufficient lives.
Among these individuals was Joe Faris, a former resident of PATH's Westside Center. Joe told his story in his own words:
I grew up in Long Beach and spent most of my early years there. Work ethics were not developed (at that stage in my life) due to a lack of encouragement to seek employment as a teenager. My family was a loving one with parents who supported all of my ambitions from elementary through high school. There was always a sense of struggling with dyslexia, but in spite of the challenges I was determined to do as best as I could do.
After high school graduation, I joined the Marine Corps and achieved the rank of Corporal. My love for education led me to enroll in college to pursue a degree in psychology. Professionally, I have worked as a substitute teacher.
During 2009, opportunities for substituting began to fade due to state budget cuts and I found myself homeless due to lack of income. Although I was homeless for only five months, this phase of my life was very trying....
October 2010 - On November 13th, the United Way of Greater Los Angeles is hosting HomeWalk 2010. Join PATH Partners in walking to raise awareness of the homelessness crisis in our community!
The HomeWalk is a 5k walk that leads participants on an educational journey and provides walkers with practical ways to get involved in addressing homelessness. This is a great opportunity to educate your friends, neighbors and co-workers about the more than 48,000 people who are homeless in Los Angeles and the ways in which we all can be a part of the solution.
Event Details
Date: November 13th, 2010 Time: 7:00 a.m. Registration, 9:00 a.m. Walk Location: Exposition Park, 700 Exposition Park Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Registration is $35 (free for those 18 and under), including parking and a HomeWalk t-shirt. Proceeds benefit the United Way of Greater Los Angeles (UWGLA). PATH is a grantee of UWGLA.
PATHPorts Across America raises more than $280,000 to support PATH!
October 2010 - PATHPorts Across America, our 25th anniversary celebration, was an amazing success! Four hundred people attended the event at the home of David and Maria Alden, raising more than $280,000 to support PATH’s programs.
Prominent names and faces could be spotted throughout the event. Ted Stryker, afternoon DJ for 106.7 The World Famous KROQ, emceed the program and played the role of auctioneer for the live auction. Actress Sharon Ferguson assisted with the auction presentations. PATH founders Claire and Charles Orr presented awards to long-time supporters Rhonda Fleming Carlson and the late Vera Brown (accepted on her behalf by her daughter, Angela Brown). Helen and Greg Kinnear served as honorary co-chairs for the event, and LA City Council President Eric Garcetti presented awards to 30 honorees.
All of us at PATH would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make Saturday’s event not only a successful fundraiser, but a spectacular party. We are especially appreciative of the 50 volunteers who dedicated their Saturday night to helping PATH. Your support has helped ensure that we can continue providing critical housing and services to the nearly 50,000 people who are still homeless in Los Angeles today.
Vera Brown, founder of Vera Brown Personal Care Center, dies at age 90
October 2010 - Vera Brown, a long-time supporter of PATH and our programs, passed away on September 24th at the age of 90. She founded the Vera Brown Personal Care Center--which provides free makeovers, haircuts, facials, and other personal care services to homeless men, women and children at the PATH Mall--among many other charitable pursuits.
Everyone in the PATH family will miss Vera greatly.
A full obituary for Vera can be read in the LA Times.
David L. Wolper, TV producer and long-time PATH supporter, passes away at age 82
August 2010 - Today PATH mourns the loss of David L. Wolper, an award-winning television producer and long-time PATH supporter. He died Tuesday at his Beverly Hills home of congestive heart disease and complications from Parkinson’s disease, according to Dale Olson, his longtime publicist.
We honor David for his years of support, and keep his family foremost in our thoughts.
August 2010 - More and more families like Sarah's are turning to PATH for help. Your support helps families experiencing homelessness find their way HOME.
Sarah and her 12-year-old son were struggling to survive. They lost their house after Sarah’s company downsized, eliminating her job. It was a young mother’s nightmare. She, her child and their two beloved dogs were homeless. Worried about her son’s well-being, Sarah found him a place to stay with friends while she slept in a park with their pets.
Follow Sarah’s PATH to a new life:
PATH Street Outreach Teams, caseworkers who reach out to people on the streets, found Sarah while she was sleeping in the park with her two dogs. They brought her to PATH.
PATHWays Housing provided Sarah and her son with warm beds and nutritious meals. They were no longer separated from each other.
PETCO Place, PATH’s home for pets, provided a safe haven and special care for their two dogs. Sarah could concentrate on her son and getting back on her feet.
PATHFinders Job Centers helped Sarah find and keep a full-time job so she could save money for their new home.
The PATHMall provided dozens of crucial supportive services, like counseling, employment assistance, healthcare and even a beauty salon.
Home Again. Sarah’s PATH brought her to a new job and a new apartment. Her family, pets and all, had found their way back home.
Spending a summer interning at People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) stirred unexpected feelings in Pranny Xie, a senior at Cal Poly Pomona.
She knew it was the right thing to do – smiling at those ashen, tired faces and helping them get the supplies and services they needed – but she didn’t anticipate the gut reaction she had to the work. Memories of her father coming home with that same tired face flashed through her mind. Because of his lack of language proficiency, her father was often cheated out of overtime pay and expected to work more than 12 hours a day, six days a week, just to keep his job during hard times. It hit unsettlingly close to home....
Petco Place wins $5,000 through Pepsi Refresh Project
July 2010 - Pepsi is giving away millions to fund great ideas. In July, PATH was in the running to receive $5,000. Thanks to your support, we placed 2nd, which means Pepsi will provide us with funding to purchase new kennels for Petco Place, our "shelter within a shelter" for the pets of our homeless residents.
Thank you all for your amazing support!
PATH featured on VH1 reality show
July 2010 - VH1's reality show You're Cut Off features nine spoiled young women who have been cut off by their families unless they can learn to stop taking their silver spoons for granted.
In Episode 7, "Giving Back," the ladies prepared and served a meal to the residents of PATH's Regional Homeless Center in Los Angeles.
A few weeks later one of the young ladies from the show, Leanne "Kuukla" Stern, returned to PATH with her mother to continue volunteering and learning about the people in need that we serve.
The Business of Homeless Services Has Changed
June 2010 - By Joel John Roberts, CEO of PATH Partners
Images of homeless people sleeping in a large warehouse and loitering throughout a neighborhood are not today’s view of how homeless agencies operate. That is a 30-year-old picture of 1980s programs.
Today, successful homeless programs in other cities show dramatic decreases of homelessness on the streets surrounding their facilities. These programs use a business approach where the customers are both people who are homeless and people living and working in the surrounding neighborhood.
The neighborhood profits when there is a reduction of homelessness on its streets and people who are homeless benefit when they are actually housed.
This new business model for addressing homelessness is being proposed at the World Trade Center building on Sixth Avenue and A Street in downtown San Diego. The new facility, Connections Housing, is designed to significantly reduce the number of people living on the streets of the financial district. [...]
I am the first to admit I held a very large prejudice against homeless people. I thought they were all lazy, ungrateful, and couldn’t save for a rainy day. It was hard for me to identify with the chronic problem of homelessness as anyone who knows me would never use those words to describe me. I am determined, dedicated, and have always saved for the future.
Then I started volunteering at PATH (People Assisting The Homeless). At first it was just a small project at PATH Glendale Achieve. I was helping redesign and decorate the children’s tutor room / therapist room. During the trips to IKEA and such, the program director Natalie Komuro and I started talking about the clients at Glendale Achieve. I also started talking to the staff and hearing first-hand about the hows and whys people become homeless.
Slowly, the layers surrounding the issue of homelessness began to peel away. The blurred image begging at the freeway ramp started to come into focus, revealing a face. These are people who are often dealing with severe mental health problems, drug / substance abuse, or just a dose of bad luck and unfortunate timing. Having wrestled with my own bout of depression and knowing close friends who have struggled with substance abuse, I began to think about what made our stories and outcomes different from those who ended up on the streets. It boils down to having a family and a support system that can only be described as unconditional love and forgiveness. I have a family who will never give up on me, never turn their backs on me, and never shut the door on me. I began to see what could have become of me, and realized that each and every homeless individual is just that, a person....
Danny Wacker is a fan of PATH! The 1,000th fan, to be exact.
May 2010 - PATH recently reached a significant Facebook milestone: Our 1,000th fan! Lucky #1,000 is Danny Wacker, a member of the class of 2014 at San Diego State University.
In honor of Danny being our 1,000th fan, we asked him to tell us a little bit about himself.
PATH: How did you hear about PATH? Danny: I've done a couple things at my temple (Wilshire Boulevard Temple) that benefited PATH. I'm currently writing two papers on homelessness at school for different classes, and I mentioned PATH in them. I wanted to see if you guys were on Facebook and noticed you had 999 fans. I was proud to be number 1,000....
Our Faith Matters Initiative Asks: Can 500,000 People End Homelessness?
May 2010 - Can 500,000 people of faith end homelessness in Los Angeles? On Tuesday, May 11, faith, community and government leaders came together at the California Endowment to address that very question. More importantly, they asked another question: How?
250 people attended the 2010 Our Faith Matters Symposium to share how their faith organizations can help end homelessness in Los Angeles. Participants came from 81 faith organizations from 26 cities in Southern California, representing diverse traditions including Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
Together, the faith groups in attendance represented more than 500,000 constituents.
“500,000 is a lot of people,” Joel John Roberts, CEO of PATH Partners, said. “Now we need these half a million people to convince the other ten million people in the county that no one should have to live on our streets.”
Help Us Help Homeless People Living with HIV/AIDS Spread the Word
Imagine getting laid off and being unable to find another job in time to keep up with your bills. It’s an increasingly common story these days, and that’s exactly what happened to Michael in October. He’d never been homeless before, and being without a job, a home or any apparent options was a scary position in which to find himself.
Michael also happens to be HIV +. Trying to maintain his treatment regimen and focus on his health while worrying about where he was going to live was overwhelming. He heard about PATH Cares and, unsure where else to turn, came to us for help.
Last month, PATH Cares lost the funding necessary to provide 4,000 nights' worth of housing and services to homeless people living with HIV/AIDS.
With his food and housing taken care of, it was much easier for Michael to keep track of his medications, stay healthy and get to work finding a job and saving money. With the help of our on-site job center, he found a job at Bloomingdale’s and started saving.
Michael just submitted his first application for an apartment! He’s just waiting to hear whether or not he’ll be accepted, and then he’ll be moving out of PATH Cares and into his own place.
Help us avoid cutting services for residents like Michael, who are living with HIV/AIDS while trying to find a job and a place to live. Donate now!
April 2010 - Molly Shannon, best known for her work on Saturday Night Live, paid a visit to our Hollywood Center last night. She had the opportunity to see the facilities, chat with the staff and even sample a tasty apple crisp that Program Manager Andrew Conner had prepared for the residents.
Thanks for stopping by, Molly!
UCLA Nursing Students Encourage Health and Safety among People Using Services at PATH
March 2010 - Students from the UCLA School of Nursing have been partnering with PATH to address some of the health needs of those we serve. The student nurses conducted a survey focusing on risky behavior, condom usage and STDs among people using PATH's services, and presented their findings to staff last week. The insights provided by the survey will greatly benefit program design and case management at PATH moving forward.
The students also provided clients with information on sexual health and risk reduction, and implemented a sustainable method for providing condoms to clients.
Many thanks to the UCLA School of Nursing for helping the people using PATH’s services lead safer, healthier lives!
See photos from Glamour Day at PATH!
March 2010 - Glamorous photographs of 18 women from PATH have been posted on Glamour Project's website. These homeless women spent a day being pampered in PATH's on-site salon, receiving makeovers and haircuts before taking part in photo shoots with the photographers from Glamour Project.
Glamour Project, founded by Kara Fox and Evvy Shapero, is dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged women through kindness, compassion and photography. Their studio: homeless shelters throughout the Los Angeles area. Their subjects: women who have suffered great loss.
Visit Glamour Project's website to see the results of their photo shoot at PATH.
Free H1N1 Vaccines Provided by UCLA School of Nursing & LA County Public Health Department at PATH
March 2010 - On Thursday, March 4th, 2010, students from the UCLA School of Nursing administered free H1N1 vaccinations to PATH's clients, staff and local community members. They also provided healthy living tips and handed out free cookies to those who received vaccinations. Vaccinations were provided by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department.
Lack of health care, sanitation, and shelter increases the risk of flu and sickness among people who are living on the streets of Los Angeles. With nearly 50,000 homeless people in the region, the threat of a flu epidemic is real.
“Homelessness is a health issue,” said Carlos Gonzalez, a program director for PATH. “Vaccinating people on the streets helps keep them healthy.”
Many thanks to the nurses who volunteered their time to administer vaccines, and to the Los Angeles County Public Health Department for providing the vaccinations free of charge!
February 2010 - LOS ANGELES ― Working to 'Make the Homeless Count,' the Mayor’s Office of the Census will host a month-long sock drive (Feb. 14 - Mar. 14) to support the U.S. Census Bureau’s homeless enumeration program March 29-31.
"Socks are a necessity that many in our homeless communities do without, and by calling on residents to support their fellow Angelenos, we are ensuring we reach those most in need." Mayor Villaraigosa said. "Achieving an accurate count of the homeless population will be critical in getting our fair share of resources to provide housing and supportive services over the next decade."
The donated socks will be distributed at six events across the City on March 30th, the second day of the Census homeless count. According to the Los Angeles Housing Services Authority (LAHSA) nearly 25,000 people are homeless in the City of LA on any given night, nearly 4,000 of them on Skid Row alone. "Engaging and counting thousands of homeless Angelenos is one the greatest challenges we face as we work towards a complete count," said James T. Christy, Regional Director of the Los Angeles Census Bureau office. "We appreciate the efforts of the Mayor’s Office of the Census to reach one of the hardest-to-count communities in America by providing a basic need."
"5% Day" at Whole Foods Market Santa Monica Benefits PATH
February 2010 - On Wednesday, Feb. 10, Whole Foods Market Santa Monica generously donated 5% of its net sales for the day to PATH, amounting to a total of $4,324.65! PATH was also the grateful recipient of more than $600 from Whole Foods' "Change for Change" program, in which Whole Foods customers were given the option to donate their 5 cent reusable bag refund, plus extra change, to PATH.
Each year, Whole Foods stores hold community giving days (otherwise known as "5% Days") where five percent of that day’s net sales are donated to a local nonprofit or educational organization. The groups that benefit from these 5% Days are as varied as the communities themselves.
Thank you, Whole Foods Market Santa Monica, for this generous contribution. And many thanks to everyone who bought groceries in support of PATH on Feb. 10. We appreciate your ongoing commitment to helping us fight homelessness in our community!
February 2010 - On February 23rd, PATH hosted a "Glamourous Day of Beauty," a collaboration between the on-site Vera Brown Personal Care Salon and Glamour Project. As part of the event, 30 homeless women received free makeovers, before-and-after photo shoots with Glamour Project and an 8x10 photograph from their shoot.
In the photo above, Vickie Henderson -- founder of the Vera Brown Personal Care Salon -- and her daughter work on women's hair and makeup in preparation for their photo shoots.
Faith Matters hosts faith and community leaders to ensure homeless people get counted in the 2010 U.S. Census
February 2010 - On Tuesday, Feb. 16, at PATH, community and government leaders convened with members of Southern California’s faith community to discuss Census 2010 and the importance of counting homeless people in the Los Angeles region. The meeting included representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, the California Community Foundation (CCF) and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). It was hosted by Faith Matters, an alliance of faith groups in Southern California working together to inspire the community to end homelessness.
"[The Los Angeles region is] the 800 pound gorilla in America’s living room because we have the largest population of homeless people in the country," Julie Beardsley, the head of L.A. County’s census efforts, told the group.
Census data determines 85 percent of federal grant funding for critical programs like Medicaid, foster care and McKinney-Vento for the next ten years. For every person not counted, Los Angeles County loses more than $1,100 in federal resources per year. Over ten years, this amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenues. To ensure our community receives the resources necessary to address homelessness, Faith Matters is mobilizing faith groups to help the Census Bureau get an accurate count.
"The work we do means nothing if all of you don’t get involved," said Shannon W. Lawrence, Partnership Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau Los Angeles Region.
The California Community Foundation is investing $1.5 million to help communities reach out to people who traditionally get overlooked and go uncounted, including those who are homeless. Our organization’s work is supported (in whole or in part) by a grant from the California Community Foundation.
For more information about Census 2010 and how you or your faith organization can help, please visit:
December 2009 - On Monday, December 1, Gelson’s Market of Silver Lake/Los Feliz contributed $5,000 to support PATH’s programs this holiday season. Store Director Aldo Malesci presented the check to PATH’s CEO, Joel John Roberts, at the Regional Homeless Center. Many thanks to Gelson’s from the PATH family!
Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation Awards $1,000 to Street Outreach Program
December 2009 - On Monday, December 7, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation presented PATH staff with a $1,000 check to support the Hollywood Emergency Response Outreach (HERO) program. The gift was awarded during their Holiday Mixer at The Music Box @ Fonda.
Support from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation will allow HERO to provide street outreach and linkages to housing and supportive services for people living on the streets of Hollywood.
At the same event, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce collected new, unwrapped toys to be distributed as part of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division toy drive.
PATH and Synergy Learning Center Collaborate on Property Management Training Program For The Unemployed
November 2009 - Los Angeles – People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Synergy Learning Center to form a property management training program provided through PATHFinders Job Center, a jobs program for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. This new endeavor will be called the Synergy Property Management Program.
Synergy Learning Center is known for its expertise in training for careers in the property management industry. PATH is known across the country for its innovative solutions to homelessness. By combining these strengths, both entities will provide a comprehensive property management training program that will encourage long-term career development and self-sufficiency.
“We see this partnership as a wonderful opportunity to transition people into property management careers and housing, especially during this struggling job market,” said Janet Kelly, PATH’s Executive Director.
The Synergy Property Management Program will introduce participants to property management as a career option and provide comprehensive training—including instruction in Yardi property management software, an industry leader for affordable and market-rate housing—and job placement services.
“My goal and desire in turning over Synergy Learning Center to PATH is to see it prosper and grow beyond what I could provide,” said Dona Eng, founder of Synergy Learning Center. “I will chair an Advisory Committee to provide guidance, be an industry liaison and identify client employment opportunities and ongoing funding sources. I am thrilled with this new arrangement and confident that this will allow us to help more people who are in vulnerable circumstances.”
Founded in 1984, PATH is a non-profit community organization that provides integrated services and supportive housing for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Each year, PATH serves 14,000 homeless men, women and children from throughout Los Angeles County. PATH is a member of PATH Partners, an alliance of service and housing agencies. For more information, please visit its website at www.epath.org.
PATH Conducts Leimert Park & Baldwin Hills Homeless Assessment
October 2009 - From Tuesday, October 20th through Thursday October 22nd, the PATH Street Outreach Team & over a dozen local neighborhood stakeholders took to the streets of Leimert Park to conduct a homeless assessment of unprecedented proportions.
The purpose of this effort was to provide the most detailed insight, to date, into the homeless population of Leimert Park. The assessment was a person-by-person survey designed to gather pertinent information related to size of the homeless population and immediate needs. The findings of the assessment will assist the community in developing a neighborhood plan to resolve homelessness.
Established on a foundation of experienced fact-finding, this is a great step forward, which will hopefully be mirrored in other neighboring cities. A presentation of the findings will be shared in November at the Empowerment Congress West Area Neighborhood Council Taskforce meeting.
NEW MATH: 1 x 20 = 80,000. That is, one person, donating
20 dollars can equal $80,000.
September 2009 - You're the first one in the equation.
A bad economy means more people are hurting. Today, PATH Partners is seeing an unprecedented increase in people walking through our doors desperately needing help. Renters are being evicted from their apartments because they lost their jobs. Homeowners can no longer pay their mortgages and are being foreclosed on. More people are ending up homeless.
August 2009 - On Wednesday, August 12th, PATH staff members presented the Inglewood Snapshot Report to several key stakeholders and service providers in the Inglewood area. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a more widespread collaboration of services to the homeless population in the Inglewood community. The meeting concluded with persons present agreeing to start a monthly collaborative effort whose goal is to eradicate homelessness in the city of Inglewood. This is a great step forward, which will hopefully be mirrored in other neighboring cities.
Today, Project Y!MBY (Yes! In My Backyard) mobilized neighborhoods with targeted outreach to provide immediate housing and services for the homeless population of Hollywood and West Hollywood. Like a social service “expo,†YIMBY Connect Day gathered more than 60 local public and private service providers and more than 250 volunteers for one day of intensive outreach and engagement services. People who are homeless accessed everything from haircuts and foot care to medical examinations, counseling and housing services from across the greater Hollywood area. Within the first two hours, the event drew an estimated 300 homeless individuals, and is expected to reach more than 800 homeless before the end of the day.
Project Y!MBY Connect Day is a component of Project Y!MBY, a grass-roots community mobilization initiative geared towards helping communities develop coordinated responses to end homelessness in Hollywood. Project Y!MBY generates positive mobilization for national and regional strategies towards ending homelessness, and transforms those strategies into activities on a neighborhood level.
41 Formerly-Homeless Individuals Take Part in PATH's 6th Annual Graduation
June 2009 - There are approximately 73,000 homeless individuals in Los Angeles County. And in this economy, with the national unemployment rate the highest it has been in 25 years at 9.4%, it’s not easy to find work and get off the streets. Despite these barriers, 41 formerly-homeless individuals graduated from People Assisting The Homeless (PATH)’s transitional housing program on Thursday, June 11. The ceremony marked PATH’s sixth annual graduation.
The 41 graduates represented PATH’s Hollywood and Westside centers, as well as the Regional Homeless Center. All graduates secured and maintained permanent housing, and/or acquired full-time employment during their time at PATH.
Charities That Serve Homeless People Seek Long-Term Change Special Report: Charities Race for the Billions
May 2009 - Marin County, Calif., just north of San Francisco, is among the most affluent areas in the nation. But even there, the protracted recession and foreclosure crisis present a pernicious problem: low-income families and individuals who lose a job and then find they are losing the roof over their head as well.
Shelters in the county that can house entire families now have three-month waiting lists, and requests for aid at a charity-run homeless "help desk" have risen 35 percent since the start of the recession.
Mother’s Day (May 10th) is just around the corner! This Mother's Day, send your Mom a heartfelt gift by purchasing a “Hug†to help homeless mothers and families at PATH. Gifts can be made in honor of a special mother or mother figure in your own life. Your generous contributions will help mothers in need find housing, employment and independence.
April 2009 - March 2009 – For the second year in a row, Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) and fellow musicians have partnered with PATH for the annual Axis of Justice Tour(http://axisofjustice.org/about/).
Formed by Tom Morello and Serj Tankian, the Axis of Justice is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together musicians, fans of music, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice.
March 2009 - We are deeply saddened to report the passing of homeless advocate Sam Colquitt, who passed away on Wednesday, March 11th due to heart failure.
"Sam was dear a friend and colleague to many of us, said Janet Ganaway-Kelly, Executive Director of PATH. "We will miss his cheerful attitude, wonderful smile, and his passion for helping homeless people. Sam served as Director of Street Outreach for PATH from 1999 to 2007.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Friday, March 20th at 9 am
Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary
3801 W. Manchester Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90305
(310)412-6811
You paid your rent and you’re still homeless?
March 2009 - By Kai Stansberry
When we talk about the foreclosure crisis, we generally think about people who had a loan they could not afford. But when the borrower is a landlord, foreclosure has some unintended consequences. The foreclosure crisis – fueled by the subprime loan meltdown – is increasingly affecting stable households. More than 3,157,806 foreclosure filings were reported in 2008. Even more are projected for 2009.
March 2009 - Volunteers are among our communities’ greatest heroes and we salute them for their commitment to service.
Neighbors for Change/Food for Change
As part of President Obama’s call to service, the Upper Nichols Canyon Neighborhood Association formed a “Neighbors for Change/Food for Change†program made up of neighbors from our association, other hillsides, Hollywood and Studio City. Motivated to do something to help the homeless, the community group organized and collected more than 8,000 pounds of groceries, clothing and toiletries to go to people in need. “Our PATHFinders employment program especially appreciated the clothing, which was distributed to clients who go on job interviews,†said volunteer coordinator, Sally Evans. “Having clean, work-appropriate clothing lifts the spirit and encourages individuals to keep moving forward.
February 2009 - Thomas and Stinne, students of the Copenhagen College of Social Work, had the whole world to choose from in selecting the location to do their practice placement for their undergraduate social work degree. After searching the internet for options, and contacting several agencies, they decided that PATH would offer a wide range of opportunities for learning. Their task: to understand how our government and local systems are addressing a social issue, how those systems are impacted by social and racial issues, and what are some ideas they can take back with them to transplant in their own communities.
January 2009 - Despite the many challenges our city and nation are experiencing amidst an economic downfall, the generosity of People Assisting The Homeless (PATH) volunteers was shining bright over the holidays. PATH residents and clients received heart-felt care from multiple individuals and groups this season.
Creating Community Conference Unites Housing Stakeholders from Across California
December 2008 - On December 8-10, Housing California hosted the Creating Community 2008 conference in Los Angeles to focus on housing for individuals and families who are homeless and/or have mental health issues. The conference brought together policymakers, service providers and advocates from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to explore effective housing solutions. As part of the conference, a group toured model housing programs across the city, including the PATHMall. For more information about Housing California or the conference, go to: www.housingca.org.
October 2008 - This holiday season, Greg Kinnear will serve as the 2008 Chairperson of our annual Imaginary Feast, a non-event to raise funds and awareness to support PATH Partners programs and services.
Because there is no fancy luncheon or black-tie event to attend, all proceeds go directly towards helping individuals and families find work, housing and an improved quality of life.
October 2008 - The first 5 people to email PATHPartners will be given a ticket to join us at the November 22nd CNN HERO Event at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.
PATH Partners was selected to attend, and we want YOU to be a part of this life-affirming event.
October 2008 - PATH Partners CEO, Joel John Roberts was recently interviewed on KTLA pacesetters, a Los Angeles Community based talk show which presents a forum to discuss community issues and concerns. Mr. Roberts spoke about homelessness and the critical need for more permanent affordable housing in Los Angeles County.
PATH Hosts Indian Leaders from International Business Council
October 2008 - On September 29, three nonprofit leaders from India visited the PATHMall as a part of the International Business Council, a program of the U.S. Department of State. The purpose of the program is to familiarize nonprofit leaders from other countries about the role of nonprofit organizations in America, different management models, and the interrelationships between nonprofits, the government and the community. The leaders represented a diverse range of nonprofits in India, including the Credibility Alliance, Catholic Relief Services and the United Nationals Development Programme – Rehabilitation and Resettlement. PATH was selected as one of multiple sites the participants are visiting across the country. The leaders were impressed with the size and scope of services offered through the Mall, especially in regards to the Homeless Court and housing facilities. They discussed how they will share some of the successful concepts they have observed at PATH and the other nonprofits they visited to help enhance their own programs and organizations back home.
Researchers from Charles Drew University and the US Embassy in Rwanda Visit PATHMall
October 2008 - In late September, PATH hosted a tour with two professors from Charles Drew University and a representative of the US Department of Defense office in the US Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda. The guests design and implement HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs in Rwanda and Angola, and were interested in learning more about the PATHMall multi-service model. The group discussed some of the unique challenges of providing services to mobile populations in countries with limited infrastructure and insufficient numbers of service providers, as well as how components of the PATHMall may be used to enhance delivery of existing services in Rwanda and Angola.
PATH Partners welcomes Richard Bloom as Executive Director of Community Initiatives.
September 2008 - PATH Partners welcomes Richard Bloom as Executive Director of Community Initiatives.
An attorney in family law, Bloom serves on the Santa Monica City Council as Vice Mayor, and previously served as its Mayor. He currently serves as Santa Monica’s delegate to the Westside Cities Council of Governments (COG) that represents Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City and the City & County of Los Angeles. This State chartered Council of elected officials coordinates policy and advocacy on issues of regional significance, particularly public transportation and homelessness.
September 2008 - To most people, it is just trash: A scrap of dirty blanket visible under some stairs. A glimpse of blue tarp peeking out of a bush. A bag of recyclables parked discreetly behind a concrete column.
But Courtney Kanagi, an outreach worker, has learned how to decode bits of urban detritus that most people ignore. She knows what these signs mean: the crawl space beneath the stairs was someones home.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California Supports PATH Children
September 2008 - On September 3, representatives from the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC), as well as local McDonald’s owner/operator Michael Meglione (pictured, center), visited PATH to see first-hand the impact of their recent $7,000 contribution to support the Rhonda Fleming Family Center Tutoring Center. During the visit, they met with a mother and her daughter (pictured, right) currently residing in the Rhonda Fleming Family Center, as well as renowned actress and philanthropist Rhonda Fleming-Carlson (pictured, left), after whom the Center is named.
The OC Mobile Unit Team Brings Medical and Supportive Services to Neighbors in Need
August 2008 - The Orange County Mobile Unit Team (MUT), a public-private collaborative convened by the Health Care Agency of the County of Orange, brings together the University of California Irvine Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente and several other partners to deliver medical and supportive services to low-income and homeless residents in Orange County.
PATH Hosts the 8th P.O.W.E.R. Collaborative Network (PCN) Meeting of 2008
August 2008 - PATH plays hosts at the 8th P.O.W.E.R. Collaborative Network (PCN) Meeting of 2008. PCN is a nonprofit business group offering partnership opportunities with economic/educational resources. Various community entities were present, including the We Build - construction pre-apprenticeship training program, Vasek Polak Health Clinic, El Camino College – CalWORKS, and Working Wardrobe just to name a few of the 40 business in attendance. The PCN monthly meetings discuss job recruitment, funding, training, and other labor engagement topics.
August 2008 - On Monday, August 4, 2008, PATH and Paws officially opened PETCO PLACE  a groundbreaking project that will offer shelter to pet-owning homeless individuals. This unique "shelter-within-a-shelter", sponsored in large part by The PetCo Foundation, is the second housing program in the US, to provide housing for homeless individuals and their pets. Dignitaries kicked-off the new Pet Center with a ribbon cutting and press ceremony. See the Channel 7 clip here: http://www.epath.org/toknowus/ABCclip.html
An estimated 5-10% of homeless people have pets. Homeless individuals will usually turn down housing when forced to choose between their pet or a roof over their head. For many homeless people, a pet is their only companion. Asking them to give up their dog or cat for housing is like asking them to abandon their partner or best friend. Providing their animals with care will give our clients a sense that they can take care of their animals. We hope this will empower them to take charge of their lives and ultimately take steps to end their homelessness.
Media Inquiries: kais@pathpartners.org
Petco Place Program Inquiries: anne@epath.org
July 2008 - On Monday, August 4, 2008, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti and other dignitaries will be on hand to officially open PETCO PLACE  a groundbreaking project that will offer shelter to pet-owning homeless individuals.
This unique “shelter-within-a-shelterâ€Â, sponsored in large part by The PetCo Foundation, is a joint effort between PAWS/LA and PATH Hollywood
When: Monday, August 4th 10:00am
Where: PATH Hollywood (5627 Fernwood Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028)
Media Contact: Kai Stansberry (213) 761-0159
Legendary Television Reporter Stan Chambers Reports on PATHFinder Job Center Success
July 2008 - On July 22, the PATHMall hosted a very special guest- legendary American television reporter Stan Chambers, who has been with KTLA/CW for the past 60 years.
July 2008 - Wendy Brazill, one of LA's leading contemporary artists, will sponsor an art exhibit to support PATH. The exhibit, entitled "Moments", will feature a collection of fine art created by Brazill. All proceeds from the exhibit will be donated to PATH to help homeless individuals and families.
July 2008 - On June 26th, over 70 public and private agencies gathered at Hollywood's Music Box Fonda Theatre to kick-off the 3rd Annual Project Y!MBY Connect Day. The Greater Hollywood/West Hollywood event provided assistance to an unprecedented 589 homeless individuals, offering everything from ID cards provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), to foot washing, to animal daycare services.
End of An Era, Bob Erlenbusch leaves LA Coalition To End Hunger & Homelessness
July 2008 - When Bob Erlenbusch took the helm of the Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness, he was seen as a "take no prisoners"Â advocate for homeless people in Los Angeles County. Twenty-two years later, he's decided to call it quits and head for Sacramento, California. PATH Partners speaks with him about the last leg of his race to end homelessness.
July 2008 - Homelessness can happen to anyone. It does not discriminate based on age, race, gender or social standing and its roots cannot be traced to a single common denominator. Just as each person is unique, so too are the factors unique to each individual who becomes homeless. The problem of homelessness is enormous and at times it can seem intractable. This is why PATH celebrates the accomplishments of those who we help find safety off of the streets with a place to call home. Susan's story is an example of one such case:
There's Nothing Sexy About Homelessness"Or is there?
July 2008 - Last week, while discussing a story with a reporter, something that happens quite often occurred. I noticed that after communicating a story (about communities helping people who are homeless get off the streets), there was an awkward disconnect. Both the reporter and I felt it. If I had to put it into words, the disconnect meant one of three things- she was disinterested, indifferent or annoyed at my call.
Innovative "Haven" Center Will Bring Hope to San Antonio's Homeless
July 2008 - In early July, PATH had the pleasure of hosting guests from Haven for Hope and SAMMinistries, two San Antonio, Texas-based nonprofits. Haven for Hope formed in early 2006 under the leadership of San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger and business and civic leader Bill Greehey. After conducting extensive research on homelessness and visiting several successful homeless centers around the country, including the PATHMall, the group set the strategic vision to open the Haven for Hope campus, an innovative center that will provide a wide range of social services to meet the needs of the city's homeless in a "one-stop"Â setting. Far beyond shelter, food and clothing, Haven for Hope's services will be geared to combat the root causes of homelessness, with over 66 committed partner agencies providing the services. The center is scheduled to open in Spring 2009. "It is very inspiring for us to hear of Haven for Hope's integrated center which is taking the lead in forming strategic partnerships that will help hundreds of homeless individuals in San Antonio to find services and housing,"Â said PATH Partners CEO Joel Roberts. For more information about Haven for Hope, visit: http://www.havenforhope.org.
Hollywood Celebrates Y!MBY Connect Day - Thursday, June 26th
June 2008 - Project Y!MBY (Yes! In My Backyard) is mobilizing neighborhoods with targeted outreach to provide immediate housing and services for the homeless population of Hollywood and West Hollywood. The 3rd Annual Hollywood event will be launched Thursday, June 26th (7 a.m.- 1 p.m.) at the Music Box Fonda Theatre located at 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.
"New Leaders" Explore Solutions to Global Food Insecurity at PATH's Regional Homeless Center
June 2008 - On June 17, a group of 20 talented young Jewish professionals gathered at the PATHMall/Regional Homeless Center to explore the issues of unequal distribution of wealth and food insecurity in Israel and Los Angeles. The participants were part of "The New Leaders Project"Â, a program run by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles that trains and prepares Jewish young adults to assume leadership roles in their communities. Participants received a tour of the PATHMall and PATH Partners CEO Joel John Roberts spoke on how the unique Mall model can be used to address collaborative solutions to hunger and homelessness both domestically and globally. The New Leaders also heard from a panel of special guests, including Eric Schockman, President of MAZON, and Glenn Yago, Director of Capital Studies at the Milken Institute. The panel was moderated by Lois Weinsaft, Senior Vice President for International Program at the Jewish Federation.
On May 13, PATH hosted special guests from the central California city of Hollister. Nestled in San Benito County and adjacent to its garlic-producing neighbor of Gilroy, CA, Hollister is a charming, agricultural town with a population of 37,000.
May 2008 - In recent months, PATH has had the opportunity to host several groups from across the country"â€representing various cities, counties, and service providers"â€to tour the Regional Homeless Center and learn more about our unique "Mall" model of integrated services and linkages to housing. From Cincinnati to Orange County, groups hoping to learn more about the PATH Mall and have been impressed by the remarkable continuum of care that homeless individuals and families continue to receive regularly through our organization.
April 2008 - This month PATH recognizes the work of volunteers from Paramount Pictures who renovated and reinvigorated facilities at PATH Hollywood and at PATH Los Angeles. The work was done as a part of Paramount Pictures 13th annual ViaCommunity Day, an employee volunteerism and community outreach effort inaugurated by parent company Viacom in 1995.
This was the second time that PATH has been chosen as one of 10 Los Angeles charities to benefit from ViaCommunity Day, which gives 500 Los Angeles-based employees from Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies the opportunity to spend part of their work day at on and off-lot project sites.
April 2008 - It is an exciting time for PATH Partners as we prepare to open PATH Dallas at The Bridge. We are very pleased to welcome our most recent edition to the PATH Partners team, Dr. Ken McGill. Dr. McGill will lead the PATH Dallas team as Director of Care and Housing. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist, and has been working with the homeless for the past 20 years.
April 2008 - PATH Partners, the Hollywood Property Owners Alliance, The County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Council Districts 13 and 4, LAPD, The Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership (HHYP), the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and numerous volunteers and stakeholders from the community, came together to capture a point-in-time snapshot of homeless individuals in Hollywood.
The snapshot, conducted between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on March 25 and 26, 2008, identified approximately 384 unsheltered homeless within a five-mile area of Hollywood. Of those individuals identified, one fourth of the population were homeless youth (persons less than 25 years of age) "“ which serves to challenge the public's perception of homeless demographics.
April 2008 - On Monday, April 14, 2008, Tom Morello (guitarist from Rage Against The Machine) and friends kicked off a national "Social Justice" tour while learning more about how PATH is working to end and prevent homelessness in Los Angeles.
Inspired by their visit, Morello and fellow musicians--including State Radio and Wayne Kramer--saw first-hand how PATH helps homeless individuals and families access over 20 different social services through the convenient PATHMall.
Morello and friends were also able to serve dinner to PATH clients and had an opportunity to listen to many personal stories of homelessness in Los Angeles.
March 2008 - Shelter Partnership has released a new study on homeless older adults (adults 62 years and older). The unique study surveys this vulnerable population for the first time and offers specific solutions to address the growing problem. Ruth Schwartz, Executive Director of Shelter Partnership, explains that "On any given night in LA County, there are between 3,000 and 4,000 older adults who are homeless. Over 60% of them have a disability and one-third to one-half or possibly more are chronically homeless. The solution to their homelessness is the development and greater access to permanent, supportive housing that is affordable."Â
March 2008 - Thanks to everyone who came to the FAITH Matters gathering this month at Leo Baeck Temple, and to our guest presenter, David Levinson, who discussed the practical ways in which every individual can make a difference in our communities through a collective effort such as Big Sunday.
February 2008 - PATH Partners, a regional organization widely known for integrating housing and support services for homeless individuals, announced plans to expand into the City of Dallas. Having recently entered into contract with Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA), PATH Partners will implement its "services-to-housing" models which place an emphasis on transitioning homeless individuals into permanent affordable housing opportunities.
Gramercy Housing Group Receives Grant from S. Mark Taper Foundation
January 2008 - A big thank you to the S. Mark Taper Foundation for their grant of $10,000. Gramercy Housing Group greatly appreciates such immense generosity and is excited to be partnering with a foundation that seeks to improve the lives of all people through the work of nonprofit organizations such as GHG.
January 2008 - Dr. Ralph E. Plumb has been hired to serve as Executive Director of National Initiatives.
Plumb has spent over 30 years in the global health and human services field working in some 100 countries. Since 1990, he has served as President/CEO of two humanitarian organizations. He has extensive contacts and networks in both the governmental and private sector. An accomplished executive, Plumb is highly skilled at linking resources with opportunity.
January 2008 - After the success of last summers first FAITH Matters. luncheon at the PATH Regional Homeless Center, over 50 individuals representing over 90 faith groups gathered together on January 15th at Immanuel Presbyterian Church to continue the work of mobilizing faith groups to end homelessness through community engagement, advocacy, resource development, training, and the sharing of experiences.
January 2008 - Do you sometimes wonder if youre real?
Of course not---you dont know what I mean because youve never doubted that youre real.
Sometimes Im walking down a street and its like no one sees me and Im sure Ive become invisible or I wake up in the middle of the night convinced theres nothing out there beyond my window; nothing at all but darkness, a vacuum...and Im afraid to open the drapes and look, afraid Ill see
January 2008 - This month PATH would like to recognize the volunteers of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher for donating time and energy to the PATHCooks program. Every month a group of volunteers from the law firm comes to PATHs Hollywood site to prepare home cooked meals for our clients. The group, organized by Suzanne Wilson and Lolita Gadberry, bring so much more than just food to the homeless individuals at PATH Hollywood.
January 2008 - Johnny Grant, perhaps better known as the honorary mayor of Hollywood, will be lovingly remembered by many, including PATH and the homeless community. Grant, pictured above at a PATH event with PATH founder Claire Orr, was a long-time supporter of PATH. A radio personality and television producer, Grant was also dedicated to the goal of ending homelessness. Said Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, whose district includes Hollywood: "Johnny Grant was Hollywoods greatest star. He brought Hollywood the industry and Hollywood the neighborhood together." Grants dedication to the neighborhood led him to be a committed social servant, supporting many charitable causes. He will be greatly missed and surely never forgotten.
Long Beach and Iowa By The Sea
January 2008 - Published in the Long Beach Press Telegram is an op-ed piece written by PATH Partners CEO, Joel John Roberts. In it he writes about "social regionalism", a new grass roots approach to addressing homelessness.
December 2007 - On Wednesday, December 5th, jazz fans from around the city packed into Hollywood's Catalina Bar & Grill to hear the George Kahn Quintet and some of LA's finest jazz musicians ring in the holiday season with flair. With standing room only at the end of the night, the benefit was declared a huge success!
However, jazz was not the only reason over 300 people came out to the event. The other attraction was the opportunity to support affordable housing for PATH's homeless clients. 100% of the proceeds from the concert went to PATH Ventures which is currently working on multiple affordable housing projects throughout the city of LA.
December 2007 - Over the past month, Hollywood's Vine Street Elementary School students have been collecting canned food for PATH homeless clients. In an effort to promote charity and community conscientiousness in their young and capable students, the school contacted PATH before Thanksgiving with an interest in helping out in some way.
Six fifth grade girls, Izamar Hernandez, Marilyn Hernandez, Jessica Lopez, Carla Larios, Zamina Reed, and Stephanie Rodezno - who make up the student council - motivated their classmates to get involved and contribute what they could to lend a hand up to LA's homeless residents
PATH Partners Selected to Develop 27-City Homeless Strategy
December 2007 - PATH Partners has been selected to develop a regional strategy to reduce homelessness for the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG). Home to 2½ million residents, the Gateway Cities COG represents 27 cities, including parts of the County of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach.
Los Angeles County has gained notoriety as the homeless capital of the nation, with over 73,000 individuals experiencing homelessness on any given night. Efforts to encourage localities to pay their fair share and view homelessness as a regional problem requiring regional solutions have been arduous. The Gateways Cities COG sets a powerful example for other regions across the county by being the first to bring together multiple cities to assume a leadership role in addressing homelessness.
A Path to Fitness RE/MAX Elite hosts "COMMUNITY APPRECIATION DAY"
December 2007 - On December 8, 2007, local business owners Silva Hameline of RE/MAX Elite, Nick Lam of Pacific BMW, Adrian Pietrariu of West Coast Boot Camp, and Glendale residents Bruce and Mary Khouri, will partner with PATH Achieve Glendale to kick off this holiday season with a fun, fitness-oriented day, featuring lots of specially created kid-centered activities!
"Our goal is to inspire our community to believe that we can make a difference by helping people regain their life!" says Silva Hameline, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Elite. "Educating our children to value health through fitness builds their self-esteem and confidence".
COVER UP! To Benefit LAs Homeless Jazz Pianist, George Kahn, Brings in the Holiday Spirit with his 3rd Annual Benefit for PATH Ventures and the release of his upcoming album "Cover Up!"
December 2007 - Jazz Pianist George Kahn returns to the CATALINA BAR & GRILL with a holiday performance benefiting homeless individuals and families.
The George Kahn Quintet will feature an ALL-STAR band of LAs best studio musicians: George on piano, John Fumo on Trumpet, Pat Kelley on guitar, Karl Vincent on bass and M.B. Gordy on drums. In addition, Special Guest Vocalists, The Wright Combination and Cathy Segal-Garcia will add their singing talents to this star-studded event.
Rhonda Fleming to Join the Palm Springs Walk of Stars
November 2007 - On Sunday, December 9th, Rhonda Fleming--actress, singer and long time PATH supporter--will join the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. The Walk of Stars is meant to recognize Hollywood Stars who lived, loved and played in Palm Springs.
In being named to the Walk of Stars, Rhonda Fleming will join a list of acclaimed celebrities that includes Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor and many more.
November 2007 - Happy Thanksgiving from the PATH family! We hope you enjoy a holiday filled with food, fun and quality time with family and friends. As you celebrate, though, we encourage you to think of those less fortunate. Many poor and homeless individuals don't have a home in which to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, so PATH is hosting our annual "Imaginary Feast."
November 2007 - On Wednesday, November 20th, PATH staff and volunteers got the opportunity to remember and enjoy why we do what we do for our clients...for the chance to make a difference - through a Thanksgiving meal. With a host of volunteers to assist, PATH staff coordinated an evening of good food, music, company and cheer.
"In doing something special and being of service this holiday season, I know that we were the ones that were blessed". Says Regional Homeless Center Area Director, Silvia Gutierrez. "My sincere thanks to everyone for the hard work and collaboration - PATH is truly a place where we work together and practice team work!"
Demonstrating FAITH Matters.
November 2007 - On Saturday, November 17th, hundreds of walkers representing the PATH Partners and FAITH Matters. network took to the streets at the first annual HomeWalk event at Exposition Park.
Hosted by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the 5k family friendly walk brought together thousands of individuals, families, organizations in an effort to promote awareness about the crisis of homelessness in Los Angeles.
Samuel L. Jackson and Committee of Volunteers Help Launch The Imaginary Feast
November 2007 - Led by Honorary Chair Samuel L. Jackson and Co-Chairs Deborah Levine and Emily Masters, this years Imaginary Feast Outreach Committee has truly gone above and beyond! Committee members, who are dedicated volunteers from the community, have worked many hours planning the "non-event" to ensure that it is a success for PATH.
Thanksgiving Arrives Early in Glendale PATH Achieve's "Day of Gratitude" A Success!
November 2007 - PATH Achieve Glendale hosted a "Day of Gratitude" on Monday to thank donors and volunteers for their support in the last year. Event hightlights included music by the Glendale Academy Jazz Band and a check presentation of $200,000 by Los Angeles County Supervisor, Michael D. Antonovich. The funds will go towards supporting PATH Achieve, Glendale's largest homeless service agency which serves over 1400 individuals and families annually.
October 2007 - On October 4th, individuals representing nearly 75 US cities gathered in Los Angeles to convene the National Mall Network Summit. Co-chaired by Los Angeles County Chair Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, and former Century Housing CEO G. Allan Kingston, the Summit included a keynote address by United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and drew participation from various community leaders across the U.S. involved in efforts to reduce homelessness.
The Summit discussed what many communities have quietly observed, but only recently questioned- Are shelters and feeding programs effectively helping homeless people off the streets or are they part of the problem? Do we really have the will to end homelessness in ten years? What will it take to overcome NIMBY-ism (Not In My Backyard) in order to site housing and services for the homeless?
October 2007 - On October 3rd, PATH was honored by a visit from the Mayor of Ft. Worth. The Honorable Michael J. Moncrief (pictured here 5th/left) led a homeless task force of community stakeholders, including representatives from city council, city planners, chambers of commerce, police, service providers, and the judiciary. They even brought along a reporter from the Ft. Worth Star Telegram to document this unique trip across the country, where in just a few days the team will visit several cities and tour model programs serving the homeless. At the PATH Mall, the Homeless Court left a deep impression, and the team was touched by the work being done in the Personal Care Center.
The National Mall Network Summit
October 2007 - The National Mall Network Summit
October 4-5, 2007
The California Endowment,
Center For Healthy Communities
Los Angeles, California
The Mall Network Summit Host Committee is pleased to convene the National Mall Network Summit on October 4-5, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. Co-chaired by Los Angeles County Chair Zev Yaroslavsky, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former Century Housing CEO G. Allan Kingston, the Summit will include a keynote address by the United States HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson as well as draw participation from various community leaders involved in efforts to reduce homelessness across the U.S.
Macy's Passport In-Store Event Support PATH while receiving great discounts
September 2007 - The Macys Passport In-Store event is coming up on Saturday, September 29th! Tickets are $10, and all proceeds from our ticket sales will go directly to PATHCares.
PATH and Whole Foods Team Up to End Hunger and Homelessness
September 2007 - Fresh food and fresh ideas came together last month when Whole Foods Market hosted one of its recurring "5% Day" events in support of PATH. PATH was chosen by Whole Foods as one of the local recipients for the funds collected from the program.
Rampart Village Elects its Own Government Swearing-In Ceremony led by LAPD Captain Thomas J. McDonald
August 2007 - The Rampart Village Neighborhood Council was sworn into office on Tuesday, with 11 recently elected regional representatives to serve the Rampart Village Community. Captain Thomas J. McDonald of the Rampart Division LAPD swore in the newly elected community leaders at the PATH Regional Homeless Center.
Natalie Profant Komuro Selected to Lead PATH Achieve Glendale
August 2007 - The former Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Executive will continue her efforts to serve LA's Homeless as Executive Director of PATH Achieve Glendale.
Besides overseeing the agency's 1.6 million dollar operating budget, Mrs. Komuro will be responsible for implementing effective programs and developing strategic partnerships within the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valley.
August 2007 - PATH has been very fortunate over the past several weeks to have the help of dedicated volunteers from The Los Angeles Urban Project. The Los Angeles Urban Project sends teams of college students into the greater Los Angeles area to serve the urban poor. Each team lives in the neighborhood of the worksite, and volunteers in churches, ministries, and non-profit agencies.
July 2007 - On Tuesday, July 17th nearly 75 people from 45 groups representing all walks of Faith, gathered at the PATH Regional Homeless Center to launch FAITH Matters., a community initiative mobilizing faith groups to end homelessness through community engagement, advocacy, resource development, training, and the sharing of experiences.
June 2007 - On Tuesday, June 26, 2007 PATH Partners CEO, Joel John Roberts spoke at a United Way campaign gala.
During the event, awards were presented to several United Way workplace corporations to acknowledge their hard work and dedication throughout the United Way campaign season.
On Saturday, November 17, 2007, thousands of men, women and children will participate in an historic event called HomeWalk to prevent and end homelessness in Los Angeles County.
June 2007 - PATH will be hosting its 4th annual Graduation ceremony this Thursday, June 21 from 6-8pm at the Regional Homeless Center in Los Angeles (340 N. Madison Avenue).
PATH graduates are formerly homeless individuals who have secured and maintained permanent housing and/or acquired full-time employment.
PATH will be honoring 44 graduates, including Larry Johnson. Before he was referred to PATH's Hollywood Center, Larry had been homeless, living in a tent on the streets of skid row for more than ten years. At PATH, Larry received shelter, support services and access to resources that enabled him to save money and search for permanent housing. On May 1st, after paying his first and last months security deposit and signing a rental agreement, Larry was given the keys to his new apartment in East Hollywood.
Sony Pictures to Host "Surf's Up" Screening
Proceeds to benefit homeless young families at Gramercy Housing Group
June 2007 - Sony Pictures to Host "Surfs Up" Screening
Proceeds to benefit homeless young families at Gramercy Housing Group
Sony Pictures will host a movie screening to benefit Gramercy Housing Group, an organization that provides affordable housing, on-site child care and support for at-risk young families.
Grab your friends, family and co-workers and invite them to watch one of the best family movie releases of the year! Tickets are only $30 so order early and purchase enough for all your family and friends!
April 2007 - May 13th is just around the corner. Send your Mom a heartfelt gift by purchasing a "Hug" to help homeless mothers and families at PATH. Gifts can be made in honor of a special mother or mother figure in your own life. Your generous contributions will help mothers in need find housing, employment and independence. Give a hug or view Tribute Page.
PATH Ventures to Identify Architect for Permanent Supportive Housing Development in Hollywood...
March 2007 - The Villas at Gower Development Team, consisting of PATH and ACOF, is excited to announce a Request for Qualifications from architectural firms to develop 40-60 units of permanent affordable housing. The proposed development will be located in the heart of Hollywood and will create affordable housing with supportive services on site for the residents. The site is located on Gower St. just north of Hollywood Blvd. We are seeking architectural firms who have experience in affordable housing development and who will design affordable housing that is attractive and an asset to the Hollywood community.
PATH Regional Homeless Center Wins Prestigious Architectural Award!
March 2007 - Jeffrey M. Kalban & Associates Architecture, Inc., a leading Los Angeles boutique agency specializing in residential, educational, corporate office and hotel venues has been awarded the 2007 AIA Housing Award for demonstrating exceptional design quality and innovation for the PATH Mall. Now, in its seventh year, the nationally recognized award is presented to 19 distinguished projects in four categories including "special housing, good housing as a necessity of life, a sanctuary for the human spirit, and a valuable national resource." PATH will received an award in the "Special Housing" category.
March 2007 - After three years of community meetings, stakeholder events and certification processes, the Rampart Village Neighborhood Council was officially certified by Board of Neighborhood Commissioners on Monday, February 5, 2007.
PATHVillas Permanent Supportive Housing Project Clears Major Hurdle
February 2007 - On Thursday, February 15th, the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners unanimously endorsed an agreement which will bring Co-Developers PATH Ventures and A Community Of Friends (ACOF) one step closer to developing a permanent supportive housing facility in Hollywood.
Beverly Hills Art Exhibit & Reception to Benefit PATH Partners Saturday, January 27th 4pm-7pm
January 2007 - Art exhibit hosted by Karen Lynne West Gallery is showcasing the work of renowned artist James Verbicky to benefit PATH Partners. The reception will be held Saturday, January 27th 4pm – 7pm and include a 10 minute presentation by the artist.
Location
216 N. Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 858-8202
www.karenlynnegallery.com
BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!
As 2007 approaches, bringing an end to a productive 2006, PATH Partners continues to gain momentum, delivering effective programs and innovative solutions to combating homelessness.
Despite our successes, there is still much to accomplish. We must continue our efforts to improve the quality of our programs, the efficiency with which we work, and our ability to collaborate with one another. By improving the continuum of care, we will ultimately impact more lives by helping people find homes, employment and independence.
December 2006 - Children living at the Rhonda Fleming Family Center at PATH received presents right off their wish lists on Saturday as Christmas volunteers threw them a party to show they are not forgotten this holiday season.
Good Samaritan Hospital Teams with PATH to Offer Alternative to Homeless Dumping
December 2006 - PATH accepts a $24,000 check from Andrew Leeka (2nd from left), President and CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital, which will fund a new program called L.A. HEALS (Healthy Exits And Links to Services). The new partnership will allow patients discharged from the hospital and in need of shelter and social services to be connected to PATH centers throughout LA County. Also present to support the innovative project are West Hollywood Councilman John J. Duran (left), L.A. Councilman Eric Garcetti and Flora Gil Krisiloff, senior deputy to County Sup. Zev Yaroslavsky.
JAZZ PIANIST, GEORGE KAHN HOLDS JAZZ FUNDRAISER FOR PATH
December 2006 - Jazz Pianist, George Kahn, returns to the new CATALINA BAR & GRILL with a holiday performance benefiting PATH on Tuesday, DECEMBER 19TH, at 8:30 PM.
Project Y!MBY Connect Day Assists Over 230 Homeless Individuals Off the Streets of Hollywood
December 2006 - As part of National Project Homeless Connect Day, the Greater Hollywood community gathered together for the 2nd annual Project Y!MBY (Yes! In My Backyard) Connect Day (PYCD). The Countywide event provided an opportunity for local community members to reach out to the homeless and demonstrate their commitment to end homelessness in Los Angeles.
Mayor Villaraigosa Comes to PATH to Announce $4.6 Million Proposal for Emergency Shelter Beds and Homeless Services
November 2006 - On November 21, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced his proposal to spend $4.6 million to fund 372 new emergency shelter beds and increase the capacity of court system alternatives for Los Angeles' homeless population. The announcement was made at a press conference held at PATH's Regional Homeless Center in central LA. "These funds will go toward keeping Angelenos from spending the night on the streets and offering them the services they need, like drug treatment, mental health services, and job training, so that they can break free from a cycle of homelessness and, in many cases, endless run-ins with the law," Villaraigosa stated. City Council President Eric Garcetti and Councilmembers Jan Perry and Bill Rosendahl joined the Mayor in supporting the initiative. For more information, visit: http://www.lacity.org/mayor/.
Greg Kinnear and David L. Wolper Host Party for PATH
November 2006 - On November 5, hundreds of families gathered at the Hollywood Hills home of Michael Wolper and Wendy Brazill for an afternoon of "fun with a cause." Party hosts Greg Kinnear and producer David L. Wolper were in attendence to introduce guests to PATH and the innovative Mall service model. Folk singer Mikki Brisk provided the entertainment and a special appearance was made by a 15-foot Burmese python, compliments of the children's wild animal presentation from "The Animal Guys."
"Homeless to Harvard" Comes to PATH
November 2006 - On November 10, Liz Murray came to the Regional Homeless Center to share her inspirational journey from being homeless to becoming accepted into Harvard University. Ms. Murray spoke to a packed crowd of members from the Bel Air's Chapter of the Young Professionals Organization. Homeless at the age 15, Murray struggled with surviving on the streets of New York. Her determination for a better life led her to successfully earn a high school diploma and scholarship to Harvard University. Ms. Murray's life experiences are featured in the Lifetime original movie "Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story."
Help the Homeless Through the "Imaginary Feast"
November 2006 - Concerned about ending homelessness? Join Honorary Co-Chair Hilary Swank and PATH in being a part of the SOLUTION. Give the gift of hope through our annual Imaginary Feast, a "non-event" that raises funds to help homeless families and individuals regain their independence. Gifts of all amounts are welcome and gifts can also be made to honor and acknowledge another person. Contributions will go to help homeless people find housing, employment and self-sufficiency. Read more...
YES! I want to give (be part of the solution and click below)
Citywide Collaborative Gathers at PATH to Promote Proposition H
October 2006 - A citywide collaborative of nonprofit agencies came together at the Regional Homeless Center to endorse Proposition H, a proposed city bond measure to promote affordable housing for low-income and homeless individuals. If passed, Prop H will provide $1,000,000,000 of bonds to provide 10,000 new homes and rental units over the next ten years. The Central City Association, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Habitat for Humanity, and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce were among the agencies that joined PATH in rallying community support for Prop H. For more information on Prop H, go to: http://www.homesforlafamilies.org.
Hollywood WorkSource Center Joins PATHMall to Bring Jobs to the Homeless
October 2006 - In November, the Hollywood WorkSource Center will move into the PATHMall and join forces with the PATHFinders Job Center to provide employment resources to homeless job seekers. A computer-based GED preparation class is one of many enhanced services resulting from the partnership. The mission of the Hollywood WorkSource Center is to connect employment, education, and training services into a coherent network of resources at the State and local levels. PATH welcomes this new partner into our Mall network!
Rhonda Fleming Carlson Opens Home to Promote PATH Cause
September 2006 - On September 14, over fifty friends of PATH gathered at Rhonda Fleming and Darol Carlson's lovely Century Woods home to celebrate a year of success. Actress and long-time supporter Tyne Daly was among the guests in attendance, along with several prominent members from the faith and
civic community. A new PATH movie, produced by Goalen Group Media and sponsored by Louis and Phylliss Mann, was unveiled to emphasize the
ongoing importance of getting involved in solutions to end homelessness in our city.
2006 Fall PATHLines Focuses on Affordable Housing
September 2006 - Extra! Extra! Read All About It! The 2006 Fall issue of PATHLines is now available and delves into the affordable housing dilemma in Los Angeles. The issue highlights the successful "Housing First" model and stories of formerly homeless individuals who have secured housing. The magazine also features a special guest essay from Philip F. Mangano, Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Get your copy here.
Hollywood Celebrates Y!MBY Connect Day - Thursday, June 26th
June 2006 - Project Y!MBY (Yes! In My Backyard) is mobilizing neighborhoods with targeted outreach to provide immediate housing and services for the homeless population of Hollywood and West Hollywood. The 3rd Annual Hollywood event will be launched Thursday, June 26th (7 a.m.- 1 p.m.) at the Music Box Fonda Theatre located at 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.
Links:
-Press Release (PDF)
-Sponsors and Participating Organizations
Hollywood Celebrates Y!MBY Connect Day - Thursday, June 26th
June 2006 - Project Y!MBY (Yes! In My Backyard) is mobilizing neighborhoods with targeted outreach to provide immediate housing and services for the homeless population of Hollywood and West Hollywood. The 3rd Annual Hollywood event will be launched Thursday, June 26th (7 a.m.- 1 p.m.) at the Music Box Fonda Theatre located at 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.
Links:
-Press Release (PDF)
-Sponsors and Participating Organizations
Hollywood Celebrates Y!MBY Connect Day - Thursday, June 26th
June 2006 - Project Y!MBY (Yes! In My Backyard) is mobilizing neighborhoods with targeted outreach to provide immediate housing and services for the homeless population of Hollywood and West Hollywood. The 3rd Annual Hollywood event will be launched Thursday, June 26th (7 a.m.- 1 p.m.) at the Music Box Fonda Theatre located at 6126 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.
Links:
-Press Release (PDF)
-Sponsors and Participating Organizations
Gramercy Housing Group Grand Re-Opening a Grand Success!
June 2006 - The Grand Re-opening of Gramercy Housing Group as a partner agency with PATH Partners was a grand success. Over sixty members of the community gathered at this transitional affordable housing site to celebrate Gramercy's work with young homeless moms and their children. The event drew a number of key figures from the community, including the honorable Councilmember Herb J. Wesson, artist Julie Bloch, PATH and Gramercy board members, and representatives from LAHSA and the Enterprise Foundation. Thank you to all of the businesses and community members who supported the Grand Re-Opening of Gramercy Housing Group!
Thanks Midnight Mission!
June 2006 - Thanks to The Midnight Mission for their ongoing support of the homeless at PATH! Their Mobile Kitchen arrives daily with lunches and hot meals for PATH's clients. Because of the dedicated service of The Midnight Mission, PATH is able to feed hundreds of men, women, and children with delicious and healthy meals. Serving 125 lunches a day throughout the entire year, The Midnight Mission helps serve the homeless at PATH by providing 45,625 meals a year! Thanks to the generosity of the donors at The Midnight Mission, their Mobile Kitchen is able to offer their services free of charge. The Midnight Mission continues to give the homeless in our community sustenance and service with a warm smile.
Beverly Hills Golf Classic to Benefit PATH
May 2006 - Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the 2006 Beverly Hills Golf Classic! A portion of the proceeds from the event, organized by Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce, will benefit PATH. The tournament offers business owners a great tool to promote your product or services or to entertain clients and customers, and is a fun way to support a worthy cause. Tournament features include 18 holes at the exquisite El Caballero Country Club, a putting contest, cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, and an awards banquet. If you would like to participate in the Beverly Hills Golf Classic on June 26, 2006, please visit www.beverlyhillschamber.com.
Volunteer of the Month
May 2006 - Congratulations to Glenn Cohen, PATH's volunteer of the month in June 2006! He serves in the PATHFinders Job & Career Center teaching Internet Workshops. Glenn consistently demonstrates patience, compassion and respect towards all of his students. His service here at PATH is greatly appreciated.
PATH Job Fair
May 2006 - The 2nd Annual PATH Employment Expo will be held at the Regional Homeless Center on Thursday, June 15th from 9am - noon. This community event, sponsored by Supervisor Yvonne Braithwaite Burke, Mexican Village and La Brea Bakery, will link several dozen local employers with homeless and low-income job-seekers. PATH is putting on this event in collaboration with the Work Opportunities Resource Committee (W.O.R.C.), a collaboration of various public and private employment service agencies who work together to increase job opportunities for the economically disadvantaged.
Employment Partnerships Putting People to Work
April 2006 - For several years, PATH has been working closely with the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Worksource Center to place homeless and low-income individuals into employment. On Friday, April 21st PATH participated in SELA's Job Fair and Open House; a very successful event that attracted over 30 employers, numerous organizations and hundreds of job seekers. PATH staff assisted in the planning of the event and hosted a resource table with information about PATH services. One of our Vera Brown Personal Care Center interns also provided free haircuts for 20 job-seekers! This event is just another example of the power of partnerships to empower people for self-sufficiency!
Give a Hug
April 2006 - This spring, help PATH share the transformational power of a mother's hug. Join our campaign to bring Hugs to homeless mothers. Purchase a "hug" in honor of the special women in your own life, and see your contribution go towards helping mothers at PATH find jobs and housing. Your honored person will have her name posted on our Hugs webpage, and she will also receive a card to let her know her love has been passed on to a person in need.
Your hug will embrace homeless mothers at PATH and show them that someone cares. To give to this campaign, please click here: Yes! I want to give a hug!
Our Partnerships at Work
March 2006 - PATHMall partner, Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Services, just opened the doors to their new permanent housing project near the Regional Homeless Center. Because of our collaborative partnership with the Hospital, we have been providing transitional housing to their clients as they move along the path to self-sufficiency.
PATHFinders Job Centers Produce Living Wage Earners
January 2006 - Homeless and low-income people struggling to find meaningful employment can get the resources and assistance they need at PATHFinders Job Centers. Through PATHFinders, we strive to give clients (or participants) employment opportunities that promote self-sufficiency - that is, living wage with benefits. This past quarter, our clients graduated the program with an amazing average wage of $10.04/hr, exceeding the established living wage for Los Angeles ($10.03/hr). In December alone, average wage at placement was a whopping $10.48/hr! The PATHFinders program offers workshops and training to equip clients with tangible,in-demand skills and confidence to secure high paying jobs! We hope that if you have the opportunity to hire new staff, you will consider recruiting from PATHFinders Job Centers. We can provide you with high-quality, pre-screened, work-ready employees who are eager to work for you! Please call Nicole Gon, Program Manager at 323-644-2207 for information or a tour of a PATHFinders Job Center near you. (Click "Read More" for the story of one client's success).
January 2006 - In December 2005, PATH was selected by the City of Glendale and Glendale Housing Authority to become the new agency sponsor of Project Achieve Glendale (www.achieveglendale.org), an integral service center for homeless individuals in Glendale, CA and surrounding areas. Since 1997, Project Achieve Glendale has assisted hundreds of families and individuals in returning to self-sufficiency by providing for their basic needs (e.g. food and clothing), and connecting them to a continuum of resources to secure permanent housing. The program currently operates an access center, street outreach team and 40-bed emergency beds for families and individuals. The program also gives eligible participants access to longer-term transitional and permanent housing. We are excited to welcome this new partner to the PATH family to extend a "hand up, not a hand-out" to the homeless in the Glendale community.
PATH will begin full operation of Project Achieve Glendale on July 1, 2006, with the City of Glendale overseeing the program during the interim period.