LifeSTEPS

NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS TRENDS IN CHILD HOMELESSNESS

Jim Phelps — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:17:56 +0000

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of homelessness is the effect it has on children. According to America’s Youngest Outcasts 2010, a groundbreaking report from the National Center on Family Homelessness, child homelessness increased 38% from 2007 to 2010.

In their monthly Affordable Housing Podcast, Eden Housing presents an interview with Dr. Ellen Bassuk, founder and president of NCFH. In this interview she discusses some of the highlights from this report, including trends in family and child homelessness across America and Federal policy priorities for 2012. Click here to listen to the podcast.

UNITED WAY CALIFORNIA CAPITAL REGION HONORS LifeSTEPS VOLUNTEER

Jim Phelps — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:47:05 +0000

United Way California Capital Region held a reception to honor the area’s “Super” Volunteers on January 26. LifeSTEPS volunteer Verna Raphael was one such super volunteer. A bright shining star in her senior community, Verna assists her neighbors in preparing food donations and provides great encouragement to those who are in need. Her enthusiasm, vibrancy and compassion are qualities that make Verna a perfect volunteer for LifeSTEPS! It is quite easy for seniors to feel lonely and forgotten – Verna’s encouragement helps her neighbors see that there is a silver lining in everything – no matter how seasoned they are!

To honoring Verna’s hard work, California AssemblyMember (Fifth District) Richard Pan provided Verna with a Certificate of Recognition. Way to go, Verna!

BELLA VISTA CHILDREN RECEIVE NEW BIKES

Jim Phelps — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:25:30 +0000

Twenty Bella Vista children received a late visit from Santa when they were given the handles to their new bicycles the last Friday in December. The children, students in LifeSTEPS After School Program at the property, were thrilled to receive such an unexpected surprise. The gift of new bicycles was especially significant for one family who had moved into their new apartment over the holidays. Because the family had to use all of their money for to move, their three children did not receive anything for Christmas. All three of the children received a new bicycle which their tearfully grateful mother called, “a wonderful surprise”.

The bicycles were a gift from Riverside Charitable. The mission of Riverside Charitable includes fostering the creation, management and preservation of supportive service-enriched affordable housing for people of lower income. LifeSTEPS, Riverside Charitable’s nonprofit social services partner, assisted in identifying bicycle recipients (After School Program participants) and helped facilitate the donation. A total of 31 bicycles were donated. The 11 remaining bikes will be raffled, with proceeds benefitting the After School Program.

WELCOME KAYCIE SIMMONS TO OUR TEAM!

Jim Phelps — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:51:22 +0000

Kaycie Simmons has joined LifeSTEPS as our new Program Operations Assistant. Welcome aboard, Kaycie! We’re glad you’re here. Kaycie will be supporting Meredith and the Operations team.

LifeSTEPS AWARDED A $5,000 GRANT FROM THE ARATA BROTHERS

Jim Phelps — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:44:30 +0000

The Arata Brothers Trust awarded LifeSTEPS with a $5,000 grant to support after school programs in the Sacramento region! We are thrilled to receive this funding…and continue to do outstanding work with Sacramento children!

EDISON INTERNATIONAL FUNDS LifeSTEPS CLIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – HELPING LOW WAGE EARNERS SUSTAIN HOUSING

Jim Phelps — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:42:38 +0000

RIVERSIDE, CA – January 6, 2012 – In Riverside and Imperial counties, LifeSTEPS provides services at 26 affordable housing communities. These communities are characterized by rental rates that allow very low-income families, seniors and individuals to pay rent that is within their financial means. Within affordable housing communities, access to resident centered supportive services and strong connections with neighbors can help residents maintain housing and move forward. The people LifeSTEPS serves are the most vulnerable populations: the working poor, senior citizens, and children living in poverty. They are, literally, one medical emergency, flat tire, or lost job hours away from potential homelessness. Thanks to financial support from contributors like Edison International, LifeSTEPS has established the LifeSTEPS Client Assistance Program. Edison International has committed $10,000 to this program to be expended on behalf of residents living in Riverside and Imperial counties.

LifeSTEPS actively seeks supports from private donors and foundations for the Client Assistance Program so that we can continue to be a powerful solution in catching people before they fall into homelessness. With this $10,000 award from Edison International LifeSTEPS will ensure that even more people remain housed – and acquire the knowledge and skills that will help them -and generations to come – to rise out of poverty.