housing
A Day Reporting Center Success Story: Megan
“Megan (Name changed for confidentiality) is a prime example of someone who refuses to give up. After having spent 23 years in prison, she was released and then shortly after, was diagnosed with Cancer. Not only did she not let her time spent in prison keep her down, she beat her cancer after multiple surgeries and rounds of medication that would make many of us want to give up. Megan’s more recent battle however was finding housing for herself. After being approved by the Fresno Housing Authority for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the struggle of being approved for an apartment was a daunting task. We all know how frustrating the application process can be, not to mention costly with all the application fees. It was not easy, but after a couple of months, she was approved and recently moved into her new apartment! But that is not all. It was not just Megan who got a new home. We had a kitty, loved by many of the staff here at the Belmont Health & Wellness facility that she adopted and now has a forever home for as well. We are very proud of Megan here at the Day Reporting Center program. She is a perfect example of not giving up and finding happiness despite what life throws at you.” – Edan Keven, Placement Coordinator, WestCare California’s Day Reporting Center
For over 40 years, WestCare California has been providing an opportunity for individuals to lead fuller, richer lives. Our team of multi-cultural, experienced and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors. Our goal is to uplift the human spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
WestCare provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our service domains include mental health & wellness, substance abuse and addiction treatment, housing opportunities, education & prevention, criminal justice and veterans programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents and families.
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September 16th – 30th: “Fresno’s HOMERUN”
“Ending homelessness is not an easy task. It requires more than just wanting to get it done. It requires determination, perseverance, the ability to work tirelessly and sometimes going against seemingly impossible tides. It requires collaboration and commitment.”
During the month of September, such collaboration and commitment of various agencies resulted in a Rapid Rehousing housing push, coined “Fresno HOMERUN”. The idea for this housing push came from Iain De Jong of OrgCode Consulting, as he was in Fresno providing a training to our coordinated entry agencies. Funding for this initiative came from the County of Fresno ($65,000) and needed to be expended by September 30th. As these funds were to provide short term rental assistance, Fresno decided to focus on individuals identified as needing rapid rehousing intervention through our coordinated entry assessment tool. WestCare California, Poverello House and Turning Point of Central California joined forces and were able to assist in housing a total of 43 people in just two weeks. Services offered included, double deposit, rental assistance for 2 months and PG&E deposits and arrears if needed. From September 16th to September 30th, these agencies expended a grand total of $54,156.72 that ended homelessness for 23 households, 7 of which were households with children. The lives of 43 people have been changed. They have a new lease on life and a second chance at the American dream. During this housing push, we were also able to establish relationships with 8 new landlords. Regency Property Management made a substantial commitment to our efforts, offering 13 of their vacant units. Las Villas apartments were also very receptive and were able to reserve 3 units for this initiative. The staff of Royal Realty secured 2 units, while Cedar Tree II, Carl McNight, Canyon Park Apartments, and Park Avenue Apartments all committed 1 unit each for the housing push. The success of the housing push would not have been possible if it weren’t for the collaborative efforts of these agencies and property companies. Thank you to everyone that participated in making this housing push a “Homerun!”
– Esther Carnegie – Housing Locator and MaryAnn Calderon – Program Coordinator, WestCare California Housing Services
For over 40 years, WestCare California has been providing an opportunity for individuals to lead fuller, richer lives. Our team of multi-cultural, experienced and credentialed staff is dedicated to providing the best care to everyone who enters our doors. Our goal is to uplift the human spirit by providing the skills and support necessary for individuals to achieve their dreams and transform their lives.
WestCare provides a wide spectrum of health and human services in both residential and outpatient environments. Our service domains include mental health & wellness, substance abuse and addiction treatment, housing opportunities, education & prevention, criminal justice and veterans programs. These services are available to adults, children, adolescents, and families.
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“Welcome Home” by Erin Shelton, WestCare California – Housing Opportunities
“Welcome Home”
“Crystal was brought to MAP Point by Tasha Marin at Fresno EOC. Fresno EOC paid for a hotel stay for Crystal and her six year old niece, whom she legally adopted because her mother could no longer care for her. Crystal had been out of work for a long period of time and was just trying to make a better life for her and her niece. Sara Rios of WestCare California was Crystal’s point of contact at MAP Point. Sara scheduled an intake with the ESG program and that’s where i stepped in to help the ESG case managers and completed the intake process for them! Crystal was a very special case because she was handed over to the amazing team (Tasha Marin and Sara Rios). With that being said, Crystal secured housing and came to MAP Point document ready. All that Crystal needed was a little help by caring people and assistance with a deposit. We were able to sign documents with the apartment complex the very next day and move her in that same day! Crystal was so excited, as you can see by the gorgeous smile on her face. She is settling into her new apartment and is so very grateful for the amazing work that the team has done for her and her niece.”
– Erin Shelton, Case Manager, Housing Opportunities
WestCare California focuses on providing critical and quality services to assist individuals and/or families to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness. Programs such as Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and Project LiftOFF provide housing and address the multiple needs of homeless adults & their children. WestCare uses the Housing First Model which has proven that homeless and at-risk individuals are more responsive to interventions and social services support after they are housed, rather than as a precondition of housing.
Multi-Agency Access Program (MAP) is an integrated intake process which connects individuals facing housing, substance abuse, physical health, or mental illness challenges to supportive services matching individuals and families to the right resources at the right time. This is accomplished through an established and formalized collaboration of service providers, leveraging existing community resources, eliminating barriers and assisting consumer’s access supportive services.
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From Erin Shelton, WestCare California, Inc. – Housing Opportunities
We would like to thank Erin Shelton from WestCare California. Inc. Housing Opportunities for her submissions to the blog this week! The pictures and quotes are beautiful.
Uplifting the human spirit
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Oorah – Raymond Gonzalez, SJVV Outreach Specialist
Hi, my name is Raymond Gonzales. I work as an Outreach Specialist with San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV) and have been in this position for over a year and a half. I’ve previously worked with Westcare eight years as an alcohol and drug counselor.
I served in the United States Marines in the 70’s and 80’s, while the Iran hostage Crisis was happening in 1979, and was deployed to Okinawa, and Korea. I am proud to have served my country and would go again if I could.
I am thrilled to be throwing out the first pitch at WestCare Night/San Joaquin Valley Veterans Night! Let us always remember to show appreciation for our military! Happy Fourth of July weekend and Go Grizzlies!
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The Loop – WestCare California’s Newsletter
WestCare LOOP – 62 March – April 2018
WestCare LOOP – 61 February 2018
WestCare LOOP – 60 January 2018
WestCare LOOP – 59 November/December 2017
WestCare LOOP – 58 September/October 2017
WestCare LOOP – 57 August 2017
WestCare LOOP – 54 April/May 2017
WestCare LOOP – 52 February 2017
WestCare LOOP – 51 January 2017
WestCare LOOP – 50 December 2016
WestCare LOOP – 49 November 2016
WestCare LOOP – 48 October 2016
WestCare LOOP – 47 September 2016
WestCare LOOP – 46 August 2016
WestCare LOOP – 40 February 2016
WestCare LOOP – 39 January 2016
WestCare LOOP – 38 November/December 2015
WestCare LOOP – 37 October 2015
WestCare LOOP – 36 September 2015
WestCare LOOP – 35 August 2015
WestCare LOOP – 29 February 2015
WestCare LOOP – 28 January 2015
WestCare LOOP – 27 December 2014
WestCare LOOP – 26 November 2014
WestCare LOOP – 25 October 2014
WestCare LOOP – 24 September 2014
WestCare LOOP – 23 August 2014
WestCare LOOP – 17 February 2014
WestCare LOOP – 16 January 2014
WestCare LOOP – 15 December 2013
WestCare LOOP – 14 November 2013
WestCare LOOP – 13 October 2013
WestCare LOOP – 12 September 2013
WestCare LOOP – 11 August 2013
WestCare LOOP – 5 February 2013
WestCare LOOP – 4 January 2013
WestCare LOOP – 3 December 2012
WestCare LOOP – 2 November 2012
WestCare LOOP – 1 October 2012
