40-40-40 ... Day 9: The Center
Time for another guest blog! This one comes from my friend Nathan Sheets, who interned for me while I was the Communications Editor at Friends United Meeting in Richmond, Indiana. Now Nathan is working in Hollywood as the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of an organization that is working to end isolation and homelessness in Hollywood. What?! How incredible is that?! He shares with us just a taste of what The Center at Blessed Sacrament is all about:
THE CENTER
Long before any of the current staff knew the place existed, "Social Services at Blessed Sacrament" and the staff/volunteers therein were devoted to facilitating a chaotic shower and (occasional) meal program, where people shuffled in as fast as the showers they were allowed. John F. was around in those days.
“It wasn’t pretty,” he laughed as he talked, recalling how his life has transformed from those dreary times.
Less than two years ago, John began a journey that allowed him to obtain permanent housing, in order than he could also (better) focus on sobriety. Since then, John has flourished, as has the Center in its outreach to not only those experiencing homelessness, but also for women, and individuals (like John) who are relatively new to housing.
These days, John – now in housing, and several months sober – precisely manicures the olive trees and bushes on the Center’s campus. Daily at 9 a.m., John, with a worn ball cap adorning his balding head to shield from the blistering L.A. sun, sweeps the sidewalk in front of the Center in effort to sustain the beauty of this place for others.
Anything for the Center – this place has kept me that way…centered.The Center’s model these days focuses on holistic wellness, most specifically directed for people who are chronically homeless in Hollywood. Daily, the Center opens its doors to provide safe and inclusive community for many individuals who are often not accessing other services. The hope of the model is to create a gateway for folks who are especially marginalized, isolated, and ill.
Less than two years ago, John began a journey that allowed him to obtain permanent housing, in order than he could also (better) focus on sobriety. Since then, John has flourished, as has the Center in its outreach to not only those experiencing homelessness, but also for women, and individuals (like John) who are relatively new to housing.
The "Flourishing in Housing" group was started as a result of an increase in Center participants continuing to access the trauma-informed groups, and engagement opportunities, even after obtaining permanent housing. Now, led by Rome Loredo, the Center’s Housing Retention Specialist, the Center hosts barbecues, field trips and special opportunities for this burgeoning Center sub-community.
John has had the opportunity to help host – at his apartment complex – a couple of the Center barbecues, which are ultimately designed to engage more folks who are new to housing and break down walls of isolation that remain present.
“We’re hoping to create long lasting relationships not only with the Center but amongst the Center participants,” said Loredo – who now also leads groups off-site and closer to where folks live, often outside of expensive Hollywood.
At last count, there were more than 2,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in Hollywood. Nearly 40 percent of those are chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for more than a year. In November of 2016 voters in the county of Los Angeles approved Measure "H" which raised the sales tax in order to raise funds for more outreach, supportive services, and housing subsidies. Some of those funds are accessed by the Center, but much of the voter-approved initiatives do not fund the innovative programming that the Center offers.
Each year the Center must raise funds in order to provide the space necessary for people like John to move at their own pace, in a nurturing environment. Using progressive methods tailored to those with severe mental illness, chronic homelessness, and substance abuse disorders, the Center carefully sculpts its programming to reach people who are the most vulnerable. The entire effort starts with an invitation, a cup of coffee, and a safe space for people to connect.
“Ultimately,” said Loredo, “we want to help them create their own community within the Center community.”
LEARN more about The Center.
FOLLOW The Center on Facebook or Instagram.
ATTEND an activity in Hollywood.
VOLUNTEER at The Center, or find a local program using Volunteer Match.
DONATE to The Center to help end isolation and homelessness in Hollywood.
John has had the opportunity to help host – at his apartment complex – a couple of the Center barbecues, which are ultimately designed to engage more folks who are new to housing and break down walls of isolation that remain present.
“We’re hoping to create long lasting relationships not only with the Center but amongst the Center participants,” said Loredo – who now also leads groups off-site and closer to where folks live, often outside of expensive Hollywood.
At last count, there were more than 2,000 individuals experiencing homelessness in Hollywood. Nearly 40 percent of those are chronically homeless, meaning they have been homeless for more than a year. In November of 2016 voters in the county of Los Angeles approved Measure "H" which raised the sales tax in order to raise funds for more outreach, supportive services, and housing subsidies. Some of those funds are accessed by the Center, but much of the voter-approved initiatives do not fund the innovative programming that the Center offers.
Each year the Center must raise funds in order to provide the space necessary for people like John to move at their own pace, in a nurturing environment. Using progressive methods tailored to those with severe mental illness, chronic homelessness, and substance abuse disorders, the Center carefully sculpts its programming to reach people who are the most vulnerable. The entire effort starts with an invitation, a cup of coffee, and a safe space for people to connect.
“Ultimately,” said Loredo, “we want to help them create their own community within the Center community.”
ACTION STEPS
LEARN more about The Center.
FOLLOW The Center on Facebook or Instagram.
ATTEND an activity in Hollywood.
VOLUNTEER at The Center, or find a local program using Volunteer Match.
DONATE to The Center to help end isolation and homelessness in Hollywood.
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