Homeless Children in US Reaches Historic High
When eight year old Joey arrived at Garden Park Apartments (GPA), he was depressed and anxious. He and his mother had been couch surfing and moving in and out of shelters for almost a year. Joey had never been able to attend school regularly, had no steady friends, suffered from stomachaches due to stress, and was traumatized. With child homelessness on the rise, 23% of the homeless in Contra Costa County are families and 24% of those seeking homeless services are under 17 years old. The impact of child homelessness is devastating and often leads to increased delinquency or criminality, emotional and
behavioral challenges, falling behind peers academically, and health challenges to name a few.
Joey and his family are among the lucky ones. After months on the wait list, they were able to move into a fully furnished, affordable apartment at GPA. CCIH’s comprehensive on-site services are helping them stabilize, regain routine, attend school, and provide hope that their lives will finally improve. Joey now attends school regularly and is making friends. Despite this good news, it is hard to fathom that in an industrialized nation like ours, 1 in 30 children are homeless annually, and the number continues to rise. n
cAlIFoRnIA ranks in the bottom three states nationally based on child homelessness, child well-being, risk for child homelessness, and state planning and policy efforts.
SoluTIonS To REducE chIld homElESSnESS (all utilized at ccIh)
• Safe and affordable housing
• Education and employment opportunities for parents/youth
• Comprehensive assessment of every family member’s need
• Trauma-informed care
• Identification, prevention, and treatment of depression in mothers
• Parenting support for mothers
• Evidence-based programs and services
1. High poverty rates
2. Lack of affordable housing
Racial disparities
Challenges of single parenting
Domestic violence and other trauma
Lingering effects of the economic recession
Woman of the Year and Live Your Dream Awards
Honor CCIH
Garden Park Apartments resident Justine Rawlings received the Live Your Dream Award and Executive Director Louise Bourassa was named Woman of the Year by Soroptimist International at a luncheon held on March 26 at the Contra Costa Country Club.
The Live Your Dream Award honors a deserving woman and helps her achieve a better life by offering resources needed to improve education, skills, and employment prospects. “Justine is a shining example of a young woman and mother determined to rise above the circumstances of her life,” says Louise, “She’s an inspiration to us all.”
Louise was named Woman of the Year in recognition of her tireless service and dedication to bettering the lives of homeless and poverty impacted families in addition to being active with community and school-based initiatives. In April, Louise will return to her nursing roots serving on a medical mission to Guatemala. n
Volunteer opportunities
hElP Run A SummER cAmP
Organize a group of friends to help run a week-long summer camp at one of our housing sites. Possibilities include dance camp, arts/crafts, science camp, music camp, and good ole’ summer fun!
SuPPoRT ouR FAll bAckPAck dRIVE
Help formerly homeless and low-income students succeed! We’re looking for corporations, faith communities, and service groups to help provide backpacks and school supplies in August.
bE A TuToR
We’re seeking compassionate individuals to help in our afterschool tutoring program in Concord and Pittsburg. Commitment is one afternoon per week and no experience necessary.
For more information or to become involved, please contact Volunteer Manager Gloria Bertolozzi at gloria@ccinterfaithhousing.org.
Ruby Slippers Inspires Outpouring of Support
Thanks to the generosity of more than 330 friends of Contra Costa Interfaith Housing who came together on January 31 at Round Hill Country Club, Ruby Slippers was the most successful yet, netting more than $220,000 to support homeless and poverty impacted families in Contra Costa County!
Guests enjoyed exciting silent and live auctions, an elegant dinner, and dancing to the mix of DJ Diamond Dave. Highlights of the evening included Justine, a resident of Garden Park Apartments, who eloquently told the story of her troubled youth, and ultimate spiral into addiction, jail, rehab, and homelessness. Now clean, sober, and a 4.0 student, she juggles work, school, and being a loving parent to her threeyear-old son. She received a standing ovation as she shared her appreciation for CCIH and the support she receives which continues to transform her life.
Many thanks to our sponsors, donors, and friends for making this fun evening such a success. If you’d like to be a part of this dynamic planning committee for next year’s event, to be held February 6, 2016, email erin@ccinterfaithhousing.org. n
justine Rawlings with louise bourassa.
TOP RIGHT: Mary and Walter Muller with Evelyn and Tommy Johnston; LEFT: Beryl and Ivor Silver; BOTTOM RIGHT: Nichole and Erick Ormsby with Anne Marie and Jim Walberg.
Overcoming the Impossible: A Family’s Triumph
Lisa and Raymond met on the streets over a decade ago eating biscuits from a plastic wrapper to survive. Their story is eye opening; a tale of homelessness and today, triumph. They were sleeping in borrowed cars, and a combined 20 years of meth addiction robbed them of friends, housing, health, and a bright future. When Lisa was eight months pregnant, they had nowhere to live.
The martinez-Van Gerrivink family is grateful for stable, affordable housing.
Lisa and Raymond have been through immense obstacles to get to where they are today. “We moved to Garden Park Apartments in 2006. We had nothing, and when we walked into our new apartment, it was completely furnished,” Lisa remembered with tears in her eyes. “They gave us everything. Our first box of cereal came from CCIH,” added Raymond, and works at her daughter’s elementary school doing yard duty. Their lives have completely changed, both being clean and sober for years now. “I’m excited for us to move forward. I want happiness for my children; I want to be there for them as well as continue my own education. I’d be dead on the streets if it wasn’t for CCIH. I wouldn’t be half of who I am today. Thanks to CCIH, I know we can do this.” n
who has been working full time for a year now. Though Lisa struggles with her health, she attended college,
Leadership Gift Honors Mom, Helps Homeless Families
When Theresa Falk was looking to sell her home last year, she thought, “This is the perfect time to honor my mom on her 80th birthday. I knew she didn’t want anything, but I wanted to support a cause that was important to her. Inclusive communities and affordable housing are on top of her list.”
Once her house in Lafayette sold, Theresa donated some of her belongings to furnish apartments for homeless families and made a major gift in honor of her mom, Mary Fenelon, who is a board member of Contra Costa Interfaith Housing. This generous support is helping homeless and low-income families stabilize and develop greater self-reliance while also helping Theresa offset capital gains tax from the sale of her home.
“I think she was pretty shocked at what I had done. But we have been so incredibly fortunate in our lives. If
we need anything, we just buy what we want. I knew that this gift would make a big difference for CCIH and homeless and low-income families.”
Mary is a remarkable person deserving of such an honor, and shows no signs of slowing down. She serves on the board of several social justice initiatives and just returned from Cuba as part of the League of Women’s Voter’s exchange to end decades of isolation by building trust and improving relations among all people. Thank you both for helping to transform the lives of those in need. n
New Affordable Housing Units to Serve 48 Homeless Residents
Responding to the needs of the chronically homeless in Contra Cost County, CCIH will add 32 units of affordable scattered site housing this summer providing permanent homes to 48 chronically homeless individuals with mental health challenges. Partnering with local landlords in the community, CCIH will master lease units, ensure they are properly maintained, and provide support services to residents in their new homes. Studies reveal this type of permanent supportive housing reduces the use of high cost crisis services otherwise used by homeless people. We look forward to partnerships with many landlords as part of this lifechanging program. n
Theresa Falk (left) with her mom, mary Fenelon.
Contra Costa Interfaith Housing
3164 Putnam Boulevard, Suite C
Walnut Creek, California 94597
As of May 15, please note our new address:
Contra Costa Interfaith Housing 399 Taylor Boulevard, Suite 115 Pleasant Hill, California 94523
Volunteers Brighten Lives
loVE IS In ThE AIR! Thanks to Wendy Levich and Betty Bond, children at Garden Park Apartments enjoyed a sweet treat on Valentine’s Day.
EAGlE ScouT TRooP led by Adam Rideout makes beautiful garden beds for Garden Park Apartments.
TEmPlE ISAIAh VolunTEERS Amy Faltz and Pat Reyes provided a delicious meal at a monthly meeting where residents help shape programs to improve their lives.
A locAl GIRl ScouT TRooP delivered generous and thoughtful presents for our Adopt-A-Family program.
lAmoRIndA SunRISE RoTARy and friends donated their time and strength to help a formerly homeless family move into their apartment in Pleasant Hill.