At Union Station Homeless Services we are seeing more people experiencing homelessness for the first time. People like you and me who have always held a job, paid their rent, and maintained their independence…until recently. I want to introduce you to Shanika – a young mother who represents an all too common face of homelessness in this difficult economy.

Last year, Shanika had her first child - a little girl named Monika. When a new mom is expecting, she is filled with joy, hope and all the possibilities that come with a new life - but when Monika arrived 3 months premature, “I just was not ready,” says Shanika.

From there, a series of misfor-tunes pushed their lives into utter chaos. Shanika expended all her time off work, and when a bad accident totalled her car, she lost her job at the local bank and could no longer pay her rent.

“I was in a small town with no public transportation. I had no way to return to work, no transportation, no child care, and no family nearby,” says Shanika.

Shanika remembers how painful it was to realize she was homeless. “I’m a proactive person. I’m a strong person. I’ve always had it together. This is the hardest situation I have ever faced.”

She used the last of her savings to return to her hometown of Los Angeles, where she planned to stay with a close friend while she looked for a job to get back on her feet. She soon realized times are hard everywhere when her friend found herself in a similar situation – suddenly out of a job and at risk of losing it all.

“We called 211, the County’s homeless prevention line together,” says Shanika. “They told us about Union Station.”

They came to Passageways, Union Station’s intake center, and were referred to our Family Center. The experience was more than

Shanika could have hoped:

“You think of a shelter as a cot on a cold floor, but coming to the Family Center was safe and comfortable. They fed us. They clothed us. They gave me everything I needed.” says Shanika. “I was stressed more than I knew. Union Station allowed me to think clearly and make a plan for myself. It takes a lot of pressure off when you know you are safe and don’t have to worry about where to sleep or what to eat.”

While at the Family Center, she received everything she needed to get back on her feet, including new clothes, diapers, food, case management, child care, and help finding an apartment.

“They pushed me to be motivated,” say Shanika. “With Union Station providing so many basic resources – it allowed me to save my money so that I could move out.”

In January, Shanika and Monika moved into their apartment. “I can’t express my gratitude for all the things Union Station has done for us,” says Shanika. “Union Station was the stepping stone I needed to get back on my feet. This has been the ideal experience - when you think of being homeless, you don’t think of a place like this! This experience has pushed me to be a better person. I’ll come back to volunteer. I want to talk to people here and help them learn that your motivation has to come from inside you.”

Shanika is excited about planning her future. She has an accounting background and dreams of working in medical billing. “I hope to continue my career at a hospital or in a doctor’s office, so that I can build a life and buy a home.”

We are proud to have helped this family in need, and we could not have done it without your support. Thank you.

Warmly,

Marvin Gross, CEO

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN

REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND END HOMELESSNESS

Dear Friends,

HOUSING + EMPLOYMENT + LIFE SKILLS 825 E. ORANGE GROVE BLVD. PASADENA, CA 91104 WWW.UNIONSTATIONHS.ORG (626) 240-4550

NEWS + SPRING + 2012CONNECT ONLINE:

Today, Shanika’s daughter Monika is happy and healthy. She learned to walk and talk at the Family Center.

IN THIS ISSUE

2 4 3

Residents Advocacy Council New Housing Department A Heartfelt Message

Save the Date: A Place to Call Home Gala Event Thanks to our Corporate and Community Partners

Donor Thank You Party Goodbye to Good Friends

Newsletter Spring 12 copy.indd 1 3/29/12 4:32 PM

Thank you for being part of the solutionWe know we can not end homelessness alone. Here are just a few of the groups that helped this season.

Las Encinas Hospital helped Union Station secure a grant of $8,000.

New Housing Department will house clients faster Lack of affordable housing is not only pushing households into homelessness, but

also forcing many of our clients to remain at our shelters for longer periods of time while they struggle to save money for rent. In response, Union Station established a Housing Department in January 2012! Led by a Sandy Peterson, the Housing Department staff will access the housing needs of all our residents, assist them with housing applications, provide advocacy, and cultivate a landlord network. This will allow our case managers more time to work with our clients while they address and overcome personal barriers to employment and housing.

If you are a property owner, or if you know of anyone that can help us identify affordable housing for our clients, please contact Sandy Peterson at speterson@unionstationhs.org.

New Residents Advocacy Council gives residents a voice

At Union Station, we are not just rebuilding lives – we are building community. When we first began providing services at Centennial Place, a 144-unit permanent supportive housing building in Old Town Pasadena, our staff wanted to create safe community that people would be proud to call home.

“I quickly learned that the best way to serve the residents was to ask them what they needed,” says Hillary Evans, Union Station’s Programs Services Manager at Centennial Place.

“We have an excellent Support Services team,” says Christopher, a Centennial Place resident. “They are part of our extended family and they’re always willing to help whenever they can.”

What began as an informal dialogue between residents and staff has developed into an exciting tool for the residents’ empowerment. The new Residents Advocacy Council (RAC) consists of elected representatives from each floor, who work with staff from Union Station and our nonprofit partner, Abode Community, to identify residents’ needs and offer solutions.

“My involvement with the RAC is my way of being proactive in bringing about positive change and improving the quality of life here at Centennial Place,” says Jacque, who represents the residents of the 4th floor.

“We have been so impressed by the professionalism, energy, and passion that the team has put forth,” says Hillary. “What has most impressed me is their desire to be solutions focused -- I learn from them constantly.”

“This partnership should be promoted as a template!” says Pierre, another RAC member. “I am grateful to be a part of the efforts of this newly-formed advocacy counsel.”

“We have this incredible opportunity to make these single room occupancy units a place we can call home,” say Richard, 2nd floor RAC representative. “Everyone involved in Centennial Place encourages the potential within us to be united or reunited with mainstream society as productive members. Successful lives are here among us!”

To date, Union Station has transitioned nearly 100 formerly homeless individuals into their own apartments at Centennial Place.

Centennial Place Residents Advocacy Council members, from left: Pierre, Jacque, Richard and Christopher.

A Heartfelt Message from a Volunteer turned Veteran Staffer! Hello Marv, Gregg, and Cynthia,

I want to write you on this day -- my 24th Anniversary with Union Station Homeless Services - Wooo-whooooo!!!! Who knew showing up every day would result in that?! It never occured to me that I would be here this long, but I am so happy it worked out this way.

When I first volunteered in 1985, it was in response to an article about Union Station opening a 20-bed shelter in the basement of First Congregational Church. At the time I was working at the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and although I enjoyed it very much, it certainly wasn’t feeding my soul. Back then, overnight volunteers were scheduled once a month, but I was always glad to pick up additional nights when other volunteers needed a night off. Dinner preparation was “seat of our pants” style...just hoping someone would drop off a good donation. Otherwise, the pantry usually offered bread, peanut butter and jelly, and countless cans of soup. But the meals were delivered with love, compassion, and good humor by staff and volunteers alike, and graciously accepted by our overnight guests. It was a joy and a privilege to be part of that great adventure, and I was thrilled to join the staff on January 18, 1988.

Twenty four years later I still have that sense of adventure when I come to work. I look around and think to myself, “I can’t believe I get to work with all these amazing people!” And I still believe our clients are some of the most courageous people I’ve ever met. The work we do at Union Station still feeds my soul and I am so grateful to be part of it. Thanks so much for being the incredible leaders you are. I admire each one of you very much.

Sincerely,Liz Shelby

Newsletter Spring 12 copy.indd 2 3/29/12 4:33 PM

Rockin’ for the Homeless II, held at the Thursday Club in La Canada-Flintridge, raised more than $42,000 to support Union Station! Bradley Schwartz, a Union Station

Homeless Services supporter and board member, and his wife Vicki, created the

event in 2010 to raise money and awareness for the organization. Nearly 200 guests

enjoyed delicious food by El Cholo and Dona Rosa Mexican Restaurant, and danced the

night away to local bands, The Untouchables and That’s What She Said.

Thank you for being part of the solutionWe know we can not end homelessness alone. Here are just a few of the groups that helped this season.

More than 200 people helped “Put the Fork in Hunger” with a concert and food drive at Eden Garden Bar and Grill. Sponsored and organized by The Magazine, The Weekly Insider, Edward Moriarty, Rob Floe, Fork in the Road Gang (Phil Coombes, Ken Marshall, Bob Stane), Violet’s Cakes, Majestical Roof, Mignon Chocolates, and Mick Rossi, the event featured musicians Karmina, Kitty Clementine, and Right the Stars and helped raise more than $4,000 and half a ton of food for Union Station!

A fabulous volunteer group, ‘Big Hearts, Small Hands,’

raised funds for a new dishwasher and dishes!Las Encinas Hospital helped Union Station secure a grant of $8,000.

Our neighbors from KPCC served lunch at the Adult Center.

YOU CAN BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TOO! Does your company, organization or school want to support Union Station Homeless Services? To learn more about how to get involved visit www.unionstationhs.org/host_event.html or contact Tracey Kardash at (626) 240-4558.

JOIN US fOR THIS VERy SPECIAL GALA BENEfIT DINNER

HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF

Become an Event Sponsor n Donate an Auction ItemBuy a Ticket n Purchase a Tribute Ad

Visit www.unionstationhs.org/annual_benefit_dinner or call Amanda at (626) 240-4559.

Margo and Ralph Kidushim

Hector Elizondo

A Heartfelt Message from a Volunteer turned Veteran Staffer! Hello Marv, Gregg, and Cynthia,

I want to write you on this day -- my 24th Anniversary with Union Station Homeless Services - Wooo-whooooo!!!! Who knew showing up every day would result in that?! It never occured to me that I would be here this long, but I am so happy it worked out this way.

When I first volunteered in 1985, it was in response to an article about Union Station opening a 20-bed shelter in the basement of First Congregational Church. At the time I was working at the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, and although I enjoyed it very much, it certainly wasn’t feeding my soul. Back then, overnight volunteers were scheduled once a month, but I was always glad to pick up additional nights when other volunteers needed a night off. Dinner preparation was “seat of our pants” style...just hoping someone would drop off a good donation. Otherwise, the pantry usually offered bread, peanut butter and jelly, and countless cans of soup. But the meals were delivered with love, compassion, and good humor by staff and volunteers alike, and graciously accepted by our overnight guests. It was a joy and a privilege to be part of that great adventure, and I was thrilled to join the staff on January 18, 1988.

Twenty four years later I still have that sense of adventure when I come to work. I look around and think to myself, “I can’t believe I get to work with all these amazing people!” And I still believe our clients are some of the most courageous people I’ve ever met. The work we do at Union Station still feeds my soul and I am so grateful to be part of it. Thanks so much for being the incredible leaders you are. I admire each one of you very much.

Sincerely,Liz Shelby

Congressman Adam Schiff

Newsletter Spring 12 copy.indd 3 3/29/12 4:33 PM

Goodbye to Good friendsWe consider every person who helps us achieve our mission to be a special part of the Union Station family, so it is particularly sad when we lose one of our own. We would like to take a moment to say goodbye to two very dear friends.

Ted Congdon was a charming, sophisticated and highly accomplished person. His devotion to Union Station went beyond his board member-ship; in partnership with Merv Fair, he operated a very popular weekly woodcraft class in the parking lot of the Adult Center for more than 10 years. Ted was a regular fixture at Union Station, and was loved by the class participants for his gentle demeanor, warm smile, and large brimmed sailors hat! We all will miss our friend a great deal.

Madeline Mark was an extremely bright and positive person, who always brought an upbeat sense of inspiration and fun wherever she went. During her years in Pasadena, she made hundreds of friends and made a deep and positive impact on this community. Madeline had a passion for social justice, and became involved with Union Station through the Pasadena Jewish Temple’s Adopt-a-Meal group. When we opened the Family Center in 2003, she was one of the first volunteers to organize a monthly Adopt-a-Meal at the new site. She will be remembered for her loving spirit and exceptional insight into others -- she was the quintessential people person! She will be truly missed.

825 E. Orange Grove Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91104

www.unionstationhs.org(626) 240 -4550

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN

REBUILD THEIR LIVES AND END HOMELESSNESS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Arnold Siegel, ChairRandy A. Shulman, Vice ChairTerry Krupczak, TreasurerElizabeth Trussell, SecretaryMichael DannekerJill A. Fosselman Maxine HarrisLinda Jahnke Diana Peterson-MoreElliot A. Sainer Bradley D. Schwartz Vickie Taylor Charles Thuss Gregory R. VanniLyla L. White

EXECUTIVE STAFFRabbi Marvin M. Gross, CEOCynthia Foster, COOGregg von Fempe, Director of Programs Tracey S. Kardash, Director of Development Sandy Potter, Director of Volunteer and Community Programs

NEWSLETTERDana BeanAmanda M. GreenTracey S. KardashSevana Keshishian

“ ”Union Station helped me through a difficult time in my life. I now look to a future that is brighter and filled with opportunity.

…you have helped our clients achieve a better life!

Please let us say thank you at a special event for our Leadership Circle members.

Sunday, April 15, 2pm – 5pm 825 Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena

Donors contributing a minimum of $500 to Union Station are invited tojoin the celebration free of charge. RSVP Required: Call (626) 240-4557.

Event Committee: Mindy Stein, Nancy Fairchild, Sherry Kirsheimer, Octavia Thuss

JOIN US!

If you are unable join us

on April 15th, call (626) 240-4558 to take a tour!

Newsletter Spring 12 copy.indd 4 3/29/12 4:33 PM