Hope through Housing prepares students for 2018 – 2019 School Year

Summer break is in full swing for the children Hope through Housing serves. As they enjoy summer fun, we are working with our partners to make sure they have what they need for a successful 2018-19 school year. This includes everything from tackling the achievement gap to providing school supplies and homework help.

Several National CORE communities are offering reading programs this summer accompanied by arts and crafts activities, games and prizes. Summer reading is a critical part of the back-to-school strategy because it minimizes learning loss, which is especially prevalent among economically disadvantaged children due to their lack of access to books, technology and other stimulating activities this time of year. Research shows that by 5th grade, low-income children without summer learning opportunities are already two years behind their peers.

In July, our backpack and school supply drives begin. Hope through Housing is working with our donor partners to make the drives a success. “We have some incredible back-to-school events taking place this summer,” said Brian Woods, Regional Director, San Diego. “It is times like these when we really see the community come together to take care of our kids. We are grateful for our partners because we can’t do it alone.”

We’re also excited to announce a new partnership with Victoria Gardens! We’ll be participating in Kidz Fest, which takes place on Saturday, Aug. 11 and includes entertainment, crafts and a fashion show that will benefit Hope through Housing. The show will feature community members of distinction and our residents modeling the latest back-to-school fashions. Tickets to attend the fashion show are $40 per person and will include access to the VIP seating area, a swag bag, food samples and refreshments. Ticket can be purchased at www.hthf.org beginning July 1st.

Hope through Housing also will conduct a Back to School giving campaign to support our 30 afterschool programs, which offer a safe haven for children in kindergarten through eighth grades between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. when they are most vulnerable. The programs provide homework help, a healthy snack, creative and educational activities and physical fitness. “Our afterschool programs are not only important for our students; they also provide our parents with peace of mind and an opportunity to pursue their own goals,” said Greg Bradbard, Hope through Housing President. “A donation to Hope through Housing is a step toward a brighter future for entire families.”

To join in Hope through Housing’s mission to support school success, visit: https://hthf.org/ways-to-give/back-to-school/.

From the Golf Course to the Board Room

Larry Van Noy has been acquiring and managing apartment communities since the 1990s. What started as an investment plan for his parents has become a way of life and made it possible for Larry to build the future he wanted for himself and his family.
It all started in the 1970’s when his parents, looking for income to supplement their pensions, purchased their first building in 1973. Growing up, Larry remembers helping with odds and ends at the property.

In 1995, when Larry took the helm of the family business, they owned and managed 30 apartment units in two buildings. Larry grew their holdings to 268 units in 14 buildings in the Counties of Ventura, Los Angeles and San Diego and the state of Oklahoma.
Today, Larry has started to downsize in order to have more time for one of his favorite pastimes, golf. It was on the golf course where a chance meeting with Andy Wright, co-founder of National CORE and Hope through Housing, gave him the opportunity to give back to a community that has been so good to him and his family.

When Andy learned that Larry was an owner of apartment buildings, he quickly chimed in, “me too”. Larry laughed when Andy stated that his organization owned and managed approximately 9,000 units. It did not take long for Larry to become intrigued by National CORE and Hope through Housing. Their unique approach to affordable housing was something that he had not seen before. “I was impressed with the team. I have never worked with a group of individuals who were more committed to helping families move up and out of their apartments. I love that about the organization because it allows them to help more families who need affordable housing”.

Larry joined the Board of Directors of Hope through Housing Foundation in 2017 and is a founding member of its Executive Leadership Council (ELC). “I am in a place in my life where I have the luxury of being able to support Hope through Housing not only financially, but also with my time. I believe that the ELC will allow Hope through Housing to expand its reach so it can have an even greater impact. We are looking for like-minded individuals to join the ELC and to be part of this journey. It is through investment in these communities that we will break the cycle of poverty for children and families”.

To learn more about Hope through Housing’s Executive Leadership Council or other volunteer opportunities, please contact Greg Bradbard at gbradbard@hthf.org.

With a Little Help from my Services Coordinator

Omekia Candelaria had already submitted several job applications without any luck when she saw the flyer for Pathways to Economic Empowerment, a service of the Hope through Housing Foundation that provides assistance with job readiness, credit repair and homebuying. Concerned her resume could be the reason, Omekia reached out to Jennifer Cervantes, the Services Coordinator at Arrowhead Grove in San Bernardino for help.

Jennifer encouraged Omekia to apply to as many jobs as she could, and Omekia soon received an interview request. She was excited about the opportunity. On the day of the interview, she printed her resume and selected her best outfit–a pair of pants, flats and a ruffled blouse. She was confident about her chances and knew her computer skills would be a great asset.

A few days later, Omekia received a call. She was informed that she didn’t get the position due to concerns about her attire, which they felt was unprofessional. Despite not hiring her, the organization did offer to enroll her in their job preparation program. Unfortunately, Omekia didn’t have the time to invest because she needed a job as soon as possible. She couldn’t understand why the interviewer felt she was dressed unprofessionally and began to worry if other employers would feel the same. Anxious, Omekia reached out to Jennifer again for help.

Jennifer went straight to work. She pulled up Pinterest on her computer to show Omekia examples of professional attire. Knowing Omekia did not have the money to purchase new clothes, Jennifer began visiting local department stores to share Omekia’s story and to ask for help. Touched by Omekia’s story, the local Marshall’s offered Jennifer a $50 gift card on the spot. Excited to be able to help, Jennifer purchased a notecard for Omekia so she could include words of encouragement and included the gift card. “It’s nice to know that there is someone out there who is willing to help me succeed,” said Omekia. “I really appreciate everything Jennifer has done for me and my family. I’ve learned a lot from her, and now when I go to interviews, I look the part.”

On May 29, Omekia interviewed with Kaiser Permanente for a custodial position, a position she was recently offered. It is not her dream job, but she is thankful for the opportunity and the stability it will bring her family. She intends to work hard and demonstrate her commitment to the company in the hopes that other opportunities will come her way. With new employment on the horizon, Omekia can begin working toward her next dream of purchasing a home for her family.

“I’m very proud of Omekia,” said Jennifer. “She took the initiative to get help. She is determined, and I am so glad I was here to provide her guidance so she could continue on her journey.”

Omekia is not the only family member that Jennifer has helped. She also worked with her daughter, Diana, on her resume. Diana is now working at San Manuel full time and is making plans to attend College under the Casino’s education program.

“Working with residents like Omekia and her family adds purpose to my job,” said Jennifer. “There are so many road blocks that keep our families in poverty. I am so proud to be able to provide a helping hand when needed so they can continue to build a better future for themselves.

Dr. Seuss Makes Reading Time Fun!

Hope through Housing Foundation partnered with the Inland Empire United Way to offer ieReads, a summer storytime/reading series to families living in the affordable housing communities of Mountainside and Sunset Heights in Rancho Cucamonga.

ieReads promotes early childhood literacy through story time events and other reading activities. “We want to foster a love of reading in our children. We know how important literacy is to future academic success,” stated Greg Bradbard, President of the Hope through Housing Foundation.

Every Thursday between May 31 and June 21, volunteers read Dr. Seuss books followed by art activities for the children that coincided with the stories they had just heard. Children were separated into groups according to their ages to explore books such as The Lorax; Oh, the Places You’ll Go; and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

“Programs like these are really important for our kids,” said Noemi Harnen-Corona, Services Coordinator. “During summer vacation, all children are at risk of losing some of the learning obtained during the school year, but children from low-income families are especially susceptible because many of them lack access to books, learning resources and enrichment opportunities such as trips to the library.”

Diabetes Workshop Provides a Sweet Experience for Seniors

Senior residents at Little Lake Village in Santa Fe Springs recently participated in a Diabetes Self-Management Workshop presented by Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG). The workshop consisted of six two-hour classes that covered topics, such as blood sugar levels, exercise, cooking, calculating food labels, understanding food groups and conducting full-body checkups.

Sharon Brown, who was first diagnosed as a diabetic 18 years ago, and her husband, Harold, who is prediabetic, participated in the workshop. “I’ve learned that you constantly need to educate yourself about diabetes because things are always changing,” said Sharon. “The terminology, the way you read labels and what is considered safe for the blood sugar levels are all different now than when I was first diagnosed.” Sharon and her husband work together to make sure they both stay on top of their health. They believe that if everyone shares their experiences, they can help each other.

Denise Clayton, who also attended the workshop, isn’t diabetic and the disease doesn’t run in her family. However, she wanted to educate herself so that she can prevent it and learn what questions to ask her doctor. Denise found the class to be extremely informative and has already begun incorporating what she learned. “I started working on my food intake more,” said Denise. “I was always one of those people who operated on one meal a day, but I now understand that it’s better to eat six meals. I’m eating a piece of toast and a banana for breakfast, adding the right food groups to meal planning and challenging myself to drink water. I’d also like to lose about 10-15 lbs.”

Workshops like the one by HSAG are very important to our senior residents. “At Hope through Housing we want to help our senior residents maintain their health and independence as they get older. Helping them take control of their health is an important step in that direction,” said Rebecca Darden, Services Coordinator. For more information on the services we offer our seniors, visit https://hthf.org/what-we-do/.

Save the Date!

Join National CORE for An Evening of Hope, A Million Dreams on October 4, 2018.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available!  For more information, please go to www.nationalcoregala.org.