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Little Victories that Mean the World

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Marissa came home to Los Angeles with her two sons only to find that her home had been taken over by an uncle with a penchant for rage. After losing her husband to prison, Marissa brought her two sons home to a house filled with violence. She called her brother for help, but once he arrived at the home his life was placed jeopardy as well.

When she had no one else to turn to, she found our Passageways Intake Center. By the time Marissa arrived at Passageways, she was several months pregnant and struggling to keep her family together. The rage and loss this family had suffered especially took its toll on Marissa’s youngest child, who acted out violently. This brought Marissa to tears.

Passageways referred Marissa’s family to a hospital. Given the violence that the children had witnessed, hospital staff then referred them to Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS provided a gift that would change this family’s life.

Marissa called weeks later to let us know that she was happily in a Maternity Home with her boys, and that her youngest was receiving special assistance from morning until evening. Marissa’s life and that of her sons were made better by the coordination of local agencies. We do not always hear about the little victories that occur, or the smiles that we provide, but when we do, that can mean the world.

Learn more about our Passageways Intake Center.

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I Made it a Habit to Keep Calling Back

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

The story below is one of perseverance as told by a Union Station client.

After I came to Union Station’s Adult Center, I learned about the Sources Career Development Program at Union Station. It had been a long time since I had done a resume, and I knew that my skills needed some work. I was really willing to learn, and I wanted to get all I could out of it. After hearing about Sources from other people, I was eager to give it a try.

The Sources classes were informative. I found it really encouraging to think about goals and setting up a plan with steps to get my dream job. I wanted to be a certified nurse assistant. I had worked with disabled adults before, and it was important for me to have a job where I helped people. I was afraid that my past addiction would close doors, but now it looked like maybe I could get back into that field, eventually.

After I graduated from Sources, I started to look for work. I made it a habit to keep calling back and to go more than once to see a manager. I learned how to send my resume by email, and I applied for about a dozen jobs. I got hired through two temporary staffing agencies, but I wanted to find something with permanent and regular hours. So I kept looking. I explored different fields, but there were some issues from my past which blocked some of my options.

I had heard that the Salvation Army was hiring, so I put an application in. I went to their alumni dinners, chapel dinners and Sunday morning chapel services. I kept a record of my calls, like I had learned in Sources, and finally, a position opened. I was hired as a sales associate in a store in Pasadena. They said that I showed them that I really wanted the job.

I like my new job because I like working with the public. It is busy and I get to be of service to others in the program, showing them that we can all get jobs if we work hard at it. I am happy to recommend the Sources program to others. I now know that I can keep moving forward with my plan to get back into the medical field. Someday I will be a certified nurse assistant.

Learn more about our Sources Career Development Program.

View our NEW promotional video on YouTube!

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Friendship Baptist Church’s Young Fundraisers

Monday, August 24th, 2009

This summer, the children of Friendship Baptist Church’s Vacation Bible School dedicated a week in July to helping homeless men, women and children in Pasadena. These young fundraisers set a lofty goal of collecting $1,000 in one week by holding a coin drive to benefit Union Station Homeless Services. The children, ages 5 through 12, decided to designate the money to provide meals for homeless parents and children living at Union Station’s Family Center.

The group, which included four young residents of Union Station’s Family Center, spent a week collecting coins from family members and friends. When all the funds were counted, the total was more than $1,600! This amount will provide more than 900 meals for homeless parents and children.

We thank these young philanthropists for their hard work, generosity, and dedication to improving their community.

Union Station Homeless Services’ Family Center is a safe, nurturing place for homeless parents and children to rebuild their lives and achieve self-sufficiency. The Family Center provides the following services:

  • -Safe shelter
  • -Nutritious meals
  • -Case management and referrals
  • -Medical and mental health services
  • -Substance abuse recovery support
  • -Employment search assistance through Sources Career Development Program
  • -Benefits advocacy
  • -Adult classes in parenting, nutrition, money management, and life skills
  • -Housing resources

Learn more about Union Station’s Family Center.

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Success Story: Jason

Monday, August 17th, 2009

Jason* had lost everything by the time he made it to Union Station’s Passageways Intake Center. Initially, he lost his job due to the faltering economy, but a destructive lifestyle lead him to lose his family and his home as well. Jason found himself alone, homeless and in the grip of an alcohol addiction.

On the advice of a friend, Jason entered the doors of Passageways’ brick building on Arroyo Parkway with the hope of finding help. Jason listened to his options, as outlined by his case manager, and agreed to enter rehab. Upon his completion of rehab, Jason was referred to our Adult Center where he took the next step in rebuilding his life.

Today, Jason is employed, and most importantly, has begun to repair his relationship with his family. Jason now speaks out about his experiences in the hope of inspiring others. Jason’s story is similar to so many clients who come to Union Station. With the help of holistic programs such as the ones offered by Union Station Homeless Services, more people like Jason will have the opportunity for a second chance at life.

Operated as a partnership between Union Station Homeless Services and Pacific Clinics, Passageways Intake Center is the first stop for homeless people in need of assistance in Pasadena. Passageways serves as the entry-point to Pasadena’s homeless services network and provides the following services:

  • -Outreach to community members who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless
  • -Intake and needs assessment
  • -Medical and mental health services
  • -Benefits advocacy
  • -Shelter and housing resources
  • -Case management and referrals

For more information about Passageways visit the Union Station Homeless Services website or call 626.403.4888.

*Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.

Join us for our Adult Center Showcase on September 10, 2009.

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Annual Alumni Picnic

Monday, August 10th, 2009

On Saturday, August 8th, Union Station Homeless Services’  alumni gathered for their annual picnic at Altadena’s Farnsworth Park.

The event was a fun-filled day of music, games, raffles, mouth-watering barbecue and warm fellowship. And while the attendees looked like any other group coming together for a day of fun, the annual Alumni Picnic is much more than that. It has become a sort of family reunion for people who have shared the journey of bravely rebuilding their lives. Union Station alumni embrace this gathering each year as a special time to reconnect and celebrate their accomplishments.

As they shared their stories during the 12-Step meeting that is the traditional start of the picnic, alumni explained how their lives had changed as the result of the support they received at Union Station. John* recounted his six-year journey from being homeless, addicted, and hopeless to becoming a family man with a good job who is able to give back to his community and to Union Station. He and his wife now help plan Union Station’s annual Alumni Picnic.

Our alumni are people whose appreciation of life comes from nearly having lost everything. Now they make it their mission to live life to the fullest and to help others do the same.

*Names have been changed to protect client confidentiality.

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Success Story: Robert

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

When Robert came to Union Station’s Sources Career Development Program in September 2008, his dream was to become a substance abuse counselor. After completing our two-week Sources workshop, his plan was to find a “survival” job to support himself while he attended school and worked an unpaid internship to make his goal a reality.

With downturn in the economy and the challenging job market, Robert found his search for a “survival” job more difficult than he had envisioned. Under the advice of the Sources staff, Robert gave up his search for a “survival” job and took an additional unpaid internship so that he could focus on his desired career. He hoped that between the two internships he would be offered a paid position.

Robert’s hard work and dedication paid off, and he was offered a paid part- time position with a local substance abuse treatment program. He plans to continue with his unpaid internship as well, so he can complete the required intern hours for his accreditation as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor.

After he receives his accreditation, Robert’s next step is to seek permanent full-time employment. With his follow-through and great work ethic – and our Sources staff supporting him – he will be a wonderful asset to any company.

Learn more about our Sources Career Development Program.

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We Appreciate Our Volunteers

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Each year Union Station Homeless Services’ volunteers donate their time, providing everything from food service to office support to professional services. Their support is equivalent to 15 full-time staff members.

On Saturday, July 18, Union Station celebrated the dedicated volunteers who make our work possible. Our Volunteer Appreciation Picnic included an afternoon of festivities, food and fun at Farnsworth Park in Altadena.

CEO Marvin Gross, COO Cynthia Foster, Volunteer Coordinator Marisa Albanese and members of the Volunteer Committee expressed their deep gratitude to our volunteers, thanking them for their tireless work and devotion to Union Station’s clients. Volunteers also heard from a Union Station resident, who explained how their support helped him rebuild his life.

Special honors were given to the volunteer who has worked with us the longest (Laurence Eggers), the individual who travels the farthest to volunteer (Alison Reynolds), and the volunteer who works the greatest number of shifts each week (Zahid Khan).

Volunteers were treated to a fabulous BBQ feast provided by Union Station’s Food Service Manager, Charles Bedell, and his staff. At the end of the day, volunteers left feeling full, appreciated and happy.

Thanks to all those who attended the picnic. We love our volunteers!

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Success Story: Emma

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

When Emma and her three children arrived at Union Station’s Passageways Intake Center, she had recently lost her job and her apartment. She was hopeless and depressed because her family was forced to live in their van.

 

Our Passageways staff placed Emma and her family at our Family Center. Emma was speechless upon arriving. She couldn’t believe that she and her children could finally have a safe and secure place to live while they got back on their feet. They were model residents during their time at the Family Center: Emma consistently banked 70% of her income, regularly attended life skills and parenting groups, and worked with our Sources Career Development Program to secure a great job. With a little hard work and support, she was able to move her family into an apartment.

 

Since moving out of the Family Center, Emma has gotten married, purchased a townhouse, and has been attending school. She checked in with us recently to thank us for being so supportive and helping her look towards a brighter future.

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Welcome

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Welcome to the Union Station Homeless Services Blog. This is your source for statistics on homelessness, information about upcoming events, and inspiring stories about the men, women and children who have come to us to rebuild their lives.

 

Founded in 1973, Union Station Homeless Services is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless individuals and families.

 

For more information about Union Station, visit our website at www.unionstationhs.org.

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