Local volunteers and a social service agency are working to
ensure that this will be the last Christmas that 20 homeless
families, including approximately 50 children, will be without a
place to live.
The Community Services and Workforce Development agency is
providing a winter shelter at the migrant labor camp on Southside
Road for families now through March, with a goal of helping them
transition to permanent accommodations by springtime.
”
Last year we had 150 families on the waiting list and we had 100
this year, said Enrique Arreola, deputy director of the agency.
Local volunteers and a social service agency are working to ensure that this will be the last Christmas that 20 homeless families, including approximately 50 children, will be without a place to live.
The Community Services and Workforce Development agency is providing a winter shelter at the migrant labor camp on Southside Road for families now through March, with a goal of helping them transition to permanent accommodations by springtime.
“Last year we had 150 families on the waiting list and we had 100 this year, said Enrique Arreola, deputy director of the agency.
Though there are 67 available units at the migrant center, there is only enough funding to providing shelter for the 20 families. Last year, 24 families were given a place to stay, up from 15 in 2008.
“It’s important to remember that there’s a segment in our community that’s really impacted by the economy,” Arreola said. “Everybody is, but some have lost everything and don’t have a place to live. We need to continue to search for resources and assist them in ultimately becoming self-sufficient, which requires a coordination of services.”
The families are provided housing support, rather than a straight handout, Arreola said.
“We ask for a $300 deposit, then $300 a month rent,” he said, noting that the rent money is saved in an account for each family so that by the end of the winter they will have money available for a down payment to get into a place of their own.
“These families in need of housing need support,” Arreola said. “They are either living in someone’s living room or a garage or are moving ing from one house to the next.”
The first 50 people who come to Community Services looking for help with housing are given an application packet and an orientation, as the agency’s staff determines eligibility for the winter shelter program.
Those selected for the program are required to attend one or two workshops per month, on topics ranging from finding permanent housing to financial planning and money management.
“Our case managers assist them during the program if they need job referrals or counseling,” Arreola said. “Ultimately, the goal is that once the program ends we want them to have permanent, stable housing. Last year, 90 percent of our families found that type of housing.”
Each year, the Community Services staff hosts a Christmas party for the families in the shelter. Volunteers and donors are being sought to help with this year’s event, which will be held Dec. 20 at noon at the shelter site.
Those interested in donating gifts for children ranging in age from newborn to 19 can contact Nora Jimenez or Grace Orta at 637-9293 to get a copy of the children’s wish lists. Volunteers are also needed to help with setting up for the party, serving food and clean-up. Donations of food are also welcomed.
