Autumn Edition

September 2013

Our House
SRO Housing Corporation is dedicated to building a vibrant community for homeless and low-income individuals. We pursue our mission of community revitalization by providing clean, safe and affordable housing; managing public spaces; and administering needed supportive services.

Gateways Opens Door s...

SRO Housing Corporation is preparing to open the doors of the Gateways Apartments, our newest construction.
The building occupies a formerly vacant 22,000 square-foot lot at the intersection of 5th and San Pedro Streets in downtown Los Angeles in the heart of Skid Row and will provide 108 brand new studio apartments for homeless and very low-income individuals, many of whom have special needs. Many dignitaries, community stakeholders, and local media are slated to attend. With this newest residential complex, SRO Housing Corporation has developed 29 housing projects in downtown Los Angeles, all of which are located in Skid Row. The Gateways Apartments is a LEED Certified building designed by Dvoretzky, Bardovi, Bunnell Architects. The furnished apartment homes feature full-size bathrooms and kitchens equipped with Energy Star appliances; on-site resident manager, case management services, laundry, secure subterranean parking, bicycle parking, community room, multipurpose room with computer stations, a game room and rooftop decks. We are proud of the profound and lasting difference this building will have. The Gateways Apartments... the gateway to a new beginning!

A B O U T S RO H O U S I N G C O R P O R AT I O N
IN THIS ISSUE:
GATEWAYS APARTMENTS OPENS THEIR DOORS 108 BRAND NEW UNITS OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
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SRO Housing Corporations vision of a thriving urban community of hope and opportunity extends to all aspects of our work. We are committed to restoring a sense of dignity, civility, and respect to a population that has been habitually ignored and forgotten. We provide the full continuum of housing (Emergency, Transitional, and Permanent Supportive) with a wide array of supportive services including food services, case management, money management, transportation, employment services, socialization/recreational activities, community events, art workshops, information and referrals, and more. SRO Housing Corporation was founded in 1984 as a non-profit organization dedicated to building a vibrant community for homeless and very low-income individuals in the Central City East (Skid Row) area of downtown Los Angeles. Everything we do is focused upon creating solutions to the areas dire housing conditions. The Skid Row area is home to one of the largest populations of transient (homeless) persons in the entire United States in a 50-block area bordered by 3rd and 7th Streets, and Main and Alameda Streets, in downtown Los Angeles. It is one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the Western United States. Skid Row residents, whether homeless or housed, are often poor, elderly, disabled, mentally ill, addicted to drugs/alcohol, chronically ill, and/or unemployed.

SPOTLIGHT ON STAFF: PROUD LEADERSHIP MORE THAN A SURVIVOR

REMARKABLE RESIDENTS
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SAVE THE DATE

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STAFF

MILESTONE S

SPOTLIGHT
PROUD OF OUR LEADERSHIP
SRO Housing Corporations Director of Social Services, Ervin R. Munro, M.S., was honored as one of four cofounders and the original Acting Executive Director of AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), at their 30th anniversary in Hollywood in June. His long history of sensitive service to communities in crisis embraces every program and every staff member he oversees. Ervin traded in the snows of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for sunny Southern California when he came here to help staff the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and has been running the show for local non-profit organizations ever since. At SRO Housing Corporation, Ervin supervises 60 staff and conducts trainings and tours. We are proud to have him on our team!

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MORE THAN A SURVIVOR

Virginia Reed, M.S.W., is the Program Manager for SRO Housing Corporations Permanent Supportive Housing Programs.
Her hard-won wisdom and personal insight serve the community where she lives and works. It has not been easy.

Virginia has conquered decades of debilitating panic disorder, bouts of severe depression, two abusive and life-threatening marriages, addiction to alcohol and drugs, and the shame and loneliness of living on the streets. She worked to conquer additional challenges to receive a series of degrees with highest academic honors, was the Valedictorian of her class and received numerous awards. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, then went on to earn her Masters Degree in Social Work, also Summa Cum Laude. She did all of this as a resident at SRO Housing Corporation in the heart of Skid Row. Instead of escaping from Skid Row with her education and her accolades, Ginger put her life experience to work and decided to stay. I put down roots here, says Virginia.

When I thought of myself as a survivor, it also meant I was a victim of drugs, alcohol, domestic violence, homelessness, cancer. But I am no longer a victim, and I am no longer ashamed. I am not a survivor... I am a conqueror.

My goal was always to come back here with the specialized skills needed for the people we serve and deserve.
read this and other success stories online at srohousing.org

REMARKABLE

RESIDENT S

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RESIDENTS & EMPLOYERS WIN WITH AVENUES TO WORK

Unemployed and homeless, Melvin Crutchfield, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, enrolled in SRO Housing Corporations Avenues to Work Program in August 2012 and entered our Emergency Housing Program at the Panama Hotel to receive the support he needed to better his situation. Although his life spiraled into homelessness, he was not willing to give up. He found employment at Wal-Mart in December of 2012 and continues to work full-time there. Mr. Crutchfield has been generous in his praise of the program that helped him find a job and housing, including the Mens Advancement Project (MAP) at St. Vincent de Pauls Cardinal Manning Center where he now lives. He continues to stop by the Avenues to Work Program to share a smile and to encourage others who are in the program. The Avenues to Work Program is an educational, economic development and employment program that prepares homeless individuals to re-enter the workforce. The 90-Day Program includes Pre-employment Training Courses with academic skills training, meals, one-on-one mentoring, job training workshops, in-class instruction and practical work experience with an emphasis on employment skills. Employers benefit from trained, motivated employees and receive valuable tax benefits. Contact Avenues to Work Program to learn more about the benefits of our program. (2 1 3 ) 5 7 2 - 0 4 3 2

Hard work and determination pay off with employment skills and opportunities for Avenues to Work participants. Employers benefit from trained, motivated employees and receive valuable tax benefits.

SRO HOUSING RESIDENT ON HIV COMMISSION

Jos Muoz attended the inaugural meeting of the newly authorized Commission on HIV and the Prevention Planning Committee (PPC) in July as a consumer representing Los Angeles County Supervisorial District 1.. County Commission on HIV, Latinos/as with HIV/AIDS now outnumber every other population locally. Muoz application to serve on the Commission was encouraged by SRO Housing staff who recognized his initiative and assisted him with the completion of the application. In fact, it was Muoz singular focus on making our neighbors lives better, and a foray into filmmaking that brought him to the attention of the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV. His vision to make a series of short films on HIV for the Latino community began with a Bienestar Cine Club and led to his work on Relacines Saluables (Healthy Relationships), a series of short films in Spanish with English subtitles. After completing two of six planned short films, he approached the Commission for funding. I had no experience, no budget, I learned to work with actors, to edit, and to create. His creative drive has kept him busy. At SRO Housing Corporation, Muoz teaches Spanish language and Tai Chi classes at the Rivers Apartments. For people with compromised immune systems, those with HIV, Hep C, or diabetes, Tai Chi can be an important part of wellness, says Muoz, a resident of the Rivers Apartments, that was developed and is managed by SRO Housing Corporation. Muoz is also an active participant in our Mosaic and Art Workshops. I am always working to make lives better!

Jos Muoz singular focus on making our neighbors lives better, brought him to the attention of the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV.

It is a small step, says Muoz, I am so grateful. The Commission seeks to fully integrate HIV and STD prevention, care, and treatment planning. According to the Los Angeles

S TA F F R E and COG NITIONS Awards Honors

EMPLOYEES OF THE QUARTER
SRO Housing Corporation presented Employeeof-the-Quarter Awards at its Annual All Staff Picnic in August. Selected individuals were recognized by their colleagues for teamwork, attitude, and commitment to excellence in the quality of their work. The award promotes and recognizes exemplary employees for demonstration of outstanding service beyond their job expectations. The Executive Management Team selects the Employee-of-the-Quarter winners. Each winner receives a beautiful plaque and a $100 American Express Gift Cheque. Erica F i t t s is always pleasant and friendly.

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Crysandra Moody Always willing to help.

Bernard Johnson
Always goes the extra mile.

Bernard, who serves as the Janitor at the Southern and the Brownstone is known to always give 100%.He gets to know the residents and is always willing to share his knowledge of electronic devices, taking time to explain and help with TV reception or internet access while keeping buildings clean and organized.

Erica i s a Ca s e M a n a g e r i n o u r Permanent Supportive Housing Programs and excels at ensuring our residents get the services they need. She is creative and able to find inventive methods to work with residents and staff to ensure the best possible outcomes for all involved. She has proven herself as an effective trainer and leader. Despite her busy schedule, she is Erica was even the foundation for a always willing to help and is recognized complete turnaround in one very challenging for her positive attitude. resident who in the past, frequently filed This was particularly helpful as we complaints but has now made it a point to moved to our new offices, when she register compliments about Ericas perform- helped with the packing and unpacking ance as a Case Manager. for the move. Residents report ,for the first time ever, they feel they are getting the services they need, Crysandra often says, Ill help. thanks to Erica.

Crysandra plays an important role at S R O Housing Corporation. She is responsible for processing payroll for nearly 200 staff.

Q U A R T E R LY S A F E T Y A W A R D S
SRO Housing Corporation Safety Award winners were selected by the Safety Inspection Team. Awards encourage ownership and accountability and are based on facility cleanliness and maintenance, emergency preparedness, and appearance of common work areas.

2nd Place ($50) The Ford Team: Paterno Cabebe; Leroy Bogar; Charles Brooks; Clyde Augustus

2nd Place ($50) The Yankee Team: Paterno Cabebe; Deborah Martin; Tommy Reid; Charles Brooks

3rd Place ($25) The Southern Team: LaVerne Collins; Bernard Johnson; James Cienfuegos

1st Place ($100) The La Jolla Team: Asst Manager, Sandra Davis; Manager, Wesley Nelson; Janitor, Alice Broom; Facilities Technician, Eduardo Aguilar; Painter, Charles Brooks

3rd Place ($25) The Lyndon Team: Jeffrey Halbrook; Paterno Cabebe; Thryll Sims; Rafael Prewitt

SRO Smiles

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Resident Appreciation Luncheon. Each October, our staff enjoy serving our residents.

All-Staff Picnic. SRO Housing Corporation staff gathered in Elysian Park in August for a day of fun, family and food.

SAV E TH E DATE
All-Staff Meeting October 30, 2013 Annual Resident Appreciation Day** October 9, 2013 Veterans Day Luncheon** November 11, 2013 Homeless Memorial** December 20, 2013

GATEWAYS APARTMENTS Grand Opening November 7, 2013

Sponsorships with naming opportunities are available to corporations and individual contributors. To learn more about how you can support or sponsor this new project, view a complete giving catalogue online at www.srohousing.org

**Volunteer Opportunities. If your company or organization would like to Volunteer to help SRO Housing Corporation celebrate any of these annual activities, contact us at (213) 229-9640.
Movies on the Nickel. Wendell Blassingame established our Movies on the Nickel. Free movies are screened at SRO Housing Corporations James Wood Community Center every Saturday. An additional series screens family films with a positive theme on the 2nd Sunday of the month and there is also a Sunday chess club at the Community Center. You can support activities at our James Wood Community Center www.srohousing.org/donate

MILESTONES
B I R T H DAY S
April
Trena Rucker Laverne Collins Carlos Campos Ervin Munro Leroy Bogar Duke Cooke, Jr. Jennifer Brown Cynthia Whaley Jos Carlos Blanca Correa Cindy Ly Kohnsa Moorehead Juan Magaa Lonnie Washington LaJuan Morris Jeannette Holston Leontinae Layton Rosa Ortiz-Cruz Malonya Lee Jardin Cooper Dennis Torres Leonora Moore Warnetta Richman George Loftin Phyllis Moore Javier Olmos Omar Cuevas Vega

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May
Jennifer Erwin James Wilson Edward Prez Carlos Snchez Nathan Patterson Donna Sampson

June
Walter Robinson Robert Purvis Jos Amaral Rafael Prewitt Telesha Cachimay Gary DeVera Noel Alonzo Daniel Martnez Karen Grabar Alex Lantsman Wesley Nelson Gladis Munguia Leo Jones Crysandra Moody Vctor Lpez

WELCOME AND FAREWELL

SRO Housing Corporation welcomes all staff who joined us in April, May and June 2013. We welcome these dedicated individuals to our SRO Family with a shared commitment to serving our community. To those who have left, we say good luck and farewell. And to all, we extend our best wishes to you now and in your future endeavors.

Welcome!
Kimberly Aguillon Leroy Bogar Veronica Cervantes Sandra Davis John Gillis Leo Jones Leontinae Layton Mario Livas Jos Martnez Rafael Prewitt Tracie Prudholm Robert Purvis Mattie Riggs Timothy Rios Cielo Ruiz Carlos Snchez Julia Robinson Shimizu Quincy Thompson

Farewell and Best Wishes! In Memoriam

Stefanie Ramrez, SROs Avenues to Work Case Manager, died in a traffic accident in June 2013. Her sudden loss leaves our hearts very heavy. She is survived by her father, brothers, sisters, family and friends including her SRO Housing family. Alex Domnguez Gregory Johnson Addie L. Brown Durian Dunbar Michael Randle Adriana Dorado

ANNIVERSARIES
SRO Staff
5 years Myrna Dantes Dora Pilcher 10 years Alex Lantsman 15 years Jos Amaral

Loyalty and Dedication

Everything we do at SRO Housing Corporation is made possible by the outstanding loyalty and professional dedication of our staff. This months anniversaries are typical. Average length of service of SRO Housing staff members is currently more than ten years. Together, we share the joys and challenges of serving the people of Skid Row. We are pleased to take this opportunity to gratefully acknowledge the value of each of our SRO Housing Corporation staff members.
we are. . . Opening Doors and Transforming Lives...

Together,