Headlines in Transformation
SRO Housing Corporation Hosted Several Groups of 1st Year MSW Students From UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
The students visited a number of properties to learn about the continuum of housing options, from emergency to permanent supportive housing, offered by the SRO Housing Corporation. UCLA Luskin has collaborated with SRO Housing Corporation for the past 24 years to train future social workers on the issues of homelessness and poverty. This year’s education module was facilitated by Monica Guthrie-Davis, Director of Supportive Services and Programs, and Tamra M. Edwards-Pink, Marketing and Communications Manager.
SRO Housing Corporation and Breast Cancer Awareness Month
SRO Housing Corporation staff participated in Breast Cancer Awareness Month to increase attention, support for the awareness, early detection, and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease.
Town Hall Meeting/Listening Session
Featured the Director of Department of Mental Health, Dr. Jonathan Sherin, Held on November 1, 2018
DMH leadership publicly announced its current strategies and listened to the community about what's working and, more importantly, what's not working as it specifically relates to mental health in Los Angeles County.
Held at the James Wood Community Center, 400 E. 5th Street (SE Corner of 5th & San Julian Streets) Skid Row, CA 90013
Homeless Veterans
The Home Depot Foundation Partners With SRO Housing Corporation to Renew Facility for Los Angeles—Area
On Friday, April 27, 2018, The Home Depot Foundation partnered with SRO Housing Corporation to complete renovations at Marshall House in Skid Row, a 72-bed transitional facility that provides safe housing for homeless veterans. Built in 1925, Marshall House is the only housing center in Downtown Los Angeles exclusively catering to homeless veterans.
Since its inception, SRO Housing has transitioned hundreds of residents into permanent housing, but the Marshall House is in need of extensive renovations. With the help of a Home Deport Foundation grant, 45 members of Team Depot, and The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, the Marshall House has been renewed with fresh paint to ensure aesthetically pleasing conditions for its deserving residents.
The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans. Army veteran and former SRO Housing resident Gordon Cope is one of many who are grateful for the SRO Housing and Home Depot support. Following a 10-year prison stint, Cope transitioned back into society, which led him to SRO Housing Services. A couple of years ago, the veteran with 25 years of carpentry experience participated in an SRO Home Depot Day of Service. With encouragement from SRO Housing, Cope continued to apply for jobs, and he now works as a sales associate at Home Depot.
(Gordon Cope, Army Veteran, seen in image below)
SRO Staff and Volunteers in Action
“Building Your Future” Career Fair Hosted by the Los Angeles Rescue Mission
To aid our recruiting efforts, SRO Housing participates in Job Fairs throughout the city. This allows us access to a diverse population of candidates seeking employment.
USC – Multi-University Alumni Fair – The Programs Managers and HR attended the fair on Friday, March 9th 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. We were invited to their VIP Veterans Breakfast that morning before the Fair.
On Tuesday, April 10th, we participated in the Homeless Job Fair in the San Julian Street Park. Sixty-five individuals came to our table to discuss employment opportunities. We have scheduled in-person interviews with several of them. While at the Fair, we were able to share the process to attain housing with SRO Housing with several homeless individuals.
Cal State 2018 Social Work Job Fair – We annually attend this Fair to recruit Case Managers for our Social Services teams. Program Managers Virginia Reed and Federico Lopez represented SRO Housing at this Fair on Friday, April 13th, at the Carson Community Center.
The Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and the County of Los Angeles Homeless Initiative extended a special invitation to our organization to participate as an employer in the Homeless Service Professionals Job Fair of Los Angeles. The Fair was Friday, April 13, 2018, at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College. We interviewed over 40 job candidates and invited 19 back to SRO Housing for second interviews.
Job and Resource Fair:
Through the Employment Development Department (EDD), the Department of Veterans Affairs invited us to participate in their Job and Resource Fair on Wednesday, May 16th at the Compton Community College. While this Fair was open to all Veterans, it is specifically focusing on those returning from active duty.
The United Way “Everyone In” Rally
SRO Housing Corporation Supportive Staff Full Turn Out for The United Way “EVERYONE IN” Rally/Press Conference was held on May 15th prior to the Board of Supervisors vote on the Measure H Spending Plan for the 18-19 budget.
Community Listening Session
Held on May 18, 2018, at SRO's James Wood Community Center
According to the 2017 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, 40% of people experiencing homelessness in LA County are Black, although Black people make up only 9% of the county's total population. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Ad Hoc Committee on Black People Experiencing Homelessness will examine the barriers Black people may face when trying to exit homelessness by accessing services and affordable housing. The community got together to participate in this work by attending the community listening session and sharing their ideas and perspectives.
