Thank you for the very generous outpouring of support and donations following my announcements last week about the United to End Homelessness (U2EH) “30 in 30” campaign. I will share a final tally next week. Below are some stories that the Santa Ana Housing Authority (SAHA) sent for me to share with you, about households that have moved from a transitional shelter (The Link) to Permanent Supportive Housing. The persons in these households have given their consent for making these stories public.
Laura, Dathon, and their son Patrick arrived on the night of January 3rd2019. Upon arriving to The Link the family had reservations regarding the type of housing options they could qualify for seeing how Laura’s son was a teenager. Nonetheless, the family kept a positive attitude and made it a priority to meet with their Navigator weekly. Several weeks into their stay at The Link, the family was deemed eligible for the Mainstream Voucher Program through Santa Ana Housing Authority in partnership with Illumination Foundation. The family would need to collect required documentation before their first meeting with SAHA. Through a collaborative effort, Mercy House was able to assist the family to obtain California identification, birth certificates, and link them to a medical provider that assisted them with the disability documentation getting them document ready for their interview with SAHA. In addition, Mercy House was able to link Dalton to employment resources and Dalton was able to secure a part-time job while his stay at The Link. The family received their voucher on March 1stand on May 16, 2019 the family successfully moved into their two-bedroom apartment in Irvine. The family is eternally grateful all these wonderful agencies were able to help them find their new home.
Alicia and her son Alexander were referred to The Link on January 30th2019 by County of Orange Health Care Agency Outreach workers. Alicia had been homeless since 2015 and was familiar to Mercy House through the Armory Program. Alicia was matched to housing through the MVP program on February 8thand with the help of her housing navigator, she was able to gather all the necessary documents to receive her voucher from Santa Ana Housing Authority. Alicia was diligent at working her housing plan and soon found a unit that would accept her voucher. With the help of the City of Santa Ana’s Homeless and Housing Division, Illumination Foundation, and Mercy House, Alicia was able to furnish her apartment and moved out of The Link into housing on May 31st.
Anna entered the Link last December when she was found homeless on the streets by Santa Ana Police Department HEART Officer. She was accompanied by her 7-year-old child and husband who is on Dialysis and suffering from several medical ailments. A Mercy House Case Manager immediately met with Anna upon arrival at the shelter and began linking her to supportive services such as employment programs and housing search. At the Link, Anna began attending Employment Skills classes by Second Chance OC, a recipient of Santa Ana CDBG grant. Second Change OC provided Anna with one on one mentoring, resume building, interview skills and job placement through community connections. Below is a picture of Anna with her Case Manager at North Italia where she just landed a job in the restaurant business! Anna and her family were able to move into an apartment with through the MVP vouchers from Santa Ana Housing Authority. Anna has been a model citizen at the Link!
I marvel at the tenacity of these persons, the capabilities of their supporting organizations, and the generosity of people like you, who make these lovely moments possible.
Mark of St. Mark
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