Peoples' Self-Help Housing

The Mission of Peoples' Self-Help Housing is to provide affordable housing and programs leading to self-sufficiency for low-income families, seniors, and other special needs groups on California's Central Coast.

Peoples' Self-Help Housing

For Immediate Release

Press Contact:
Chris Davis
805-687-3322

Local Kids Get in Touch with the Environment

Partnership between Peoples' Self-Help Housing and California Coastal Commission Brings Environmental Education to Local Children

Santa Barbara, CA, July 16, 2002—Through an annual "Whale Tail" grant from the California Coastal Commission, Peoples' Self-Help Housing kids are learning about local environmental water issues.

The program is for kids between 7-13 living in specific Peoples' Self-Help Housing facilities from five multi-family, low income permanent rental sites in Santa Barbara County including: Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, and Carpinteria. The program focuses on age appropriate education and recreational activities to enhance their awareness of the coastal environment. The program will reach and educate between 250-300 children.

Santa Barbara "Whales Tails" activities take place through Santa Barbara Environmental Councils' South Coast Watershed Resource Center located at Arroyo Burro Beach. Activities provided include educational information on the area's natural watershed flow, effect and sources of pollution, testing water samples, and introspective hikes along the Arroyo Burro creed and beach. Additional field trips include Hollister Ranch tide pools, Storke Natural Wetland, and Santa Barbara's North Bluff areas.

The program will also involve North County Peoples' Self-Help Housing kids will take place through the Morro Bay Estuary Center located in Morro Bay. The program will include visits to Tidelands Park, Elfin Forest, Sweet Springs, Los Osos Oaks, Morro Dunes and MEGA Morro Estuary Natural Preserves.

Peoples' Self-Help Housing is an award winning non-profit organization with over 30 years of experience developing affordable housing and community facilities for low-income and special needs households. PSHH also provides technical assistance in the design and implementation of community development programs for numerous cities, counties, and community groups.

--Media/Photo Opportunity--

On Wednesday, July 17, twenty local children will participate in the program at the Watershed Resource Center, Arroyo Burro Beach (Hendry's Beach at the end of Las Positas) at 3 pm.