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.

Please share this October 2011 newsletter with your family, friends and business associates!

Peoples' Self-Help Housing E-Newsletter

Fun Run Helps Kids in Paso Robles New Study: The Health and Development of Children Depend on Housing Stability Case Worker Lends a Helping Hand Schwab Chairs 'Stuff the Bus' Event Upcoming Seminars Upcoming Special Events Staff Additions Self-Help Home Update

Welcome Autumn! Halloween is Coming!

Fun Run Helps Kids in Paso Robles

Heritage Oaks Bank brought the Central Coast a fun-filled, family-oriented event last month, the 13th Annual Paso Robles Family Fun and Run. Mitch Massey, Senior Vice President/Marketing Heritage Oaks Bank Race Director said that a record 3,400 runners and walkers participated this year.

PSHH staffers Annette Montoya, John Fowler, and Liz Lopez Byrnes

Peoples' youth education enhancement program was one of the recipients of the race proceeds. YEEP Educator Kim Gaspar and 20 students participated as well PSHH senior staff members. Fiscal analyst Jackie Sobotka's new baby was a top sprinter in the Diaper Dash!  

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New Study:  The Health and Development of Children
Depend on Housing Stability

When there is housing instability, the most vulnerable in our society suffer. A recent study has again confirmed what we've always known: unstable housing has a significant, negative impact on the health and development of young children. When children are moved multiple times a year or live in households where there is overcrowding, they have a greater risk for poor health than those living in secure households. When poverty is involved, the risks are even greater, according to Leila Edmonds, Director, National Initiatives and Applied Research, NeighborWorks America.

These problems are compounded when families are poor and there's not always food on the table. The U.S. Census Bureau just reported that in 2010, 25% of children under the age of six lived in poverty in the U.S. When housing insecurity is combined with food insecurity, the risk for poor health, developmental delays and hospitalization are even greater.

Consistent housing also produces higher reading and math scores and lower rates of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. Programs like Peoples' Youth Education Enhancement Program also help children's school performance.

This is why the work of Peoples' Self-Help Housing and 235 other NeighborWorks affiliates is so very important: the health and development of our children depend on it. In 2007 NeighborWorks America released a report on the benefits of homeownership. It found that children of homeowners are 25% more likely to graduate high school, 116% more likely to attend college and teenage pregnancy is 20% less likely. Providing affordable housing is the first step towards fighting the rise in poverty and homelessness in children.

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Case Worker Lends a Helping Hand

"Jane" has had a very difficult and complicated life. As the mother of four children and having escaped from a physically abusive husband, she never thought she would be able to take care of her children on her own. Fortunately she was able to participate in a local domestic violence center program where she excelled. After graduating from the program, Jane applied for an affordable apartment at Peoples'. The property manager referred her to the Supportive Housing Program (SHP) social worker who provided her case management services and helped her to transition to a new life. Our case worker helped Jane remain stable in her housing and provided some financial assistance from the Resident Assistance Fund when she was sick and unable to work for a couple of weeks.

Jane is back at work as a salesperson for a large chain store and is an exemplary parent and tenant. She cannot believe how much her life has changed in such a positive way. Jane is very thankful for the help she has received at Peoples' Self-Help Housing.  

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Schwab Chairs 'Stuff the Bus' Event

Kate Schwab is this year's chairman of the 6th Annual Stuff the Bus holiday gift campaign for needy children living at Peoples' affordable housing properties in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Well-known in the community, Schwab is Assistant Manager of Marketing & Customer Service at Metropolitan Transit District and was the manager at the downtown Borders for 13 years.

"Peoples' Self-Help Housing's Stuff the Bus campaign collects and distributes holiday gifts for low-income kids. This is always a challenge, but together we can make a difference. For many of these children, these are the only gifts that they receive at this time of year," stated event chair Kate Schwab.

Santa Claus makes his 6th annual "Stuff the Bus" parade ride down State Street in Santa Barbara on December 14 at 10 a.m. to collect hundreds of unwrapped gifts for 400 children. Santa travels in a decorated MTD bus, escorted by the Santa Barbara Police Department, and makes stops to pick up toys and gift cards at collection locations, such as Community West Bank, Starbuck's, Paseo Nuevo Mall, and Hotel Santa Barbara.

If you would like to donate or sponsor a collection box contact Monica Scholl at Peoples' Self-Help Housing at (805) 962-5152 x220 or email monicas@pshhc.org.

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Upcoming Workshops

First Time Home Buyer Workshop
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
6:00 p.m.
River View Townhomes
230 Calle Cesar Chavez
Guadalupe

Foreclosure Prevention Workshop
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
6:00 p.m.
Los Adobes de Maria II
1148 Boone St.
Santa Maria
  

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Upcoming Special Events

Thurs., October 6 - 6 p.m.
Scholarship & College Prep
Workshop for Parents
by SB Scholarship Found.
Ladera Apts.
322 Ladera St., Santa Barbara

Lights On After School Celebrations
Thurs. Oct 20-5 p.m.
All PSHH YEEP Centers

GRID Alternatives Party & Fundraiser
Sat. Oct. 16 6-9 p.m
15 Degrees C
1121 Rossi Road #A
Templeton

Fri., October 21 - 5-7 p.m.
Stuff the Bus Kick-Off
California Pizza Kitchen
Paseo Nuevo Mall
Santa Barbara

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Staff Additions

Anita Baumgardner
Youth Educator-Lompoc

Toby Bellocchi
Self Help Construction Supervisor

Jessica Blazer
Youth Educator-Carpinteria

Judy Cooper
Youth Educator-Santa Barbara

Tania Tranquilino
Keyholder-Morro Bay

 

John W. Kukulka

John W. Kukulka has joined Peoples' Self-Help Housing as Rental Development Department Manager. In this position Mr. Kukulka will oversee the develop- ment of Peoples' affordable rental property construction in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.

Previously he was Development Advisor for CG Development Company, a real estate development firm in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He also worked as Director of Housing Development for New Neighborhoods Inc., a nonprofit affordable housing developer in Stamford, Connecticut. His nonprofit experience also includes serving as Chairman, Real Estate and Construction at Housatonic Habitat for Humanity in Danbury, CT.

Kukulka graduated cum laude from Central Connecticut State College and earned a Master's degree in economics from The Catholic University of America. He enjoys bicycling, playing and coaching soccer and is an Eagle Scout.

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Self-Help Home Update

Angela McCormick and Nora Gutierrez take time for a quick hug while working to build their homes in Templeton. The group of 10 families hopes to be in their new self-help homes before the holidays.

In addition, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students participated in the Week of Welcome (WOW) by volunteering at Terebinth Homes in Templeton last month.

PSHHC is accepting pre-applications to build self-help homes Atascadero and Nipomo. The pre-application packages are available here on our website or at our SLO office, 3533 Empleo Street.

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