Through another successful collaboration between Step Up on Second and Aileen Getty, the 10-unit property, located at 1146 Tamarind Avenue, was purchased in October of 2011.
The 10 home units of 1146 Tamarind Avenue property are part of a commitment to end chronic and veteran homelessness in Hollywood. 1146 Tamarind Avenue property will be opening in November of 2011!
Continuing in the nautical theme, if Step Up on Second is the great ship navigating the sea of change, then what is the powerful wind to billow our sails and speed our progress?
At CGI we’ve seen that the wind in our sails must include robust participation from the business sector. We are seeing an exciting transformation in the structure of the old business model. What was formally “corporate philanthropy” is now becoming a partnership with nonprofits as part of a company’s business practice to drive economic growth. In other words, today what’s good for business must be good for the community, and vice versa.
And what unites these two worlds? MARKETING! Why? Because marketing drives behavior. The merger of for-profits and non-profits is the response to a consumer-driven demand for social responsibility. Good work everybody! This is going to produce a remarkably enhanced community!
We look forward to meeting with our CGI Action Network: Scaling Sustainable Buildings tomorrow to see just how this merger of the for-profit and the non-profit sectors can put the wind in Step Up on Seconds sails! We’re charting our course for the healing and sustaining of ALL members of a community!
sea change: noun
1. A striking change, often for the better.
2. Any major transformation or alteration.
We are seeing a sea change in terms of ethics related to the way we address important social causes.
We all know there is a space between theory and action. At CGI there is a definite bias for action! While there certainly is an inherent benefit in helping, it is more important to heal, sustain, and empower those in need. We celebrate the sea change that calls for a new dynamic in the way civil society approaches issues like chronic homelessness. With this sea change, homelessness is approached not as a problem, but as an opportunity. What does the community get then by investing in permanent supportive housing that ends chronic homelessness? An economically empowered community that makes for a more stable community for all!
“Tall ships sail in deep waters”…
This is how Joe Cahn, one of our beloved board members, once described the voyage of Step Up on Second — steadfast in its course, and always increasing its capacity to bring the Help, Hope, and a Home that leads to recovery for individuals, families, and communities affected by mental illness in Santa Monica, Hollywood, and beyond. And the course has brought us here, to the 7th Annual Clinton Global Initiative.
The roots of CGI are three fold:
1. Solving social problems take a partnership between government and a civil society;
2. Every single person in the world is has a role in solving some of the world’s problems;
3. The only thing that really matters is positive action toward new, specific, and measurable goals.
We are here amidst a sea of black and navy blue suits. Represented here is not only the U.S., but hundreds of countries, villages, companies, inventors, and NGO’s. As a rushing current for global change, those here are purposely and strategically taking action to effectively address health, poverty, climate change, and education urgent needs.
We are inspired by the rising tide of social justice and change, washing away apathy and ambivalence. Tomorrow morning we hear solutions, innovation, and sustainable actions from heads of state that are here in New York for the General Assembly of the United Nation.
We look forward to the week ahead as we embark into still deeper waters…
This holiday season, join Kobe Bryant and other committed Angelino’s in “A Home for the Holidays” Year End Campaign!
A Home for the Holidays Brochure
Your support helps Step Up provide permanent supportive housing for individuals who are chronically homeless and surrounds them with the supportive services and human relationships they need to thrive. Benefits of participating in “A Home for the Holidays” include:
Please contact development@stepuponsecond.org for further information or with any questions you may have about participation in “A Home for the Holidays”. Thank you.
Join us every step of the way at the Clinton Global Initiative
in New York City, September 19-22,
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On the ground coverage, hour-by-hour updates
your comments/questions,
videos and photos.
Follow us every step of the way.
Experience the remarkable CGI momentum.
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1984 Starts “Project Return Center” for individuals and families affected by mental illness in a warehouse in Santa Monica under the umbrella of The Mental Health Association
1986 Step Up on Second, Inc. incorporates on July 25th, and forms Member services, Homeless Services, and Meals Programs
1993 “Partner’s” program forms with Department of Mental Health for intensive case management services
1994 Step Up on Second opens with 36 units of permanent supportive housing
1996 Fresh Start Catering & Cafe opens, Vocational program expands
1997 Susan Dempsay retires
1998 Daniel’s Place opens
1999-2005 Step Up on Second continues to expand services to include Case management, Outreach and Advocacy, and Housing Stabilization Services
2006 Step Up on 5th Street Capital Campaign launched
2007 Step Up on Second Client run Center established
2008 Santa Monica Outreach program HOME Team established, and outreach services begin in Beverly Hills
2009 Step Up on Fifth opens with 4r units of permanent supportive housing, and Daniel’s Village opens with 7 units of permanent supportive housing for transitional age youth
2010 Step Up on Second becomes a member of the Clinton Global Initiative and commits to creating 200 permanent supportive housing units in Hollywood
2011 Step Up on Second celebrates 25 years of providing Help, Hope, and a Home that leads to recovery for individuals, families, and communities affected by mental illness!
Susan Dempsay, SUOS Founder and Jacob Ramsey, SUOS Member
Goal: The Hollywood Campaign is developing the financial resources needed to acquire, develop, and operate 200 LEED-certified permanent supportive home units using multiple green technologies by 2014.
Two projects (66 home units) are currently underway in Hollywod, CA.
 Step Up on Vine |
| Step Up on vine is a 34 unit project located on vine Street in Hollyood. The permanent supportive housing project and drop in center will open December 2012. Step Up on vine is a LEED-certified building. |
 Michael's Village |
| Michael’s Village is a 32 unit project located on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. The building requires only minor rehabilitation and work is underway. The first tenants are expected to move in September 2011. Major private funding for Michael’s Village was provided by Aileen Getty. |
140 units to go! How to help
In every community there always has been, and always will be, individuals who because of their vulnerability are unable to sustain themselves on their own. It is the role of community to be the best provider of healing and support for these individuals.
It takes Community readiness:
Most individuals who are chronically homeless, including those that have been living on the streets for decades, are affected by mental illness – brain disorders that are no one’s fault. Each homeless individual is someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, child. Their chronic homelessness is a symptom not only of their vulnerability, but also of a broken community system.
It’s well documented that it costs taxpayers 40% less to provide these vulnerable neighbors with permanent supportive housing versus leaving them on the streets. Permanent supportive housing provides not only a home to these chronically homeless individuals, but also wraps that housing in rich supportive services.
Effectively addressing chronic homelessness through permanent supportive housing requires a highly coordinated community network — an enhanced community system that heals and sustains ALL of its members. Step Up on Second is the demonstrated leader in developing this community readiness – the key to success in ending chronic homelessness.
Contributions to the Hollywood Campaign help engineer a sustainable economic path to ending homelessness and enhancing the community. Choose to participate.
Here’s what you can do.
Our beloved Jacob Ramsey received notification today that he was selected as a “Daily Point of Light” Volunteer of Recognition through the Points of Light Foundation started under President Bush (#41). Jacob received a certificate and was featured at the POL website. Jacob is honored and, as always, so humble and gracious about his recognition. So happy for you Jacob – Congrats! Well deserved!
