Monday, September 10, 2012

Dog Days of Sunmer...Lots of Heat and Lots of Set-ups

Even with TWC officially closed for business from August 25 through Labor Day, we still managed to set-up a lot of apartments for the families we serve.  I suspect many were rushed move-ins due to the housing authorities wanting to get people settled before school starts, but whatever the reasons, we have no photos of two family units that we gathered items for; one at the Transitional Living Center in Venice and the other in Westwood Transitional Village.  These were emergency move-ins for which we received very little notice. When that happens we can often do no more than gather the stuff together and drop it off.  I was able to do so for the Venice family just before our official closing and for a young mom and toddler at Westwood just after Labor Day.  While no decorating was involved, the intake families were both most appreciative.

While I was at Westwood, I saw a mom who I recognized from one of our set-ups last year and she was really keen to talk...wanting to check with me as to what she could take, what she had to leave because her big news was that she was moving.  When I told her everything that we left was hers for ever and ever she was so happy and got tears in her eyes.  I even had a vacuum to give her which a neighbor had just passed my way which really was just icing on the cake for her. She was so happy to share the news with me that she had a job, her daughter was doing well in school and she had just got an apartment in N. Hollywood via the Section 8 housing voucher program. Heres a little more info on what that is: (The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.
The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.
Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.
A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the PHA, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home.)  

Her joy was contagious and I left Westwood a happy woman, secure in the knowledge that what we do really does make a huge difference to these families.

Anyway, enough rambling.  Many thanks to all of you who helped with all these set-ups.  Without you and your incredible donations of time and stuff, none of this would ever happen.

And now for the picture evidence of the month!

Artificial flowers and a jolly cushion on the couch make a huge difference in a plain room.

Tea anyone!?

In Venice, moms and kids share a bedroom. Space is tight.

Because the bathrooms are usually shared with other families in Venice, 
we put their new towels on the bed so they could choose where to keep them.

This mom requested some clothing for her eight-y.o. son.
We got him back to school clothes, as well as new underwear and pjs. 
They were moving from a shelter and had very little.

New laundry basket. Karen found these at Ross for a 
really good price.

We love giving the children activity books, color books, markers and crayons and drawing paper.

This apartment is shared by three families.  They share the kitchen which has a remarkable
amount of cabinet space but no room for three fridges.  Two of them are in the dining room.

A couple of thank you notes from a mom and her daughter.
So thoughtful.


I think Ildy applied some real elbow grease to this sink and
left it sparkling!

We do love the Fourth Graders at Topanga Elementary,
the notes they write and the darling Cuties they make!

Linda Bolhuis putting the finishing touches on her toy display!

Every bathroom we do is different.

This room is shared by two children and looks fresh and welcoming

The master bedroom...finally, a good nights sleep for this mom and dad.

Every color scheme is different!

We like to give each family a bowl full of fresh fruit.

A toaster and a donated George Foreman grill.
Karen found these toasters for a good price, I think $10!
Great addition to every set-up.

Linda Bolhuis putting some decorating touches on her window treatment


Personal touches mean so much. 



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