Step Up on Second

Santa Monica Elks 906 generously donated 54 #Chromebooks for our Veterans! Pictured here are veterans Matthew L., Bill S. and Bill K. (with wife Kim) gratefully receiving their Chromebooks that will support enhanced connectivity during the pandemic. These veterans live at Step Up’s Building 209 at the West Los Angeles VA Campus. Laptops & smartphones are vital technology that support #mentalhealth by improving Step Up members’ access to telehealth video calls with our service coordinators. District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler RA Pickett, who coordinated the donation for Elks Lodge 906, shares the mantra of the #Elks, So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will not forget them.

The Specialty Family Foundation has been a longtime enthusiastic supporter of Step Up. We recently interviewed Specialty’s Grants Manager Tiann Ortiz. Tiann & the Foundation have been instrumental in funding the critical work that Step Up carries out every day to #endhomelessness through #permanentsupportivehousing & services. The Foundation focuses on the Westside of Los Angeles & has partnered with Step Up to really understand how substance misuse & homelessness intersect. With the Specialty Family Foundation’s strong commitment to Step Up’s innovative #HousingFirst approach, we look forward to many more years of collaboration through conversation. Read the full interview:

Here are some #mentalhealth & #selfcare tips from Step Up!

Your vote matters. If you have questions or experience any issues voting today, you can call the Election Protection line at 1-866-OUR-VOTE #Vote2020

Step Up's peer stipend workers were celebrated last week with beautiful handmade cards donated by volunteers on behalf of the Westside Food Bank Auxiliary Board, a group of young, thoughtful professionals who invest in the Food Bank's mission. Pictured here are Bryce, Charmente and Maria, three peer stipend workers in Step Up's Vocational Workforce Development Program at Second St. in Santa Monica. Koichi is a peer stipend worker on Step Up's Hollywood crew. With the Santa M...onica Fresh Start cafe closed due to the pandemic, many of the peer stipends have had to pivot into new roles. Today we honor these workers for continuing to show up every day during the pandemic and work so hard to keep the work place safe. We also thank the Westside Food Bank for continuing to provide Step Up members with essential weekly free food supplies for our kitchens and food pantries. See more

Step Up is on target to house 100 more people by the end of the year. Help our outreach teams house even more by supplying our neighbors with items to keep warm. Check out our wishlist & e-mail Carolyn at [email protected] to coordinate donations.

After 20 years of #homelessness, Alberto, an Army Veteran, was housed by Step Up. He is still living in that same apartment 5 years later! We recently caught up with Alberto about his journey with homelessness, #mentalhealth, and how he’s doing now. Read his story on our blog below.

Recovery is possible. #MentalHealthMatters

The 8 units of Daniel's Village, which opened in Santa Monica in 2009, are specifically designed for young adults experiencing #homelessness & the initial symptoms of #mentalhealth conditions. This project was a major rehab of a 1940's hotel located on the original Route 66.

Thanksgiving is a month away! Angelenos, you can support our formerly homeless tenants at nine Step Up #permanentsupportivehousing locations around LA by donating individually packaged meals on Thanksgiving. Covid-safe contactless meal deliveries reduce #foodinsecurity as well as social isolation by sending the message that our members are part of the community and belong in community. Reach out to Carolyn at [email protected] to coordinate your November delivery today.

Step Up member Diamond, recently promoted to peer stipend kitchen lead, was honored yesterday by the Westside Coalition for her resilience, hard work and tireless spirit. After attending the Coalition's virtual breakfast, Diamond said, "I'm very humbly thankful to all of the people in my support team at Step Up as well as Daniel's Place and staff. I want to thank Westside Coalition for honoring me. I'm very proud of all the other honorees that were honored as well." After years of experiencing homelessness, Diamond came to Step Up four years ago and has been rebuilding her life ever since. After being housed, Diamond began focusing on learning culinary skills last summer. We celebrate Diamond's persistent and diligent work in Step Up's Vocational program! #CSB2020

Step Up thanks all its volunteer digital advocates for continuing to engage with us on #mentalhealthawareness in the virtual world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today we acknowledge Step Up virtual volunteer Jennifer Darnell. Jen is a resident physician at Loma Linda who says, "I have a strong personal & professional interest in public health, mental health and homelessness. So, I was naturally drawn to Step Up's commitment to its community. #Mentalhealth & #stablehousing are the foundation to a good quality of life and physical well-being."

Step Up proudly uses the #HousingFirst model. A permanent home is the foundation for stabilization & reintegration into community. In addition to #permanentsupportivehousing, Step Up provides services that support behavioral & medical needs, income, landlord relationships, and mental health to help members stay housed.

Help a Step Up member manage their health conditions. Donate $100 a month and your gift will provide one home visit from a psychiatrist or nurse for medication support. Step Up & Sustain by becoming a monthly donor here: https://bit.ly/2ZYImCG