Venice Community Housing Corporation

Kick off the holiday season at Whole Foods Market with their first ever "Ultimate Food Fight" chef competition. Classically trained Whole Foods Market chefs will compete against one another to see who can win the competition to create the tastiest, most interesting spin on a holiday classic. With their holiday stuffing recipe as a base, chefs will have 45 minutes to create a new and unique dish using equipment on hand and a pantry of local an seasonal ingredients. Admission: Two Thanksgiving themed shelf stable food items to be donated to Venice Community Housing Corporation RSVP spven.marketing@wholefoods.com / 310.566.9480

Venice Community Housing Corporation invites you to the 19th Annual Jazz at Palms Court Champagne Brunch and Venice Music Festival Community outreach and fundraising celebration! For more information, click here.

The challenges poor and homeless Americans often face accessing clean drinking water and restroom facilities violate international human rights standards, according to a report issued by a United Nations investigator this month. Access the full article here.

Check out coverage of the event, including an interview with Executive Director Steve Clare, here.

Venice YouthBuild is a comprehensive education and job training program that helps youth, ages 17 to 24, graduate from high school and transition into gainful employment or education opportunities. For more information or to apply, click here

.

Signs, bus banners, and radio and TV have all heralded the start of Energy Upgrade California. This state-wide program is offering homeowners up to $4,500 in rebates and incentives for permanent, single-family home energy improvements made by participating contractors. Solar Santa Monica, a City-sponsored program, is holding a special Kick-Off on April 26 to introduce Energy Upgrade California to Santa Monica residents. The Kick-Off will be in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Main Library, from 7-8:30 p.m. The program is free, but interested residents are encouraged to RSVP by calling the Solar Santa Monica office at (310) 458-4992. “Energy efficiency is almost always the most cost-effective improvement you can make,” said Susan Munves, Administrator of the City’s Energy and Green Building Programs. “We see Energy Upgrade California as another boost to residents to help improve their home’s comfort and lower their energy costs.” At the Kick-Off, residents will get answers from representatives of the Program to questions such as: * Who is eligible for the rebate? * What energy upgrades are best for a typical Westside home that may have no central air conditioning: Insulation? Weather stripping? White roof? New windows? * How much will it cost for upgrades to get me the full $4,500 in rebates? * How do I find a good contractor? * How long does the process take? When do I get my rebate? VCHC's WRAPS service is a preferred contractor for the Energy Upgrade Program and will be on hand to answer questions!

Join us once again for an amazing charity bowling tournament and an all-around great party. All proceeds help the VCHC to continue to provide neighborhood based services for low income people. Teams of 6 bowlers, compete for highest score to win dozens of prizes, along with contests for team spirit, best costume and much more. Our goal is to double last year's turn out, so call out all your bowling buddies, co-workers, friends, family and any Lebowski fanatics. As usual, costumes are highly encouraged and rewarded. Entrance fee is $25 per person and includes all games and rentals for the night. Hosted by VCHC's Young Professionals Board. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit www.vchcorp.org/venicesocialclub .

This holiday season, donate new toys or gift cards to help ensure each of our young tenants receives a gift for the holidays. For families living from paycheck to paycheck, it can be extremely difficult to afford small extras. With your contribution you are helping to fulfill holiday wishes for the nearly 200 children living in VCHC’s buildings. New toys or gift cards for all ages are truly appreciated, but gift cards appropriate for teenagers are especially needed. Please bring gifts to VCHC’s offices at 720 Rose Ave., Venice, CA by December 16th. Our office is open between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Monday-Friday. We are truly thankful that concerned individuals like you can help make the holidays special for the children we serve. Thank you! Special thanks to those who have committed special help for the Toy Drive this year: Beyond Physical Therapy, Gateway Christian Church, Housing Options for People to Excel, Topanga Women’s Circle, and Voice of the Canals.

Help formerly homeless and low income families this holiday season by donating canned or nonperishable food. Donations can be dropped of at Whole Foods Market Venice. Designated bins are located near the check out. Your contributions will help our low income neighbors, who are working to stabilize their lives while living in VCHC’s affordable housing, provide food for themselves and their families.

Special thanks to all of the volunteers who helped to renovate and transform the community room at VCHC's Transitional Living Center for homeless mothers and their children! Check out this video of 11 year old Jackie Radinsky collecting books for the community room -

Explore KCET's "Departures" video series here.

The Venice Royale Casino Night features world-class poker tournament, black jack and craps tables at the the beautiful, waterfront Organic Pacificio. Guests compete for prizes including an i-pod nano, premier Angels' Baseball tickets, gift certificates to the best local restaurants and wine shops, and surf/skate shop, and more! (Grand Prize to be announced!) Plus music, entertainment, auction, and fine food and drinks from Organic Panificio’s renowned selection. April 21st at 7:00pm At Organic Panificio, 4211 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey. Tickets - $30, please reserve by April 14th at www.vchcorp.org/venicesocialclub. Buy back in at the event - additional poker chips for $20.

Thirty-two youth that might have been forgotten are getting a chance in the job market, thanks to Venice YouthBuid's education and job training program. On March 26, VCHC celebrated the graduation and program completion of 32 hard working young adults,ages 16-24, who participated in VCHC’s youthdevelopment program, Venice YouthBuild. Twenty youth received their high school diplomas, three received certificates for completing all of the required high school credits, and seven youth have completed the YouthBuild program but have additional coursework to finish in order to gain a diploma. Venice YouthBuild partners with the John Muir Charter School, which provides the academic components of the program on site at VCHC. For more info on the graduation, see News.

Our beautiful single and on bedroom apartments are located just steps from Venice Beach. They feature ocean views, contemporary designed apartments, bamboo flooring, full kitchens, on-site laundry and a rooftop deck with spectacular views! Please visit www.vchcorp.org/horizonapartments for more information or call at (310) 450-8250

Shop at Whole Foods Market Venice on Wednesday February 10 and support the Venice Community Housing Corporation (VCHC)! 5% of net sales for the day will be donated to VCHC. VCHC is thrilled to be recognized by our neighbor Whole Foods Venice as a positive force in this vibrant community!

VCHC's newest Annual Report, highlighting our work in 2008, is now available under About Us on our website.

VCHC has acquired a new building that will help house 20 formerly homeless individuals. The 20 unit apartment building, located at 15 Horizon Ave. in Venice, will also offer support services to residents to help them remain housed and live to their fullest potential. For more information, see the Santa Monica Daily Press article at www.vchcorp.org/news1.

The Venice Music Festival features world music to celebrate Venice's unique diversity. Performances by the Adaawe and the Susie Hansen Latin Band. Come for an afternoon of fun and community! Tickets $20 in advance or at the door. All proceeds benefit Venice Community Housing Corporation's affordable housing and supportive services for low-income and homeless youth and adults in Venice and the surrounding area. For more information or for tickets, call Marlies at (310) 399-4100 x 103.

VCHC's annual community and fundraising event is always a favorite. Enjoy a gourmet brunch in a garden setting with live music by the Ron Escheté Duo. A great chance to mingle with other community minded people and enjoy a beautiful day outdoors. And, the event benefits Venice Community Housing Corporation's affordable housing and supportive services for low-income or homeless youth and adults. Stay for the afternoon concert, for the best in world music! Brunch Tickets $125 By reservation only. For tickets call (310) 399-4100 x 106.

The Venice Social Club presents the Lebowski Bowl/Sobchak Shoot-Out to benefit Venice Community Housing Corporation. Bring your best bowling game, costume, and team spirit for a night of Lebowski mayhem. Trophies, prizes, white russian specials and more! To enter a team of four, visit www.vchcorp.org/bowl or contact Marlies at (310) 399-4100 x 103.

Classic & Eco Car, Truck, Motorcycle, and Bicycle Showcase Music & Food! Fun for the whole Family! World famous Venice Beach! Limited to 400 Vehicles (First Come, First Entered). Awards will be presented, Open to all Categories. For more information, please visit www.vchcorp.org/rides or contact James at (310) 399-4100 x 113 or james@vchcorp.org.

Please stop by to learn about our affordable housing and community development activities. Network and share ideas with other people who are working to strengthen the community.

Now, if you reserve tickets at www.dodgers.com/vchc and use the promo code "VCHC", the Dodgers will discount your tickets AND make a donation to VCHC for each ticket sold! Please pass this invitation to your friends, family, coworkers, and sports fans! Tickets for games will show up at www.dodgers.com/vchc 1-2 months before the game so make sure to check back throughout the season!

For more information, read the full article by going to our News section under News and Events or www.vchcorp.org/news1.

On February 27, VCHC celebrated the graduation and program completion of 18 hard working young adults, ages 16-24, who participated in VCHC’s Youth Development programs, Venice YouthBuild and Another Chance. Twelve youth received their high school diplomas, two received certificates for completing all of the required high school credits, and four youth have completed the YouthBuild program but have additional coursework to finish in order to gain a diploma. To view the Argonaut's coverage, visit www.vchcorp.org/news1. To view pictures from the event, visit our Photo Gallery.

VCHC is now offering free tax preparation for households earning less than $56,000 in 2008. Tax preparation can often be expensive. VCHC is now offering free services to alleviate this burden for low income individuals and families, and help them receive greater returns through Earned Income Tax Credits. For more information please visit our Program Resources, Free Tax Filing page at www.vchcorp.org/freetax.

VCHC’s new “Green” Employment Training helps today’s at-risk youth become tomorrow’s much needed “Green” workforce. This new addition to VCHC’s YouthBuild program is made possible by a generous grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation. The S. Mark Taper Foundation, founded in 1989, is a private family foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of people’s lives by supporting nonprofit organizations and their work in our communities. At-risk youth enrolled in VCHC’s Venice YouthBuild now receive classes to increase their environmental awareness and prepare them for gainful employment in high growth “Green” industries such as solar panel installation and sustainable landscaping. After learning valuable “Green” job skills, participants “green” Venice, help VCHC save on utility costs, and gain real-world work experience by installing solar panels and/or sustainable landscaping at VCHC’s office and affordable housing buildings. For more information, please view the Santa Monica Daily Press’s article in our “News” archives or go to the Venice YouthBuild page under “Our Services.”