Venice Community Housing Corporation

Venice Community Housing Corporation invites you to the 18th Annual Jazz at Palms Court Champagne Brunch & Venice Music Festival Community outreach and fundraising celebration! For more information, visit www.vchcorp.org/vmf.

Explore KCET's "Departures" video series at http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/venice/1-oakwood/steve-clare--venice-community-housing-corporation.html .

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.”