Hello {First Name},

At Ascencia, we are forever indebted to our incredible donor base for all of the generosity they've shown us throughout the years. Our donors and community supporters are the reason that we are standing today and able to offer our services to our unhoused neighbors.

Last month, on Saturday, April 2nd, we held our 14th annual Gala at City Club LA. For over a decade, this event has allowed our donors to come together for a night of fun, auctioning, dancing, and benefitting Ascencia.

Our 14^th Annual “Share the Love” Gala to support Ascencia’s mission to lift people out of homelessness, one person, one family at a time was a huge success with over 250 caring people in attendance including a beautiful example of a philanthropic legacy. Our presenter and benefactor, David L. Ho; our founding and past board presidents; Nicholas Lam, Gene “Chip” Stone, Mia Lee, Debbie Hinckley, and Deacon Ronald Baker; our current board president, Kim Guard; and our board president-elect, Bryan Longpre were all in attendance with the past presidents demonstrating what it means for predecessors to pass down their institutional knowledge to each incoming President while remaining connected to the organization in meaningful ways to serve the greater good for years to come.

We could not do what we do to move people experiencing homelessness who are truly suffering into the safety and security of permanent housing with a 95% housing retention rate without such dedication from them and all our funders, donors, volunteers, and partners.

The month of May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, and with untreated mental illnesses being a leading cause of homelessness, we are taking the time to remind ourselves and our constituents how important education and awareness of these issues are. Those suffering with mental illness are at higher risk of debt or homelessness, and overall quality of life tends to decline, which makes finding the motivation, resources, or knowledge to seek help incredibly difficult. Ascencia is aware of this fact, which is why we are committed to offering life-changing mental health services and resources to our clients.

Every gesture of kindness means a world of difference for the individuals and families we help, and we could not be more grateful to have such a strong, compassionate community behind us to create such meaningful change.

With sincere gratitude,

In 2019, Ruben was left homeless after finding himself unable to pay rent. The COVID-19 pandemic hit, and after catching the virus, Ruben could no longer work, and was left homeless on the streets of West Hollywood and living out of a used vehicle he acquired. In 2021, Ruben found Joseph, one of our Case Managers here at Ascencia, during an outreach effort in West Hollywood.

During his time at Ascencia, Ruben was given three nutritious meals a day, a warm bed, showers, occupational therapy, and supportive case management services that helped him find stable housing. After receiving a housing voucher, Ruben was able to move into his new apartment and start a new life for himself. Ruben could not be more grateful for the help that Ascencia provided him. "Now I can say that I am home again," he says. Ruben sees Ascencia as the catalyst for starting a brand new life.

We at Ascencia want to congratulate Ruben for his recent move into a new home and give thanks to YOU, our incredible supporters, for helping each of our clients change their lives for the better.

Meet our newest Ascencia board member, Philip Ambrose, who joined this March! Phil is a Fire Battalion Chief for the Glendale Fire Department assigned to the Verdugo Fire Communications Center. He joined Ascencia’s board because the Fire Department is on the front line of emergency care to the unhoused. He is also a student of Jesuit education, believing in ‘men for and with others’ and a duty to serve the community. He is a former board member for Wellness Works of Glendale and committee member for Not on our Watch which is designed to prevent military deaths by suicide.