Seasons Greetings, Ascencia!
I can’t believe we are already nearing the end of November! The midterm elections are over, and as we adjust to the colder weather, the time change, and the excitement of the fast-approaching holiday season, we never forget those that continuously need our help. For people experiencing homelessness, end-of-the-year stress can become overwhelming as the days turn darker and colder and the holidays themselves become a painful reminder of their reality and the losses they have endured. There are several ways you can help Ascencia make this season bright for people transitioning out of homelessness.
Consider donating to our Holiday Giving 2022 campaign to help us continue providing services through the holidays and into the new year. You can also take part in our annual Adopt-A-Family program, where you can make the season brighter for a family in need by donating gifts from their holiday wish lists! Please note that some families are family of one, many of whom are senior citizens. In those cases, we work extra hard to ensure they do not become isolated or feel forgotten during the holiday season and all year long. You can learn more about these opportunities and more on our website at www.ascenciaca.org.
By helping us break down barriers and rebuild the lives of people in our community, you are giving our clients greater control over their own destiny as they move forward in their lives. I can’t think of a more meaningful, thoughtful gift.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I want to give thanks to all our supporters for strengthening and championing Ascencia. We are extremely grateful for your kindness and generous support of our mission to lift people out of homelessness, one person, one family at a time.
Thank you for all you do for those in need in our community! We wish all of you a joyous and bright Holiday Season and coming year.
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Dr. Laura Duncan
Executive Director
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Support Ascencia for the Holidays! | |
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Our Holiday 2022 Giving campaign is our biggest crowd-funding campaign of the year. The funds we raise during this time will help Ascencia to continue running our invaluable programs through the end of the year and into 2023. Thanks to two generous matching gifts from Pacific BMW and David L. Ho, and Bruce and Debbie Hinckley, your gift will be matched up to $28,000! This means even more life-saving support for the individuals and families we serve!
We will be sharing more information via email, social media, and on our website as the holidays approach! Help us raise $75,000 this holiday season. Donate Now!
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While most of us look forward to this time of year, for our clients, it can be a time of more stress than merriment, more disappointment than joy. Sign-up to be a Holiday Helper and purchase holiday gifts for Ascencia's families and individuals in-need.
We have dozens of families struggling to provide for their kids and and even more single adults (mostly seniors) spending the day alone. Help make them feel special! Sign up to adopt a family this year and make their holidays joyous. Adopt-A-Family Here!
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In honor of the 10th Anniversary of Giving Tuesday, we are asking our supporters to consider making a $10 donation to help us purchase Target gift cards.
Many of our clients come to us with limited resources, and when Ascencia does not have the supplies at the ready in the shelter, we provide a Target gift card to help with an immediate need like medical supplies, work clothes, baby food, and more. Help us lift more people out of homelessness. Donate Here! (P.S. You can donate early!!)
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At 81 years old, Ron had a heart attack and a stroke, forcing him to give up his two jobs. He was recently divorced and left with no support to help him with his serious medical issues. He became homeless and had no choice but to stay in shelters.
For two years, Ron was back and forth between shelters and staying with friends, but could not find stability. That is until he found Ascencia's resources at the Glendale Library.
Ron stayed at Ascencia's emergency shelter, received intensive case management, and took financial literacy courses. He eventually received his housing voucher, and from there, his life was changed.
Ron moved into his own one bedroom apartment in Glendale on November, 8th, 2022. He is home safe again, thanks to Ascencia's programs and services. He is forever grateful for the support of Ascencia's staff, especially his case manager Alfred, as well as all of our donors and volunteers.
We are so proud of Ron for staying strong through this process and we are so glad that he is happy and safe!!
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We want to extend a thank you to all of our major donors of last fiscal year! We are so grateful! |
Benefactors
GAVE $100,000+
The S.H. Ho Foundation • Parsons Foundation • Rose Hills Foundation
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Visionaries
GAVE $25,000-$99,999
The Ahmanson Foundation • Anonymous • Annenberg Foundation • Burbank Healthcare Foundation • Cathay Bank Foundation • David L. Ho, Jr. • Dignity Health Foundation • The Green Foundation • Gwendolyn Sexton Foundation • St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
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Champions
GAVE $10,000-$24,999
Anonymous • The Bettie Gordon Neale Foundation, Inc. • David and Janet Lazier • Paul N. & Paulette R. Wood Charitable Trust • Sunair Children’s Foundation • The Walt Disney Company
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Last month, Ascencia held its first in-person employee all-staff meeting after a string of zoom sessions. It was great to take a break from the hard work and bond with fellow coworkers, get to know new staff, and enjoy delicious pizza from Fresh Brothers, compliments of our board member, Terry Walker. We also played some board games and ended the time together salsa dancing led by our very own Dr. Laura Duncan. It was a blast!
We want to extend our thanks to Terry for taking time out of his busy schedule to personally thank staff for the work that goes on everyday at Ascencia. We felt the love!
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After a two year absence, Takeda Pharmaceutical held their Employee Engagement Event on November 10th, and Ascencia had the privilege of attending! Kavita Anand, Sr. Human Resources Business Partner, shared, “This event showcased our external community partners, clubs and many other associations that our employees can get involved with and bring their true self to work. I am really proud to work at a company that provides all opportunities for involvement showcased at this event.”
The Development Team enjoyed this opportunity to engage employees, recruit volunteers, say hello to Guest Chef volunteers and provide information on ways to support Ascencia.
We thank Takeda Pharmaceutical for extending this invitation, and to many employees who signed up to volunteer and support Ascencia!
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Ascencia's Summer Campaign: Next Chapter
Thank you so much for helping Ascencia provide our clients with the resources and support to lead them to the next chapter of their lives.
Together, we raised over $38,000 this summer!
We are so lucky to have your support. Here are just a handful of the clients we've housed this year, with many more to come...
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Upcoming Events
Annual Homeless Persons' Memorial: December 21st at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Ascencia's 15th Annual Gala: April 22nd at LA City Club.
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Text us!
If you would like to sign up for updates from Ascencia, please text 'RISE' to 24365.
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Come tour Ascencia!
Interested in learning more about our facility, programs, and services? Come take a tour of our Access Center! To set something up, please contact Camille Guerrero at cguerrero@ascenciaca.org
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