Nearly 8 years ago, Debra Collins came to us with no place to stay and looking to start her life anew after a lifetime of hardships and tragedy. Today she comes to us again; this time to share her story of success, as a new author of her autobiography “Crossing Over Boundaries”.

In 2005, Debra became a resident in our 40-bed emergency shelter, eventually exiting successfully to our transitional housing program. From the first day she became a client with Ascencia (then, PATH Achieve Glendale), it was clear that Debra was determined to do whatever she had to do to get her life back on track. Her strong positive attitude, dedication and hard work led Debra to a better paying job, permanent housing and ultimately, being reunited with her children, who had been in a family member’s care while Debra got back on her feet.

In the years after her time at Ascencia, Debra has continued to excel. Her recent book “Crossing Over Boundaries” chronicles her journey through child abuse, self-destruction, recovery and self-discovery and serves to inspire others who have suffered.

In honor of Debra’s courage, Ascencia is pleased to announce a book signing and information session on Sunday July 14th at the Central Library in Glendale. Debra will read excerpts from her new book and share how Ascencia’s support helped her maintain sobriety and break the cycle of homelessness.

Sunday, July 14, 2013
Central Library, City of Glendale
222 E. Harvard St.
Glendale, CA 91205
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This event is co-sponsored by Ascencia, Library, Arts & Culture and Friends of the Glendale Public Library.

Find her book here.

 
On Tuesday May 28, with the help of Ascencia case manager Jess, shelter resident David and his new kitten moved into their new home. David had been a resident in our Winter Shelter program this past winter when he was first introduced to his Ascencia case manager Jess. Despite a difficult past history, David was able to build trust and respect with his case manager, a bond that would help keep him encouraged during the difficult months ahead.

David’s journey to homelessness
An abusive broken home will take its toll on any child, and David was no exception. Left to fend for himself following his placement in foster homes and group housing, David kept busy with construction jobs from Texas to Washington when he wasn’t incarcerated for petty crimes. He made a living working with his hands, which he has a gift for, but also because he is nearly illiterate. His passion for work and to be of service was evident on a daily basis as he continually volunteered to sweep or paint or mop at the shelter. Just about anything that needed a hand, he was offering to do!

At Ascencia, David was identified as a candidate for our Shelter Plus Care program which provides permanent supportive housing and ongoing case management for chronically homeless and disabled clients. Approximately 7 years ago David was riding his bicycle when a vehicle forced him out into traffic and he went head first into the back of a truck. He suffered a traumatic brain injury that affects him to this day. David’s brain injury affected every aspect of his life and it was only a matter of time before he had expended his cash payout from the case. His lawyer at the time put David up in a room while the case was being worked out… that was 7 years ago and that was the last time David had a safe place to stay before he found Ascencia.

On the Road to Ending the Cycle of Homelessness
Case manager Jess submitted David’s housing application to the City of Glendale and during this period, Jess continued to offer case management and caring words of encouragement. After weeks of searching for housing and being turned down for various reasons, what helped David stay focused was his trust in Jess and that Ascencia was committed to helping him through this very difficult period. Even while nothing seemed to be working out, David continued to trust Jess to help him sort it out.

During his time at the shelter, David also fell in love… with a stray kitten he named Hectic! With housing and a source of income nearly secured, David decided that this stray kitten needed a caring pet parent to take care of him.

Finally, after many false starts and dashed hopes, David was approved for an apartment on Tuesday May 28. Ascencia helped him furnish his new home and today, he and Hectic are doing well. Of course, David still drops by the shelter to say hello, and what else? To offer help with anything around the shelter!

Congratulations David… and Hectic!

Wishing all fathers, especially those at Ascencia, a very happy Father’s Day!

What better gift for a mother who is homeless, than knowing she is doing all she can, and succeeding, at getting her child out of homelessness.

It is a rare and splendid thing for a person to receive, on consecutive days, an AA degree and an award for Employee of the Month. Made only more rare and splendid, if that person is a single mother with a four year old son, and living in a homeless shelter.

Shanesha and her son have been living with us in the Ascencia emergency shelter since January- after she found herself, for the second time in her life, with no where to go and no one to rely on.

Shanesha grew up in Foster Care, so age 18 when she exited the program, she instantly learned to be the independent and strong woman that she is today. As she says, [she] “kept herself uplifted and determined”. However, despite being employed since the day she exited foster care, last January, Shanesha came to Ascencia seeking help when she was unable to find housing for herself and her son.

When they entered the shelter, Shanesha was already well on her way to an Associate of Arts degree in behavioral science at Pasadena City College. Along with her full time studies, determined to build a better life for herself and her son, Shanesha was also working part-time in the PCC Computer Lab.

Shanesha after the graduation ceremony

Last Thursday, Shanesha was awarded Employee of the Month; last Friday Shanesha was awarded her AA degree.

Pride in her achievement has spilled over. Always positive and with a ‘can do’ attitude, it’s no wonder most of our 40+ shelter residents have been rooting for Shanesha.

A fellow resident purchased a very large congratulations card and placed it on a table where other residents signed and wrote about their appreciation for her efforts. It is a mark of the positive attitude she carries in the shelter, that the card –despite it’s size- was filled up rapidly. A number of our residents even attended Shanesha’s award ceremony.

Soon, Shanesha and her young son will be moving into an apartment here is Glendale as part of Ascencia’s Scattered Site/ Transitional Housing Program. They will live on their own, with subsidized rent, while Shanesha continues to earn and save for a place of their own.

As well as continuing with work, Shanesha will also continue in her education. She is already enrolled at Cal State- Dominguez Hills and planning for her bachelor’s degree.

Congratulations, Shanesha! You’ve made us all very proud.

To Shanesha and all the moms out there working hard to provide for their children, we wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day!

At our staff meeting today we remembered Jesse and Kate.

Tuesday was Kate’s 58^th birthday.  It was also the day she was found dead in an alley.

Our office has been rocked by a series of crises and we barely had time to process Jesse’s death when we learned about Kate. Jesse, a chronically homeless veteran, was very sweet, but he had his struggles.  That he ultimately died in his apartment was testimony not only to the support our staff gave him, but to his own commitment to do better.

We knew Kate over a much longer period of time.  She was among the earliest chronically homeless people that we helped into housing and she remained housed for 2 ½ years.  What followed can only be described as a nightmare of unfolding events that resulted in her return to the streets and her progressive decline.  We remained committed to helping her, often pushing against her resistance, up until the day before she died.

Jesse was sweet.  Kate was salty.  Jesse was quiet.  Kate was loquacious.

Our lives were better for knowing them and they will be missed.