Ascencia

TO LIFT PEOPLE OF OUT HOMELESSNESS, ONE PERSON, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME.

We envision a community where people in need can find services, resources, and safe, affordable hous

Goal One: Financial Sustainability: to grow sustainable revenue by diversifying funding sources and increasing donors.

Goal Two: Management Infrastructure: to focus on professional and leadership development, training, efficiency, and technology to strengthen our current foundation.

Goal Three: Client Impact Expansion: to grow value oriented programs using the Ascencia model to create more housing and services to lift more families and individuals out of homelessness.

The Director of Operations received tuition reimbursement for completing the (Society for Human Resources Management) SHRM - SCP certification. The Director of Programs actively participated in the City of Glendale's CA Racial Equity Action Lab (CA REAL) and helped to develop Vaccine Outreach education curriculum and materials for BIPOC community outreach presentation and distribution via a capacity building grant through United Way. Our Director of Grants and Contracts has been trained in and is working with BambooHR in order to streamline our staff onboarding, training, and cross-training.

In 2020 under DPH mandates, Ascencia ceased enrollment of new clients in all programs and sheltered in place with existing clients beyond 60-120 days. All donations became drop off only. After that screening protocols pertained to new clients. Staff and clients followed quarantine protocols and we decompressed our shelter to 50% capacity by moving clients to motels and our administrative building by having staff rotate on a remote work schedule. Case management and clinical services were provided by phone and virtually once we were able to access enough computers for everyone to connect virtually. We purchased HIPAA compliant Zoom, PPE, decals, plexiglass, and many other COVID-19 supplies, all unbudgeted expenses. Ascencia cancelled our biggest fundraiser, a gala in 2020, pivoting to a virtual event instead and a hybrid event in 2021. We had an in-person gala in April 2022 after postponing it in February due to Omicron. In collaboration with the City of Glendale, Ascencia moved 55 eligible unsheltered single adults into temporary housing at local hotels under Project RoomKey and delivered food to them daily until the program ended in Dec. 2021. We increased custodial services, adding regular hospital grade cleaning and disinfection services which we still maintain along with limits on capacity for common areas, offices, the elevator, and agency vehicles. We mandated vaccines for our staff starting in September 2021 and have held multiple vaccine clinics on premises. We experienced staff and clients outbreaks of COVID-19 in 2020, 2021, and early 2022. We opened our facility and then abruptly closed it with each outbreak and many folks understandably opted not to volunteer to come on site when we were open. We continue to operate in this way pending mandates from DPH. Permanent changes include regular use of Zoom for meetings, Hybrid remote work schedules where possible, and continued surgical grade or higher mask wearing in our congregate setting.