Rhoda and Gochin – who have operated a small family-style board and care home in the San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) for the last 22 years
“Our Governor and Legislature must take immediate action to prevent the seriously mentally ill and seniors from becoming homeless and to avoid the devastation of this critical housing resource for some of the most vulnerable residents in the State,” said Bennie Tinson, MPP, LARCA Executive Director.
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. The Licensed Adult Residential Care Association (LARCA) will travel to Sacramento August 22-23, in coordination with the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Los Angeles County to advocate for fair treatment for Los Angeles County’s seriously mentally ill.
Low-income people living with serious mental illness in LA County and across the State are at risk of becoming homeless. The Department of Social Services recently reported the closing of 27 facilities in Los Angeles County in the first quarter of 2023, that provide care and housing for some of the States most vulnerable residents.
More facilities are expected to close before the end of the year. LARCA Members are urging Governor Newsom and State Legislators to move quickly to provide immediate emergency funding to prevent millions of low-income seniors and adults living with serious mental illness from becoming homeless. Residents diagnosed with a serious mental illness receive approximately $44 a day.
The are too many Homeless seniors on the streets. This person is sleeping on the handicapped ramp of the LA County Board of Supervisors Boardroom.
LARCA members are requesting an immediate infusion of $2,000 for each bed in a state-licensed facility with 70% of their residents receiving the Social Security Income (SSI) payment, living with serious mental illness, and receiving no other supplemental assistance.
Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs) and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs), more commonly known as “Board and Cares,” provide housing, 24/7 care, staff assistance to help residents meet their basic daily needs, three meals a day snacks, medication management and more.
The Licensed Adult Residential Care Association (LARCA) represents over 400 Los Angeles County licensed ARF’s and RCFE’s, many of whom are struggling to keep their doors open and more than 15,000 low-income Los Angeles County residents living with serious mental illness.
Bennie Tinson, MPP, LARCA Executive Director.
About The Licensed Adult Residential Care Association (LARCA)
LARCA is a nonprofit community-based membership association with an emphasis on serving the population of owner/operators of Adult Residential Facilities (ARFs) and Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) and their residents, who are reliant on public benefits and/or living with serious mental illness, formed with fiscal sponsorship from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Greater Los Angeles County (NAMI GLAC).
Arlene and Priscilla Delgado, ages 4 and 8, each used their savings to purchase Christmas toys for a less fortunate child through the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corp’s Giving Tree program at Inland Center Mall. Help the Salvation Army obtain more toys for children in need by going to the Giving Tree by Dec. 24. Photo by Kelly Silvestri-Raabe
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) It’s not to late to make a Happy Christmas for a child. Giving a toy to a needy child. It a small gesture, but participating in The Salvation Army’s Giving Tree will make this Christmas memorable for children in need. Without your help, some children won’t get anything for Christmas.
“Just pick up an Angel Giving Tree tag and buy a needy child the gift listed on the tag! The Angel Giving Tree matches donors with hundreds of children who are relying on The Salvation Army this year to bring them a Merry Christmas,” said Major Daniel Henderson, Corps officer for the San Bernardino Salvation Army.
The San Bernardino Corps Giving Tree is at Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino, 500 Inland Center Drive in San Bernardino, 92408. Donations received here provide toys to children from 300 disadvantaged families in San Bernardino, Rialto, Highland, Grand Terrace, Colton, Fontana and Bloomington.
“Please support disadvantaged children with a Christmas gifts at the Giving Tree by visiting our table in the Inland Center Mall and fulfilling the wishes of a child till December 24th,” said Lt Cathie McCully.
Shoppers find cards attached to the Giving Tree. These cards include the names and wish lists of needy children whose families cannot afford to buy gifts. Shoppers simply pluck a tag off the Giving Tree and head for the appropriate store to purchase their gift donations, then return it to the Giving Tree volunteers.
Shoppers get to keep the card as an ornament to hang on their own Christmas tree, reminding them of their good deed.
“This is a great way to start a tradition with your family, by selecting a gift for a needy child together. The gifts are based on their individual wishes and for some children, it may be the only gift they receive all year,” said Lt McCully.
“Soccer balls, dolls and clothes are just a few items on each child’s wish list,” said Major Henderson. “Shoppers who participate in the program are encouraged to shop for more than what is needed on the list. I can’t think of a better way for local people including business owners and managers to help the community and spread the spirit of Christmas.”
For more information on the Giving Tree call (909) 888-1336 or visit the tree in the Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino. To donate money by phone call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (800-725-2769). Donate on line at: WesternUSA.SalvationArmy.org
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Our local number is (909) 888-1336.
“The Salvation Army and a group of more than 20 community volunteers handed out food and toys to 455 families with about 1,400 children on Thursday, Dec. 17 and Friday, Dec. 18. The crew helping with this distribution included (front row), Lorena Montero, Lt. Kathleen Griffiths (assistant corps officer), Sara Lopez, Alfredo Lemus, Jeremiah Hamilton, Mara Koebel, Monica Ramos, Maria Otero, Michelle Osborn, Dulce Gonzalez, Jay Matthew (back row), Trevor Bierns, Monica Ayala, Emanuel Cribley, Jose Mota, Vince Estebeme, Jacqueline Cortes, Jennifer Quiroga, Maricruz Tafoya, Michelle Rosales, and Rosalinda Soto.
(SAN BERNARDINO, CA) The San Bernardino Salvation Army Corp (www.salvationarmyusa.org) of San Bernardino blessed 455 families this week with holiday gifts.
Thursday, Dec 17 and Friday, Dec. 18, The Salvation Army and community volunteers handed out food boxes, Stater Bros. gift certificates and toys to 455 families who otherwise would not have had a great Christmas. The families include about 1,400 children.
This was really a community-wide effort, noted Lt. Kathleen Griffiths, assistant corps officer, as she assisted a team of more than 20 volunteers in distributing the gifts.
“We care a great deal about the people of San Bernardino and nearby communities,” Lt. Griffiths said. “So we ask the community what they can give, and what the community gives we give to those who are in need.”
At the same time, corps officers Maj. Daniel Henderson and Capt. Anya Henderson told the Christmas story to hundreds of people in the families who were blessed.
Lt. Griffiths noted the Salvation Army uses a screening process to determine those who will benefit from the gift distribution. Those who know they will need help during the holiday season apply in October and November, and as many as the Salvation Army can accommodate are selected in late November. In 2015 nearly all of those who asked for assistance received it.
The Salvation Army is still accepting gifts for specific children at the Giving Tree at the Inland Center Mall in San Bernardino. Food donations are also needed for more food baskets and for the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas dinner on Christmas Day.
The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps has distributed holiday gifts to those in need for longer than almost anyone can remember, starting before it moved to its former location on Fifth Street in 1950. It has been helping people in San Bernardino since first opening the San Bernardino Corps in 1887.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Our local number is (909) 888-1336.
(SAN BERNARDINO, CA) It might seem like a very small gesture, but participating in The Salvation Army’s Giving Tree will make this season memorable for children in need.
“Just pick up a Angel Giving Tree tag and buy a needy child the gift listed on the tag! The Angel Giving Tree matches donors with hundreds of children who are relying on The Salvation Army this year to bring them a Merry Christmas,” said Major Daniel Henderson, Corps officer for the San Bernardino Salvation Army.
The San Bernardino Corps already has plans to set up two Angel Giving Trees this year, one at Inland Center Mall, and the other at the Wal-Mart store on Hallmark Parkway. Donations received here help The San Bernardino Salvation Army Corps provide toys to children from 600 disadvantaged families in San Bernardino, Rialto, Highland, Grand Terrace, Colton, Fontana and Bloomington.
“You can support our Giving Tree by visiting our table in the Inland Center Mall from Friday, November 27th to December 24th,” said Major Henderson.
Shoppers wishing to participate in the Giving Tree will find cards attached to the Giving Tree. These cards include the names and wish lists of needy children whose families cannot afford to buy gifts. Shoppers simply pluck a tag off the Giving Tree and head for the appropriate store to purchase their gift donations. Shoppers keep the card as an ornament to hang on their own Christmas tree, reminding them of their good deed.
“This is a great way to start a tradition with your own family, by selecting a gift for a needy child together. The gifts are based on their individual wishes and for some children, it may be the only gift they receive all year,” said Major Henderson.
“Soccer balls, dolls and clothes are just a few items on each child’s wish list,” said Major Henderson. “Shoppers who participate in the program are encouraged to shop for more than what is needed on the list. I can’t think of a better way for local people including business owners and managers to help the community and spread the spirit of Christmas.”
The Salvation Army is looking for other business owners and managers who would like to have a tree at their place of business for employees and/or customers.
To host a Giving Tree in San Bernardino, Colton, Grand Terrace, Rialto, Bloomington, Muscoy or Highland, call (909) 888-1336.
The Salvation Army Corps in other areas of the Inland Empire also collect toys. Some will have trees, while others will accept donations at their Corps headquarters.
About the Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps
The Salvation Army may be able to provide emergency services including food; lodging for homeless or displaced families; clothing and furniture; assistance with rent or mortgage and transportation when funds are available. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) assists rescue workers and evacuees in such disasters as fires.
The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, and also offers evangelical programs for boys, girls and adults. One of the largest charitable and international service organizations in the world, The Salvation Army has been in existence since 1865 and in San Bernardino since 1887, supporting those in need without discrimination. Donations may always be made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-(800)-SAL-ARMY. Our local number is (909) 888-1336.
