December blew in this year with hopes and tension, stress and elation. We have the unscripted moments that lift the heart…volunteers singing, gifts that magically appear and a beautiful tree and lights to brighten the shelter. And we have worry, because so many people need our help.

And so, on December 21st, the longest night of the year, we remember with sadness both our friends and strangers who died on the streets. Later we celebrate hope and joy with the children and families we shelter.

To all our supporters, thank you for your warmth and encouragement and may you have a beautiful holiday.

If you would like to attend Glendale’s National Memorial Day for Homeless Persons, please join us on December 21st in the Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Glendale, 209 N. Louise Street at 5:30 p.m.

This Friday, 11.11.11, is Veteran’s Day.
In honor of our veterans, Ascencia staff – as we do throughout the year – will be working hard to offer support, assistance and housing to homeless veterans.

Last May, the City of Glendale and Ascencia committed to ending veteran homelessness in the greater Glendale area. Since then, at least 7 homeless veterans identified through Ascencia’s Outreach team have moved into housing; another 2 will be moving into a home of their own within the next two weeks. In July, Ascencia was awarded $100,000 from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs in support of our efforts and with this award, we continue our work housing homeless veterans and have now included services to prevent ‘at-risk’ veterans from becoming homeless.

A few weeks ago, we were delighted to move Ken into his place after 13 years of living in his car and with friends.

Ken is 83 years old and a US Veteran; though no one would know it, he has been homeless for the last 13 years. In 1998 when Ken lost his Glendale home, he was left with only his car for shelter.

Prior to becoming homeless, Ken had served in the US Navy, earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Syracuse University and succeed as a self employed Interior Designer. No one, not even Ken, could have guessed that he would struggle with homelessness for over a decade.

Just a couple of weeks ago, with the help of Ascencia and the City of Glendale, Ken signed his first lease in years.
While Ken has been attending Glendale’s Senior Nutritional Meals Program since 2006, and had previously consulted with Senior Case Managers regarding his homelessness, it was not until June of 2011 that Ken sought help through Ascencia. With the winter months approaching and Ken no longer able to live in his car, he consulted with Ascencia Outreach Case Managers before entering the program and working with Ascencia’s Veteran

We are indebted to Larry Zarian for his support over the years and we, as the rest of the Glendale community, will miss him.

PATH Achieve Glendale becomes Ascencia.

Many thanks to ABC7 Broadcast Studios for production of this video.

Special thanks to Diane Medina, Ruth House, Phillip Palmer, Arnie Kleiner, Webb Webber & Peter Weiner.

Ascencia (ˈä sens ē´ ä) n. A homeless services agency dedicated to ending homelessness one person, one family at a time in the greater Glendale (California) area.   Predecessors include Project ACHIEVE, PATH Achieve Glendale.

We are thrilled to have concluded the process of selecting a new name!  Many thanks to the staff, clients and volunteers who helped us clarify our identify and huge kudos to the Board of Directors for getting agreement so quickly!  This process reaffirmed what a thoughtful group of people we have, considerate of diverse ideas and ready to find consensus.  It is a privilege to be part of this team.

-Natalie