Pajaro Valley Shelter ServicesEnding Homelessness - One Family at a Time

Summer 2018

You Moved Mom & Lizafrom Shelter to Home

From an unstable and disruptive home, Maggie and her daughter Liza, age 9, came to Pajaro Valley Shelter Services in hopes of finding temporary shelter. For the first time, they found themselves without a home. Maggie became depressed, had a low self-esteem, and was facing emotional abuse. Maggie says, “At first, Liza was afraid to get out of her bubble, because we were used to living one way. We soon realized that the Shelter offered us a better living situation than what we had before.”

At PVSS, Maggie worked hard to better her relationship with Liza. She also gained the skills to build her confidence and self-esteem. “Things have changed for me: instead of doubting myself, now I know that I can achieve the goals that I set for myself.” Before finding full-time employment, Maggie ran her own small business, making piñatas and baking.

Recently, they moved into their own apartment. “I feel relieved now that we have our own home. We love to decorate our place.”

115 Brennan Street, Watsonville, CA. 95076 · 831.728.5649 · info@pvshelter.org · www.pvshelter.org

August 2017Maggie and Liza move into our Emergency Shelter.

November 2017Maggie makes a piñata from scratch for a customer. She loves being creative and making people smile.

November 2017Liza writes her first letterto show her appreciation for PVSS. Liza wants to be a writer when she grows up.Read Liza’s LetteR on ouR Facebook Page: PvsheLteR.

December 2017Liza dresses up as Santa Claus to bring holiday joy to our families and staff.

April-June 2018From shelter to home: Maggie and Liza move into stable housing. Maggie finds a full-time job as a Cake Decorator at Safeway.

October 2017Liza and Maggie attend an AiducateNow STEM workshop. “We learned how electricity works. Liza was excited to assemble a model that created electricity.” - Maggie

The PaTh To housing

“My name is Angie Moreno. I’m 28 years old. I’ve been living in Watsonville since I was 4 years old. I graduated from CSUMB with a B.A. in Social Work. I’ve been working in social services for the past 5 years... Now I’m at Community Action Board...

I grew up in Las Lomas in a one-bedroom apartment and there were six of us. Now I would consider it a place not fit for habitation. We [were evicted] and moved to Watsonville where we lived in - what we called - a “Yellow House.” That’s where we lived for one year. I never understood why. I loved the house...

I was invited to a meeting with a Kaiser representative held at PVSS. Kimberly invited us on a tour to show us all the properties.... We stopped at the yellow houses [on Sudden Street] in front of the YMCA. I remembered those houses. Was I living in Transitional Housing when I was 4 years old? Kimberly confirmed that they were part of PVSS’ Transitional Housing.

It makes sense why I went to daycare [in the now-Emergency Shelter]. It makes sense why we were here for a year. It makes sense that we were showered with gifts in December. The house was furnished: we had everything...”FoLLow angie’s FuLL stoRy on ouR website, www.PvsheLteR.oRg, and Facebook Page, PvsheLteR.

On May 24th, 2018, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services purchased two housing units in Pajaro, Monterey County. Because of the Borina Foundation, PVSS’ housing units increased from 20 to 22.

PVSS Purchases Two New Properties

Thank You, Borina Foundation!

DID YOU KNOW...PVSS owns all 22 properties. We dedicate all funds raised to serving families!

You Did It!639 runners & walkers

120 volunteers

100s supporters

$75,000 raised

164 sponsors & donors

Congratulations, Bay Federal Credit Union, for winning

the Bank Challenge!

Together, we provide a sustainable

solution to family homelessness.

Your gifts have exponential

impact.

100% goal

DID YOU KNOW...PVSS partners with the Community Action Board, the California Rural Legal Assistance, Families in Transition, and the Pajaro Valley Unified School District to form the South County Housing Collaborative.

Angie Invites You to Come for a Tour

“Yellow House”

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jimmy Dutra, PresidentWatsonville City Council Member, Mayor Pro Tempore

Jordan Thorpe, Vice President/Secretary Broker Associate, Aldina Real Estate

Shirley Ow, TreasurerVice President of Human Resources, Graniterock

Beatriz Flores, DirectorWatsonville City Clerk

Blanca Johnston, DirectorIT Coordinator, Granite Construction Inc.

Andrew Wulf, DirectorSr. Director of StrawberryProduct Leadership

ADVISORY BOARD

William BartonConstance BrozDiane CooleyJay PetersenCarol SchmidtEdda TusinacKirt VojvodaSister Susan Olson

STAFF

Kimberly FermExecutive Director

Oana AlexanDevelopment Director

Annette MelendrezProgram Manager / Case Manager Laura SolisOffice/Database/Client Savings Manager

Carmen BalandranEmergency Shelter Manager

Ana MendozaPVSS Property Manager / SSVF Case Manager

Noeli PerezAdministrative Assistant

Perla Villegas Weekend Shelter Assistant

Welcome, Ana!

Ana Mendoza, PVSS’ New Property Manager / SSVF Case Manager

FiRst MotheR’s day RunGina: 15 years ago I walked it with my sister-in-law and my son Wyatt in a stroller. In 2018, I returned to volunteer.

Aurora: 1993 or 1994. I have only missed a couple of races because I was out of town or unable to attend - and in those cases, I usually have someone run it in honor of me.

youR insPiRation to outRun FaMiLy hoMeLessness with PvssGina: I want to give back to my community and honor my mom who passed away from breast cancer 21 years ago. Mother’s Day was a hard day for me. Then, 7 years ago, I had open heart surgery. I was out of shape and my children wanted me to partake in physical activities with them. My mom used to walk at 5 every morning. I wanted to set an example for my children too. I started walking in my neighborhood and soon, other women joined me. Aurora inspired me to get involved in Mother’s Day Run.

Aurora: I became a single mom and was going through mental and physical hardship and found inspiration in the race to keep me not only running in the race itself, but alsoin life with my two sons, and not give up.

Mother’s Day Run/Walk Volunteers Gina & Aurora Share Their Inspiration with You

Gina Cole and Aurora Ramirez are running girlfriends. This year, they both volunteered for Mother’s Day Run. They made phone calls to runners and helped us spread the word about the race to local running clubs. Gina led the warm-up at the event and helped administer a warm welcome to runners at the Finish Line.

THANK YOU!Be a precious volunteer too! Call us to

learn about opportunities at 831.728.5649 x102.

“I am a single parent, daughter of farm workers, an immigrant, first generation college student, and a recent graduate from UCSC with a B.A. in Sociology and Latin American and Latina/o Studies. I grew up in Watsonville, living a humble and simple life. Though I was not yet tall enough to get on the rollercoasters, I already knew that there were many injustices and disparities in our community. I made it my mission and my passion to bring social justice to our community. I am so proud and privileged to be part of PVSS’ team and our wonderful mission to assist women, children and families in finding a stable home. I am a product of all the support that Watsonville gifted me throughout my educational and career journey. I am ready to pay it forward to my community.”

“I am a product of all the support

that Watsonville gifted me...”

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services 115 Brennan Street Watsonville, CA 95076

Non-profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDWatsonville, CA

Permit #5

Return Service Requested

Our home is your home! Tour our homes and

programs in Watsonville!Schedule your 1-hour

tour now!831.728.5649

35 1983-2018

CELEBRATING YEARS

DID YOU KNOW...PVSS serves single moms

with kids, single dads with kids, and two-parent

households!

2017-2018 Fiscal Year

14 households reunited with their children

3 families purchased a home

24,448 days of safe shelter and transitional housing

The highest saving family in our Transitional Program

saved $28,610 on their path to permanent housing.

35 Years of Changing Lives...

Appreciation PartyPlease Join Us to Celebrate oUr 35th anniversary!

Friday, September 21st OR

Friday, September 28th

RSVP to Oana at 831.728.5649 x107

Without you, our families wouldn’t have

a safe place to call home.

THANK YOU!

1990

2018 2018

1988

SHELTERTO HOME

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services’2nd Annual Fall Benefit Dinner

YOU DON’T WANT

TO MISSTHIS

Go to our website on August 1st to get the details and purchase tickets!www.pvshelter.org

Coming in November!

Richard & Mary Solari Charitable TrustLakeside Organic Gardens

Granite ConstructionGranite Construction Employees

Palo Alto Medical FoundationOw Family Properties

GraniterockS. Martinelli & CompanyBay Federal Credit Union

Gloria Huizar, AllstateSoroptimist International of Watsonville

California Giant Berry FarmsJoan S. Lane

C & N TractorsDiane & Donald Cooley

Fatima’s Fina JewelryFirst Baptist Church Watsonville

Freedom HeatingThomas P. House, Attorney at Law

Imura Japanese Restaurant MBS Business Systems

McSherry & Hudson InsuranceNatividad Medical FoundationRocky and Judy Franich Fund

Santa Cruz Community Credit UnionSanta Cruz County Bank

Kirk & Carol SchmidtJustina Vega

Haro, Kasunich & AssociatesAfter School

Branciforte Auto RepairOaktree Property Management

Sambrailo PackagingJim Roberts

Joan & Joe AkersAnniegalss

Jane & Peter BarrBayview Service & Operations

Central Electric Company

Dennis Eguchi D.D.S.William & Joan Dorey

Luann Lauesen, Edward JonesKimberly FermRebecca Garcia

Greenwaste RecoveryJanet Mahoney and James Mikus

Marinovich Cold StorageJohn & Megan MartinelliMehl’s Colonial Chapel

Shirley OwScurich Insurance

TargetTaylor Office City

Watsonville Coast ProduceCalifornia Pajarosa FloralWatsonville Computers

Gina ColeCommunity Printers

Pajaro Valley PrintingTri County Trophy & Engraving

Nick TraulsenLindsay Wiser

Fleet FeetCrystal Springs

Driscoll’sSun Valley Berries

D’La Colmena Market & CateringEl Primo Produce

Olga Fuentes, Hola WatsonvilleMav’Ricks, Santa Cruz Warriors

City of WatsonvilleRegister Pajaronian

Watsonville Parks & Community ServicesWatsonville Public Works & Utilities

Watsonville Fire DepartmentCadets, Watsonville Police Department

Moreland Notre Dame SchoolGreen Valley Christian Center

Judite & Joe ZorraSanta Cruz Track Club

Mark McConnellFreedom Media

DJ Mike MarquezArt & Sports

And more than 100 volunteers!

You are the difference! Thank you for standing with

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services in ending family homelessness.