March News from People’s Self-Help Housing

eNews | March 2021

Equipment for a beautiful community garden was provided during the construction for Rolling Hills II in Templeton. This month a local organization volunteered their time and labor to get the garden up and running for our residents to enjoy!
Dear Friend,
As we turn a seasonal corner, and start to shed the pandemic gloom, spring fever is in the air throughout all the communities we serve along the Central Coast. Spirits are lifting, economic relief is hitting mail boxes, and nature is blossoming all around.

This past week was dominated by the American Rescue Plan Act – there is much good news there, and multiple benefits will accrue to many of our residents. Direct stimulus checks will help make up for reduced incomes, lost jobs, and to assist those raising families. An upside of living through this past year has been seeing our existing, and new stakeholders, all stepping up their support to meet these increased needs. What a testament to people helping people!

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Making Her MarkAlycia Rasmussen is making history as the first student from the Camino Scholars program to reach Ph.D level studies!

Alycia, a student from the PSHH Camino Scholars program, has accepted admission to University of California, Davis to pursue her Ph.D in Microbiology. She has also been awarded a UC Davis Microbiology Graduate Group Fellowship!

To learn more about her educational journey, check out Alycia’s recent feature on our YouTube channel: Camino Scholars Conversations!

Sharing and Supporting
When your stimulus check arrives, if your current need isn’t critical, consider donating part or all to the Resident Assistance Fund.

This fund provides direct financial support to PSHH residents for medical, food, and utility emergencies. Even with brighter days hopefully ahead, COVID-19 continues to affect the most vulnerable.  A gift to this fund will allow us, in the most flexible and effective way, to support any of our residents who find themselves in urgent need.

Heath House: Open Now!
Rehab is complete at the historic Heath House in Santa Barbara! Seven formerly homeless women are now safe and supported at our newest affordable housing property. Take a look at the completed rehabilitation of this one-of-a-kind home:
Celebrating 25 Years!
This month, our extraordinary Vice President of Home Ownership, Sheryl Flores, is celebrating 25 years with People’s Self-Help Housing!

Sheryl has dedicated a quarter of a century of her professional career to helping individuals across the central coast achieve their dreams of home ownership. On behalf of the thousands of people who have benefited from her expertise, we congratulate her on this Silver Anniversary and thank Sheryl for her dedicated service!

Click here to send your congratulations to Sheryl!

Creating a Legacy
The Legacy Circle recognizes our cherished planned givers. The gifts that will come from their estates, will have a profound, and lasting impact on generations of PSHH residents.

Listen to Sharon Turner, long-time PSHH supporter, as she discusses her deeply personal reasons for participating in the Legacy Circle. If you would like to support our mission in this impactful way, please contact us at giving@pshhc.org.

A Lifetime Achievement
In recognition of Women’s History Month, The Santa Barbara County Commission for Women honored six women from across the county, noting their commitment to service and dedication to the community’s needs. Receiving the honor for the 3rd District was PSHH’s Director of Special Programs Alejandra Mahoney.Alejandra previously served as the Director of Education where she led the Camino Scholars program, which consists of K-8, College Club, CELEBRE, and adult education programming. When presenting the award, Supervisor Joan Hartmann called Camino Scholars “a model for the rest of the country to follow in supporting students’ success in graduating high school and attending college.”

“There is so much that has been done but so much left to do,” Mahoney said, “So here’s to the workers, immigrant women, my sisters, the students, and their mothers who are resilient and strong and work together to form amazing communities all through Santa Barbara County.”

Click here to send your congratulations to Alejandra!

March Partnerships
Thank you to all our incredible partners who have helped support our mission this month:

  • Foundation of Ventura County Credit Union – $2,000 in support of the Camino Scholars program
  • City of Ventura – $4,200 for homelessness prevention services
  • Bank of the Sierra – $5,000 in support of the Camino Scholars program
  • Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo – $10,000 in support of CELEBRE
  • Neighborworks America – $554,500 in general support
During COVID-19 closures, contact us with inquiries at (805) 781-3088 or info@pshhc.org. For property contact information, visit pshhc.org/looking-for-housing.