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Grand Opening - Vista Monterey

Grand Opening - Vista Monterey“Active Residents” not “Senior Citizens” - that’s what Councilmember José Huizar learned is the correct term for residents moving into NEW’s recently opened Vista Monterey, a 48 unit affordable housing complex in El Sereno, just northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

The Vista Monterey Grand Opening - New Economics for Women

On the morning of September 13, 2007, in a festive ribbon cutting ceremony, José Huizar Councilmember, 14th District; Bea Stotzer, Board President of NEW; Maggie Cervantes, Executive Director of NEW; Cecilia V. Estolana, CEO of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA); and Mercedes Marquez of the Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) all spoke of their pride in working together to make Vista Monterey a reality. Monica Garcia, Los Angeles Unified School District Board President, attended the event to meet and welcome her new neighbors.

Maria Reyes describes the opening of Vista Monterey as a dream come true.

Capturing the sentiments of many residents, Maria Reyes described moving into her beautiful new apartment as “a dream come true.” Mariachis, fresh fruit juices and a tasty selection of empanadas contributed to the overall festive atmosphere.

Applications are still being accepted from “active residents” 55 years of age and over.

Celebrating the Legacy of Family

Highlights of 2006 La Posada
Honorees and their children from 2006 La Posada
Honorees and their children

Each year we support NEW’s La Posada home for teen single mothers by hosting a holiday reception to highlight and honor mothers who raised some of our most remarkable, bright and committed business and community leaders.

On December 5, 2006 when we celebrated the “Legacy of the Family” at the beautiful Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. We had the privilege of meeting and hearing the inspiring stories of:

Señora Maria Luisa Acosta , mother of Luisa Acosta-Franco, Asst. V.P., Farmers Insurance
Señora Helen Kennard, mother of Lydia Kennard, Executive Director, Los Angeles World Airports; Gail Kennard, President, Kennard Design Group; and William Kennard, Former Chairman, U.S. Federal Communications Commission
Señora Myrna Schmidt Villanueva, mother of Danny Villanueva Jr., President , RC Fontis and James Villanueva
 

Their struggles and sacrifices, economic and social hardships, and above all, their devotion to their families inspired all of us to consider the miracles a mother’s love can create. Not only did they touch the hearts of everyone present, they also conveyed an important message that is central to La Posada: The impact of a mother cannot be overestimated. It’s the ripple effect. Her influence extends to her children and through her children to the next generation.

Helen Kennard and Children
Helen Kennard and Children

Honoree: Mrs. Helen Kennard
Let us look to shining example set by Mrs. Helen Kennard. She was the granddaughter of slaves and her parents came to Tulare, California and opened the first restaurant between Southern and Northern California that served both Hispanic and African Americans.  This early multi-cultural experience created the setting for her own life as she and her siblings attended college at UC Berkeley and graduated with honors.  At that time, very few African-American students attended much less graduated college.  Helen Kennard raised her children with strong values and especially the value of respect for fellow human beings, no matter your race or background.   She raised extraordinarily gifted children who went on to distinguish themselves in public service as leaders.

The advice she shares with the young mothers at La Posada?


-No matter how hard it seems, you will find the strength to keep going.
-Your children will follow your example, so set a good example.
-Teach your children to work hard, but find time to dream.

At NEW, we believe that behind every great person stands a woman whose immeasurable loyalty, understanding, and support provides the strongest foundation of success and public service. 
We are humbled by the sacrifices of mothers and fathers who care so much for their children. It is always a wonderful reminder of why our work means so much!

Major Highlight
Grand Opening of Tierra del Sol and NEW Academy's Canoga Park Charter School

We celebrated our Grand Opening of Tierra del Sol and NEW Academy's Canoga Park Charter School with 119 units of affordable housing with apartments ranging from one to five bedrooms. Housing is located adjacent to the K-5 charter school featuring 24 new classrooms, gym, library and other amenities. A state of the art Community Center is also under construction. Located in Canoga Park, more than 1,000 families applied for the 119 apartments, illustrating the high demand for affordable, safe housing.

Tierra Del Sol is already creating some buzz. As a result of our innovative blend of community services at Tierra, the California Redevelopment Association recognized NEW for "creative development that addresses the affordable housing shortage in Los Angeles as well as overcrowding of local schools in a low-income community."
 
NEW Programs

Programs for NEW Residents
and the local community:

A. Financial Literacy
    1. First-Time Homebuyers
    2. Home Preservation
    3. Individual Development Accounts
    4. Smart Consumer Program
B. Health Center/Wellness
C. Healthy Families/Medi-Cal
D. Para Mi Futuro/For My Future Family
     Development Network

E. NEWConnect Business Growth Center
F. La Posada

Programs for Residents only:

G. Mariposa Case Management
H. Learning Centers

Overview

Overcoming poverty and achieving family and personal prosperity are broad goals. NEW implements a holistic approach to a wide range of family needs – addressing and fulfilling the most basic to the most visionary. From finding a stable, warm and safe place to live to owning a home or successful business, NEW families come to realize their dreams and to courageously create and pursue new dreams.

NEW residents and their neighbors in the local community are encouraged to pursue new knowledge by participating in the resources offered by NEW. These programs include Financial Literacy, Wellness/Healthy Families, Para Mi Futuro/For My Future Family Development Network, La Posada, Mariposa Case Management and after-school Learning Centers.

Regardless of whether families choose to use a range of services or only one or two, their participation and success is a tribute to their dedication to the prosperity of their families.

A selected number of small, formerly home-based businesses have the opportunity to grow stronger and more successful by becoming members of the NEWConnect Business Growth Center. Expanding our support of entrepreneurial ventures is yet another way for NEW to invest in the overall economic prosperity of working women and men.

A) Financial Literacy

NEW offers the following
Financial Literacy programs

   • First Time Homebuyer Program /
     Pre Purchase
   • Home Preservation
   • Individual Development Account (IDA)
     Program/Individual Development
     and Empowerment Account (IDEA)
   • Smart Consumer Program
     – only for residents of NEW apartments

Home Ownership
NEW provides full-cycle homeownership services to help low and moderate income households to become and remain successful homeowners.

1. First Time Homebuyer / Pre-Purchase

Download Full Presentation “Assistance Programs for First-Time Buyers” From the Southern California Home Buyer’s Fair 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center April 12-13, 2008.
Download the Presentation

Many people know that buying a home is one of the best investments to make, but feel intimidated by the high cost of housing in Los Angeles. What is not widely known is that you can purchase a home for as little as 1%-3% down and that you can receive $100,000+ for down payment assistance for first time homebuyers (income restrictions may apply) through federal, state, city and county programs.

NEW is a HUD, Fannie Mae, City and County of Los Angeles certified homeownership counseling agency. NEW provides full support, advocating on our clients’ behalf, until they move into their new homes. Our bi-lingual homebuyer counselors are well-versed in what money is available from government programs to assist first-time homebuyers, have longstanding relationships with trustworthy loan officers and realtors, and provide tools to help repair credit if necessary.

NEW’s Homebuyer Program assists all families, including low and moderate income families, throughout the process of buying a home by offering one-on-one counseling and educational workshops. There is a $20 charge for ordering a credit report and pre-registration is required for workshops.

Individual Counseling Covers:
   • Personal credit & debt review
   • Budget & money management
   • A customized action plan
     toward homeownership
   • Assess what mortgage payments
     clients can afford
   • Loan packaging with first-time
     homebuyer’s assistance program
     ($100,000+ down payment)
   • Lender or agent referral (if qualified)

Homebuyer Education Workshops

NEW is certified by both the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County to provide English and Spanish homebuyer education workshops. Attendance at a workshop is a prerequisite for first time homebuyer assistance programs.

Los Angeles County requires an 8 hour homebuyer education workshop for first-time homebuyers who are accessing first-time homebuyer’s subsidy programs and purchasing in the county of Los Angeles to put 3% down payment.

8 Hour Workshop, Session 1
   • Assess readiness to buy a home
   • The home buying process
   • Budgeting
   • Credit
   • Insurance & property taxes
   • Real estate & lending terms
   • Interest rates
   • Loan products on the market
   • First time homebuyer assistance
      programs ($100.000+ for down payment)

The City of Los Angeles requires a 12 hour homebuyer education workshop for first-time homebuyers who are accessing first-time homebuyer’s subsidy programs and purchasing in the city of Los Angeles to put 1% down payment.

4 Hour Workshop, Session 2
   • Home maintenance
   • Predatory lending
   • Foreclosure prevention

2008 Class Schedule

Este es el Horario de 2008

2. Home Preservation/After Purchase

NEW is committed to keeping families in their homes. Through our Home Preservation program, NEW offers one-on-one counseling and workshops designed to protect a family’s most valuable asset, their home. Financial tough times may occur during the course of homeownership and put some families in jeopardy of foreclosure. NEW advises that the best way to avoid foreclosure is to budget and plan for emergencies. Post purchase counseling provides general suggestions and ideas on how you can prepare for and work through the tough times.
NEW’s home preservation counselors analyze each family’s individual situation, identifies resources to address the situation, develops a plan for addressing individual issues and identifies options for preventing home foreclosure.
NEW can provide early delinquency intervention, budgeting, credit recovery, anti-predatory lending, lender negotiations on the client’s behalf, refinancing and foreclosure prevention. NEW teaches what to do when a family falls behind in mortgage payments and notices begin to show up from the lender.

Individual Counseling covers:
   • Developing a personal budget designed
     to meet the costs of homeownership.
   • Negotiating a repayment plan with
     lenders to bring a mortgage current.
   • Under certain circumstances, NEW
     may also be able to negotiate with
     lenders an agreement that includes an
     extension of the mortgage or a decrease
     in the interest rate to help clients’ meet
     mortgage obligations.
   • When client are unable to retain their
     home, NEW work with the client and
     their lender to prevent foreclosure, if
     possible, by negotiating a sale of the
     property or a deed-in-lieu of
     foreclosure(short sale), helping to
     you keep clients’ credit in better standing.

Home Preservation Education
Workshops covers:

   • Foreclosure Prevention
   • Financial Literacy for Homeowners –
     budgeting, savings and credit
   • Understanding home equity
     and when to refinance
   • Predatory lending
   • Home maintenance
   • Energy efficiency

3. Individual Development Account (IDA)
United Way Program

NEW has partnered with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles to help low income individuals and families build assets in one of the three areas: homeownership, post-secondary education and microenterprise businesses. Through financial literacy and asset specific education training, participants will be prepared to either purchase a home, attend college and start or expand a business. As part of the program, individuals must save money every month and funds are matched to provide incentive to achieve their goal in a specific asset. You must qualify for this program.

Accepted applicants agree to the following:
   • Save a specific monthly amount in a
     specific bank account for either
     18, 24 or 36 months
   • Complete 10 hours in financial literacy,
     budgeting and money management
   • Complete 8 hours in your specific asset:
       Homeownership
       Post-Secondary
       Education
       Microenterprise
   • Individual follow-up appointments
   • Attend quarterly Saver's Club meetings.

United Way IDA Match for Homeownership
Participant saves $2667, United Way will give $4000

United Way IDA Match for Post-Secondary Education
Participant saves $2000, United Way will give $3000

United Way IDA Match for Microenterprise
Participant saves $2000, United Way will give $3000

For more information, please call Nelson Hildago, IDA Coordinator at 213-483-2060 ext. 107 or email nhildago@neworg.us.

California Bank & Trust Individual
Development Economic Account (IDEA)

NEW has partnered with the California Bank & Trust to assist low income individuals and families to save for the purchase of their first home. This matched money will be given if the first mortgage is held by California Bank & Trust and can be used for downpayment assistance and closing costs.

California Bank & Trust IDEA Match for First-Time Homebuyers
Participant saves $5000, California Bank & Trust Program will give $15,000

Accepted applicants agree to the following:
   • Save specific monthly amount in
     specific bank account for 10 months
   • Complete an 8 hour
     Homeownership workshop
   • Individual follow-up appointments

For more information, please call Nelson Hildago, IDEA Coordinator at 213-483-2060 ext. 107 or email nhildago@neworg.us.

4. Smart Consumer Program

The Smart Consumer Program offers workshops on money management and handling family’s finances. The goal is to educate consumers to develop good spending and saving habits, use credit wisely and develop a plan to reach your financial goals. Smart Consumer participants are provided with practical tools to help track expenses, stick to a reasonable budget, read a credit report, repair bad credit, and understand credit card solicitations and loan offers.

A NEW Resident shares her experiences...
A resident of La Villa Mariposa and IDA participant recalled a phrase that she heard at the Smart Consumer workshop: “Do not spend more money than you need to.” She mentioned that this phrase stuck in her mind even though she did not see how it applied to her. After reviewing her expenses and budget she realized where she could reduce her expenses.

As a result she has cut her expenses by $300 a month!

Currently, the Smart Consumer Program services are available to NEW residents and targeted groups from the general public. For more information about the Smart Consumer Program, contact Marlene Alvarez, Program Coordinator, at (213) 483-2060 ext. 105 or send email to marlene.alvarez@neworg.us.

B) Health Center/Wellness

NEW's Wellness Programs outreach to the community

NEW makes medical services convenient and accessible at the Arroyo Vista Family Health Center located in the New Economics for Women Prosperity Center.

NEW’s Wellness Programs outreach to the community to instruct families and individuals about their rights to affordable health care and insurance. Through our wellness program we strive to make better parents and healthier children. NEW currently offers the Healthy Familes/Medi-Cal Outreach and Enrollment Program.

C) Healthy Families/Medi-Cal

The focus of the Healthy Families/Medi-Cal program is to remove the roadblocks that stand between families with eligible children and the health coverage their children desperately need. A lack of information about available programs, confusion about eligibility, lengthy or complicated application procedures, inaccessible enrollment sites, and the reluctance on the part of many families to participate in state programs keep many eligible children without medical coverage. NEW works to reduce the number of medically uninsured children in and around the East Los Angeles, Central Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley communities.
.
We have been fortunate in being able to participate in and be a part of the Los Angeles Access to Health Coverage Coalition, collaborating with various community health clinics, child care centers, community action agencies, and programs that offer recreation. This opportunity has allowed us to network with established institutions that have a longstanding interest in children’s health, and in turn expanded our outreach efforts while providing ongoing growth and development to our client services.

Our current association with Altamed Medical Center, Arroyo Vista Family Health Center, CARECEN, Central City Neighborhood Partners, The Los Angeles Unified School District, and The Promotora and Community Health Worker Network has allowed us to expand our outreach activities, as well as refer participants to other services, such a: family counseling, adult education, financial literacy classes, job training, food and shelter assistance, and insurance plans geared toward adults and senior citizens.

For enrollment information for Healthy Families or Medi-Cal, please contact NEW’s Health Outreach Worker, Fabricio Castillo at (213) 483-2060 ext. 207 or Christina Gonzalez at 213-483-2060 ext. 208.

D. Para Mi Futuro/For My Future Family Development Network

The Family Development Network Para Mi Futuro/For My Future Program was organized to efficiently and effectively match Los Angeles residents with the right social service programs to meet their needs. Trained staff members assess client needs and make the appropriate referrals at a central intake location near downtown Los Angeles.

New Economics for Women is the lead agency among 6 non-profit organizations contracted by the City of Los Angeles Community Development Department to comprise The Family Development Network Para Mi Futuro/For My Future Program. The Program is committed to moving participants from poverty to self-sufficiency through comprehensive case management and youth advocacy.

Para Mi Futuro/For My Future Partners

CARECEN – Central American Resource Center
Immigration and legal representation.
(213) 385-7800

CCNP – Central City Neighborhood Partners
Youth enrichment and employment.
(213) 482-8618

Clinica Msr. Oscar Romero Full service health and dental clinic.
(213) 201-2762

El Centro del Pueblo
Youth leadership, gang intervention,
employment training and placement.
(213) 483-6335

Inner City Law Center
Legal advice relating to government benefits.
(213) 891-2880

Sunrise Community Counseling Center
Substance abuse education, prevention &
counseling; domestic violence counseling &
prevention; mental health & psychosocial ed
(213) 207-2770

Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)

In 2002 FDN received additional money through the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), designed to reduce the high incidences of collisions and traffic related injuries on local streets and freeways. Statistics indicate that 80% of child restraints are misused and 1 in 8 cyclist could have prevented brain injuries if the cyclist was wearing a helmet. To ensure families do not become part of the statistics, the FDN actively educates and engages families on the proper usage of child restraints, helmets, and safety gear. Pedestrian Safety; Bicycle Safety; Traffic Law Compliances; Child Safety; Vouchers to receive car seats; helmets and padding; Participation in traffic safety related promotions
For more information regarding Para Mi Futuro/For My Future Services, please call us at: (213)202-5396 and (213) 202-5397.

E. NEWConnect Business Growth Center

NEWConnect Business Growth Center is designed to empower minority and women owned businesses in the Los Angeles Community. NEWConnect fills an unmet need in the community by providing affordable office rental space with supplemental educational and technical resources to foster business expansion and job creation. NEWConnect opened December 2005 with the capacity to house 8 -10 businesses within 6,500 square feet of flexible office space.

F. La Posada
New Economics for Women - A Visit to La Posada
A visit to La Posada:
Click here to watch.

La Posada is a transitional home for single mothers aged 16 - 24. The beautifully refurbished 1940s hotel in the Central City/Westlake area of downtown Los Angeles houses up to 60 single mothers and their children in single apartments with communal meal area, 24 hour security, and on-site child care. The goal of the holistic case management program established for every mother and child is to improve her financial, emotional, and physical well-being. The Manager of Family Services assigned to each mother educates, supports, and provides access to resources and services necessary for them to achieve financial independence and familial stability. Each mother enters a social contract upon moving in to La Posada; their personalized contract provides the structure, consistency, and goal orientation many of these young women have lacked in their lives. By providing a safe and clean environment and raising the expectations of the mothers, La Posada makes a difference in the lives and dreams of two generations.

La Posada truly produces some remarkable outcomes. Typically, over half the women receive their high school diplomas, while a significant number enroll in higher education programs.
For more information about La Posada please call (213)483-2058

Wendy left an abusive relationship with her child's father and arrived at La Posada in 2002. Her main goal was to provide a better life for her son. Having always dreamt of becoming a nurse, Wendy finally found the support she needed to realize that dream. She knew it would be difficult to get through school and care for her son but with the help of her Manager of Family Services at La Posada she was able to tap into the resources necessary to realize them. Wendy left La Posada at the end of 2003 with her vocational nurse's license making $37,000 a year. She continues to advance through her nursing career and is putting her son through private school.

G. Mariposa Program

The Mariposa Program is a comprehensive case management program. NEW’s Managers of Family Services (MOFS) partner with residents to identify their educational and economic goals—their dreams—for the time they spend as residents in any one of NEW’s housing complexes.

Many families enter the Mariposa program without ever having taken the opportunity to develop dreams for themselves, often limited by economic circumstances and a dim view of future possibilities. Goal development for each family varies. The MOFS help to identify these goals and the barriers that can hinder their achievement. Families can then develop a comprehensive plan of action. With this support system, families can move from dependency on government subsidy to economic empowerment and achieving their own personal goals for success.

H. Learning Centers

NEW's Learning Center Example

The Learning Centers are a core foundation for NEW’s success in working with families. Since two-thirds (2/3) of our housing residents are children, the overall success of each family depends on the education of our resident children. The Learning Centers foster personal and social development as well as promote higher academic achievement.

Staff, instructors and tutors provide hands-on activities that promote self-esteem, cultural pride, personal and social development, and academic achievement. This holistic approach is consistent with NEW’s core philosophy and has led to improved academic performance and increased knowledge about opportunities for higher education.

Schools in the local area, though improving, still rank among the lowest 10% under the Los Angeles Unified School District. In addition, overcrowded living conditions exist with little open space or safe places for children to study and congregate. NEW’s Learning Centers have served as an academic haven for students to complete their homework and participate in recreational and cultural activities and field trips.

The Learning Centers operate five days a week, Monday through Friday from 3:00-7:00 pm, for approximately 49 weeks out of the year, serving approximately 120 students daily across seven sites. Beyond tutoring and homework assistance, Learning Center programs have grown tremendously to include new partnerships with the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Kraft Foods, and California State University, Los Angeles. Instructors facilitate other curricular and extracurricular activities that promote cultural enrichment, artistic ability, creative writing, educational field trips, health awareness classes, and physical development, as well as increase math and reading skills.

 

 

NEW Prosperity Center
NEWConnect Business Growth Center


Arroyo Vista Family Health Center
NEWConnect Business Growth Center
Center for Economic Literacy

NEWConnect Business Growth Center is designed to empower minority and women owned businesses in the Los Angeles Community. Through the facilitation of educational and technical resources we look to stimulate the economy by creating business expansion and job creation.

The NEW Economics for Women Prosperity Center is located on the Loma property across the lawn from the "temporary" trailers that served as the NEW administrative offices for many years.

The Prosperity Center now houses the NEW administrative offices on the top floor, Arroyo Vista Family Health Center on the first floor, and NEWConnect Business Growth Center, on the ground floor alongside the Center for Economic Literacy.

Arroyo Vista Family Health Center

Arroyo Vista Family Health Center provides comprehensive healthcare services for children and adults. The bilingual doctors, nurses and staff are dedicated to caring for their patients and will provide service to all, regardless of ability to pay.

The Arroyo Vista Family Health Center opened its doors in the NEW Prosperity Center in November, 2007 but has been serving health care needs in Los Angeles since 1981. In addition to its offices at the NEW Prosperity Center, Arroyo Vista operates clinics in Highland Park, Lincoln Heights and El Sereno. Arroyo Vista is licensed by the State of California Department of Health Services.

Center for Economic Literacy

Economic Literacy is a fundamental and essential step to creating wealth for individuals and families. Many families have the same dreams: a secure and stable home, a better quality of life, and excellent education for their children.

NEW’s Center for Economic Literacy offers four vital programs: First-Time Homebuyers, Home Preservation, Individual Development Accounts and Smart Consumer. These programs help families re-think their spending and saving habits and take steps toward a better financial future. NEW’s workshops and one-on-one counseling services are bilingual and open to the public.

Community Relationships and Affiliations

LA Minority
Business Development Center at USC
  www.losangelesmbec.org/
  Provides consulting services, access to market opportunities, business financing and advanced business training. As a general rule, in order to qualify for their services, you must be a minority-owned business with over $500,000 in revenue.
   
Public Counsel
  http://www.publiccounsel.org/
  Businesses that qualify may be eligible for free business services including legal structure, contracts, leases and other agreements.
   
Southern California Minority Business Development Council
  http://www.scmbdc.org/
  Provides services to minority-owned businesses including certification, access to capital, referrals, workshops and networking.
   
PACE Business Development Center
  www.pacela.org
  Facilitates the start-up and expansion of businesses in Los Angeles through low-cost business training, capital acquisition, market development and technical assistance.
   
National Latina Business Women’s Association
  www.nlbwa-la.org/
  Membership organization that helps Latina business owners develop their business and professional skills through business referrals and networking events.
   
Pacific Coast Regional Development Corporation
  www.pcrcorp.org/
  PCR provides financial, educational and consulting services to small business owners.