When COVID-19 struck, the homeless shelters were required to reduce their population by 75%, displacing many unhoused persons onto the streets, with no place to sleep.  In concert with All Saints’ values of Radical Inclusion and Courageous Justice, we created the Safe Haven Bridge to Housing.

The program was developed in partnership with Union Station Homeless Services, and follows the “housing first” model of ameliorating the conditions of homelessness. Through the program, twelve individuals are provided with a safe, interim place to sleep and store essential items, until they can find permanent housing. Each participant is connected to a caseworker and housing advocate to gain access to medical, mental health, and other resources, as well as to navigate the process towards permanent sustained housing.

Meeting Time: The committee meets weekly to address issues and provide guidance.

Ministry Leader:  Erica S Tamblyn
Rev Sally Howard
Gloria Antall
Marilyn Coffman
Rise Worthy Deamer
Max Molina
Kimberly Farnham
Rev Alfredo Feregrino
Sharyn Delahousie
Emily Aguirre, Union Station
Shawn Morrissey, Union Station

FAQ on Safe Haven to Bridge Housing

How did we decide to host the Safe Haven Bridge to Housing community on our campus?

In pre-COVID times, although you may not have seen them, there were always unhoused people sleeping on the All Saints Campus. You might recognize some of these people because you might have seen them at the Sunday Food table.

When COVID struck, the homeless shelters were required to reduce their population by 75%. Many unhoused persons were put out into the streets, with no place to sleep, and found a place at All Saints. Therefore, we have created a community which wants to be part of All Saints, a community which has made the All Saints campus its temporary home.  They are members of our community, and we hope that they will continue to be with us, even after permanent sustained housing is offered.

In concert with All Saints’ values of Radical Inclusion and Courageous Justice, we are providing a bridge to these folks with a safe, interim place to sleep and feel safe until they can find permanent housing. This follows the “housing first” model of ameliorating the conditions of homelessness. Union Station has a 97% success rate with the housing first model in placing people in permanent sustained housing. Two people in our program have been placed so far, with a third to be placed soon.

The formation of this community has been done with support from various people and agencies:

  • Union Station
  • Security personnel
  • Parishioner food and drink support
  • Pasadena Community Foundation
  • Social workers
  • Housing navigators
  • HOPE team
  • Approval by the Vestry
  • Pastoral care team
What is the current status of our plan?

Twelve participants have been selected, using the following criteria:

  • Commitment to work with an outreach worker, care coordinator, housing navigator, and others from Union Station Homeless Services and LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
  • Requirement to sign an 18-point covenant, which includes, but is not limited to:
    • No drugs
    • No smoking
    • No alcohol
    • No weapons within a 1/2 mile radius of campus: Good neighbor policy

The campus has been cleaned and is power-washed on a regular basis.  For the time being, the south (chapel side) of the campus is designated as a non-public space.

Union Station has applied to the City of Pasadena for a grant that would fund a caseworker to work with participants at All Saints Church and First United Methodist Church, and we are hopeful that this will be approved.

Bicycle lockers have been installed in Mike’s old parking space, to the west of the OCC trailer.

We continue to work with the Pasadena Hope team, Pasadena Police Department, and the Pasadena Fire Department to maintain a safe campus.

We are working closely with the city to obtain a conditional use permit.

How are we keeping the participants safe?
  •     Each participant was issued an ID card.
  •     The community self-polices and works in conjunction with our security provider.
How are we keeping the church property safe?

Currently we have a relationship with a security company that provides varying levels of service. We have installed security cameras. Any reported damages are repaired, working with our various contractors.

Who paid for the lockers and other program expenses?

We were fortunate to receive a $25,000 grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation to purchase the lockers. We have also received a $25,000 gift from a non-parishioner.

What does the broader community think about the Safe Haven to Bridge Housing Program?

The First United Methodist Church has decided to join us in the Safe Haven to Bridge Program.

Upcoming Events

When COVID-19 struck, the homeless shelters were required to reduce their population by 75%, displacing many unhoused persons onto the streets, with no place to sleep.  In concert with All Saints’ values of Radical Inclusion and Courageous Justice, we created the Safe Haven Bridge to Housing.

The program was developed in partnership with Union Station Homeless Services, and follows the “housing first” model of ameliorating the conditions of homelessness. Through the program, twelve individuals are provided with a safe, interim place to sleep and store essential items, until they can find permanent housing. Each participant is connected to a caseworker and housing advocate to gain access to medical, mental health, and other resources, as well as to navigate the process towards permanent sustained housing.

Meeting Time: The committee meets weekly to address issues and provide guidance.

Ministry Leader:  Erica S Tamblyn
Rev Sally Howard
Gloria Antall
Marilyn Coffman
Rise Worthy Deamer
Max Molina
Kimberly Farnham
Rev Alfredo Feregrino
Sharyn Delahousie
Emily Aguirre, Union Station
Shawn Morrissey, Union Station

FAQ on Safe Haven to Bridge Housing

How did we decide to host the Safe Haven Bridge to Housing community on our campus?

In pre-COVID times, although you may not have seen them, there were always unhoused people sleeping on the All Saints Campus. You might recognize some of these people because you might have seen them at the Sunday Food table.

When COVID struck, the homeless shelters were required to reduce their population by 75%. Many unhoused persons were put out into the streets, with no place to sleep, and found a place at All Saints. Therefore, we have created a community which wants to be part of All Saints, a community which has made the All Saints campus its temporary home.  They are members of our community, and we hope that they will continue to be with us, even after permanent sustained housing is offered.

In concert with All Saints’ values of Radical Inclusion and Courageous Justice, we are providing a bridge to these folks with a safe, interim place to sleep and feel safe until they can find permanent housing. This follows the “housing first” model of ameliorating the conditions of homelessness. Union Station has a 97% success rate with the housing first model in placing people in permanent sustained housing. Two people in our program have been placed so far, with a third to be placed soon.

The formation of this community has been done with support from various people and agencies:

  • Union Station
  • Security personnel
  • Parishioner food and drink support
  • Pasadena Community Foundation
  • Social workers
  • Housing navigators
  • HOPE team
  • Approval by the Vestry
  • Pastoral care team
What is the current status of our plan?

Twelve participants have been selected, using the following criteria:

  • Commitment to work with an outreach worker, care coordinator, housing navigator, and others from Union Station Homeless Services and LAHSA (Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
  • Requirement to sign an 18-point covenant, which includes, but is not limited to:
    • No drugs
    • No smoking
    • No alcohol
    • No weapons within a 1/2 mile radius of campus: Good neighbor policy

The campus has been cleaned and is power-washed on a regular basis.  For the time being, the south (chapel side) of the campus is designated as a non-public space.

Union Station has applied to the City of Pasadena for a grant that would fund a caseworker to work with participants at All Saints Church and First United Methodist Church, and we are hopeful that this will be approved.

Bicycle lockers have been installed in Mike’s old parking space, to the west of the OCC trailer.

We continue to work with the Pasadena Hope team, Pasadena Police Department, and the Pasadena Fire Department to maintain a safe campus.

We are working closely with the city to obtain a conditional use permit.

How are we keeping the participants safe?
  •     Each participant was issued an ID card.
  •     The community self-polices and works in conjunction with our security provider.
How are we keeping the church property safe?

Currently we have a relationship with a security company that provides varying levels of service. We have installed security cameras. Any reported damages are repaired, working with our various contractors.

Who paid for the lockers and other program expenses?

We were fortunate to receive a $25,000 grant from the Pasadena Community Foundation to purchase the lockers. We have also received a $25,000 gift from a non-parishioner.

What does the broader community think about the Safe Haven to Bridge Housing Program?

The First United Methodist Church has decided to join us in the Safe Haven to Bridge Program.

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