I know of Ascencia's wonderful work through a friend who has been an enthusiastic volunteer, supporter and contributor to this organization for many years. On several occasions she has contacted me and others for help collecting donations of basic furnishings and household items for families who have been provided transitional housing through Ascencia.
On a monthly basis, our company sponsors a dinner for the residents of Ascencia (homeless shelter). We make a very healthy dinner. We also sit and eat with the residents. This allows us to really get to know them and vice-versa. This is a great organization!
Ascencia is a place for those people that want support and care but want to get back their feet. The staff and volunteers at Ascencia are very supportive of these goals and work individually with each person to restore their smiles and humanity. They connect with each person to learn about each individual need and work together to plan a path to achieve these goals. I volunteer my time for guest chef and hair stylist. I have witnessed the change in a person who begins to believe in himself through the help and kindness of the volunteers and staff. I find my time at Ascencia very rewarding and grounding. I get to see everyone without ego or attitude. I get to see the true human spirit come through those people we are able to help with either a hot meal or a nice haircut.
Our group has been volunteering at Ascencia for 5 years now. During this time period, we have seen so many individuals and families it has helped, in the hundreds perhaps even in the thousands. It is a great non-profit because it continuously strives to improve the living conditions of the clients in the facility. It moved to a new building 2 years ago to better accommodate the needs of the residents providing better sleeping quarters, cleaner surroundings, more bathrooms, state of the art kitchen where us "Guest Chefs" enjoy preparing meals, computers for job search. There's even a room where children get tutored and study. Even pets of the homeless clients are welcome, guide dogs and even cats. All in a safe, secure environment. This is one of the best managed if not the best shelter I have seen and am happy to be a part of. - A Blanco
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When I first came to Ascencia I was immediately impressed by the setup of the shelter. It was very organized and yet felt homely which allows for the individual to interact with fellow human beings. I noticed when one becomes homeless there is isolation as some people would try to avoid them in the streets. The homely environment allows them to get that feel again of getting back into society. The clients are treated with respect and and compassion and yet given responsibilities. Each one is assigned a task to help clean and maintain orderliness in the facility (example: cleaning of the kitchen after meals, cleaning of the bathrooms and the general area). The staff are very professional and friendly. I believe Ascencia is a model shelter. They have in place a program that not only provides the daily needs of the individual: food, shelter, medical attention but also helps them obtain the government assistance they are entitled to, and eventually help find low cost housing. It also looks forward to get them settled back and be able to sustain themselves on a long term basis. At the same time, the clients are checked on regularly to ensure their well-being. Ascencia helps give back the dignity that one may have lost during one’s ordeal into homelessness. As one of the guest chefs, I feel honored to be part of such a great team and hope to be able to assist in the many more months, years ahead.
I have worked as a volunteer for Ascencia for several years.
In that time I have had the opportunity to get to know the staff and the residents there. Ascencia is unique as it is a no nonsense facility that stresses to the residents from day one that they are at the facility as a way station to help them help themselves. The Ascencia staff does all it can to help these people at every turn to eventually be able to re integrate themselves back into the community.
The Ascencia staff welcomes all peoples from all walks of life with and without families. All of these people are part of the dynamic that make Ascencia the go-to place for those people that are ready and willing to get back into the community who need a jumping off place to help them get their feet on the ground.
The facility is well run, clean, lean and efficient. No matter when you go there you will find everything clean and tidy. The staff works tirelessly to work with the residents, and they take a real interest in helping them get back on track.
The volunteers I have worked with are all top rate and just as dedicated to the facility as the staff there. When we serve the residents we actually sit with them and get to know them as people. Our greatest joy is when we have a resident tell us that they will be moving on to their own place in the next couple of days.
Please note that this is one of the finest facilities I have had the pleasure to work with!
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I have been working as one of the Guest Chefs for Ascencia for several years now. The meals we plan and prepare for the residents are engineered with the three major components in mind. The first component is that the food is nutritious as well as healthy for all. We carefully select the menu items to achieve a balanced meal that will include as many of the food groups as possible. This is especially important as there are many children at the shelter. The second component is that we prepare as much of the food fresh at the shelter as possible. When that is not practical, we will bring the items and finish them off at the shelter, all with the aim of providing a fresh, hot meal. The third component is that we try and make the meal experience as enjoyable to all as possible. We chat with the residents, sit down with them to share the meal, and are always ready to listen to their stories. I know that in the time that we have been doing the meals that we have touched dozens of lives. When one is in need it is usually the little things that can make a rough day a bit brighter. I truly feel that we are instrumental in providing that ray of light for the residents on the days we are there.
Ascencia. I know that she respects the organization tremendously and is always feels very and blessed to help. happy and
I have helped cook dinner at Ascencia for several years now through an organization at our church. I am always impressed at the need of the family clients that Ascencia serves and the quality of the services provided to them by Ascencia. It is professional, caring, competent and effective and has had a very positive impact on the homelessness problem in this part of LA County.
