Glendale Police and Ascencia: Partnering to Combat Homelessness and Secure Permanent Housing

The Glendale Police Department (GPD) and Ascencia, a nonprofit organization, work together to support homeless individuals in Glendale. Their goal is to help these individuals find permanent housing.

Alfred Hernandez, Ascencia’s lead outreach case manager, and Kory Petrosyan, GPD’s homeless liaison officer, conduct outreach efforts. They educate people about the services available to them. Camille Guerrero, Ascencia’s director of development, stresses the urgency of their work due to high demand; once individuals receive services, their time to secure housing begins.

Ascencia’s Access Center includes a 45-bed emergency shelter. Guerrero notes that the organization has a 98% retention rate for residents who eventually find permanent housing.

Collaboration is key. Ascencia relies on support from the city and GPD for effective outreach. The outreach team operates Monday through Friday, and GPD fills in over weekends and nights. They connect with unhoused individuals found in parks and libraries, assisting them in enrolling for services.

The process to help someone gain housing involves gathering necessary documents and sometimes providing transportation. Hernandez shared a success story about a man with Parkinson’s disease, emphasizing the happiness he felt when helping people find homes.

Ascencia provides comprehensive care, including case management, interim housing, and therapy. The organization serves about 1,200 individuals experiencing homelessness each year and partners with local hospitals to support patients transitioning to the shelter.

Ascencia has a food pantry and a kitchen where volunteers prepare meals. It prioritizes preventing hunger among clients. Additionally, the center offers amenities such as a laundry facility, computer lab, and a community room.

Hernandez and Petrosyan also focus on making personal connections with individuals on the streets. Petrosyan engages with the community and builds trust, blending outreach and law enforcement when necessary.

Ascencia operates its programs with around 70% government funding and relies on donations for the rest. The team frequently celebrates the joy and hope they witness in clients as they secure housing.