Author: MMIT

Written by Larry Rosen

At the time of writing this, I was an employee of Many Mansions for 6 months. I was in need of new employment, having spent many years working in Substance Use treatment. I was searching for a position that would allow me to utilize my skills to be of maximum service to others.

When I saw the ad for a Peer Support Specialist and what the population was at Many Mansions, I knew that it looked like the place I wanted to be. I feel fortunate and grateful to have been brought into the Many Mansions family. I immediately was made to feel welcome, and the staff here has been wonderful to work with.

I coordinate and facilitate many different types of workshops for our residents, from life skills, to emotional and physical growth workshops, to just spending time together in “Morning Reflections.” I really have begun to establish the types of relationships with our residents that helps them feel comfortable in sharing their stories with me. As a Peer Support Specialist, I have had my own struggles in life and found many tools to maintain my own recovery, and it is this experience that I try to share each day at Many Mansions.

My most memorable experience to date was in the beginning of my employment here. When I introduced myself to one of our residents as the “Peer Support,” they responded, totally deadpan, “Which one, the Santa Monica or Ventura Pier?” Remembering that helps me come in each day with a smile on my face and a chuckle.

The Many Mansions family are a fantastic group to spend my workdays with. Each day, I come into work hoping that I can help one more person gain new tools for lifting up their lives.

Written by Celina Sanchez

When I first heard about Many Mansions, I was looking to volunteer somewhere afterschool and my other job. I saw an advertisement for Many Mansions on my school website and decided to look more into the organization. I ended up finding a job posting for Children Services. I had always wanted to work with kids in some capacity. I knew I wanted to be in the school system, so I was happy to find a position where I could work with kids and help them with their homework.

I didn’t know a lot about nonprofits or Many Mansions when I first started, and I was surprised to learn just how many different services we provide. Through Adult, Children, and Family Services, as well as workshops and programs like the FOOD Share pantries, Many Mansions is able help residents quite a lot! When I was a coordinator at Hillcrest, I would always get both parents and children coming in and expressing their gratitude for all that we do. I love what Many Mansions does for families, and I know that they appreciate it as well.

Through the programs put on by Children Services, we hope to give resident students the resources and help they need to break the cycle of poverty. We aid resident students academically so that they can do well in school, go to college, and get a good career. While we want them to do well, our main goal is really to get them to the point that they like school so that they are able to succeed and do whatever they want to do later on in life.

We are able to help the resident students and provide them with the resources they need in a way that their schools can not necessarily achieve. The staff at their school often do not know what is going on at home. We, however, are here with them every day, doing activities with them, gaining their trust, and building relationships with them.

If something like Homework Club didn’t exist at Many Mansions, resident students would be placed at a disadvantage. Some of them would get their homework done, but they wouldn’t get the help that they need. For example, I know some kids don’t have computers at home and rely on Homework Club to access a computer. Without this resource, resident students would not be able to do many of their school projects. While they could go to the library, Homework Club is onsite and therefore much more accessible to them. In addition to physical resources, resident students are able to get special one-on-one attention from both staff and volunteers. Sometimes, I even see the older teens helping the younger teens.

There are so many benefits of coming to Homework Club. I’m glad that we are able to run Homework Club for the resident students as I’m not sure where they would be without it. One particular student from Hillcrest comes to mind when I think about the success of Homework Club. When he first started, he was very shy and didn’t really talk to any of the kids. He would come in, put his earphones in, and do his homework. He has since grown a lot and really broken out of his shell. He talks to the other kids and has become a great role model and helper for the younger kids. We are very thankful for him!

I love to see the relationships that staff build with residents. You can tell that they are not just doing their job. Many Mansions is truly a community. I love that I can speak to the families and say “hi” to the residents walking by. I truly believe these relationships make Many Mansions the success that it is. Residents feel safe talking to staff. They know that they can be themselves and are not going to be judged.

Written by Bret McLemen

I had a rather short career in the military. I was stationed on a submarine in Vallejo, California where I got to go down in the sub every day. Unfortunately, I never actually got the chance to go in the water and go somewhere as my boat was always stationed on a dry dock. While I was working to be a machinist, I had to leave the military after a couple years for medical reasons and was not in long enough to make this a reality.

The past couple of years I’ve been in and out of places and homeless. I spent about a year in an insurance building parking lot in Simi Valley where they now have chained fences because of people like me. While staying there, I once went 7 days without food and, while it didn’t end well, the experience did teach me a lot. Now I know my limits.

I’ve been here and there and everywhere for the past couple of years, but I now have a place to call home. I ended up being the first person to move into a unit at Ormond Beach Villas. While they told me to be out of the motel by 10:30am, I was at the site a little before 9:00am and bothered them until they decided they better just assign me my unit. I was shocked at how big it was when I first walked in. I didn’t expect it to be like that.

Now that I am housed, I’m going to try and get a job. Although I haven’t worked in a few years, I don’t like being idle and not doing anything. I have to do something, otherwise it might drive me nuts. While I am so happy to be here, I know there are a lot of veterans out there who are much worse off than I ever was. Even though I was homeless, I still had my car the whole time. I walk past people that are a little bit less fortunate than me, and it just bothers the heck out of me to see them so desperately needing help. I hope that they can get everybody off the street and help them like they have helped me.

We definitely need more projects like this.

Written by Rick Schroeder

A donkey came into a village and found an ox lying by a well.

“Mr. Ox,” asked the donkey, “why do you lie by this well?”

“Why do I lie by this well, Brother Donkey?” replied the ox. “I will tell you why I lie by this well. Because I am old, I can no longer pull the heavy plow. My master said that I was too weak and feeble to be of use and he sent me away. I came to this village, but the villagers make fun of me and call me names. I am alone and without a home.”

“Let not your heart be troubled, Mr. Ox. Neither let it be afraid. Stay here. I will come again, for I go to prepare a place for you. In my Father’s house are many mansions.”

The donkey drew water from the well and gave it to the ox. The ox was amazed and he drank the water.

The donkey departed.

Further down the path the donkey came upon a hen crying by a fence.

“Miss Hen,” asked the donkey, “why do you cry by this fence?”

“Why do I cry by this fence, Brother Donkey?” began the hen. “I will tell you why I cry by this fence. My chicks and I fled to escape the cruel and oppressive living conditions imposed upon us by the farmer. He locked us in a coop all day, and we lacked freedom and opportunity. We escaped to this village, but the villagers do not welcome us and only want our eggs! We are alone and without a home.”

“Let not your heart be troubled, Miss Hen. Neither let it be afraid. Stay here. I will come again, for I go to prepare a place for you. In my Father’s house are many mansions.” The donkey gave the hen and her chicks some seeds. They were amazed and they ate the seeds.

The donkey departed.

As the donkey was leaving the village he spied a fox shivering and hiding behind a tree.

“Mr. Fox,” asked the donkey, “why do you shiver and hide behind this tree?”

“Why do I shiver and hide behind this tree, Brother Donkey?” exclaimed the fox. “I will tell you why I shiver and hide behind this tree. When I was young I committed many wrongs. I was ostracized and forced to leave my home. I traveled to this village, but the villagers will neither forgive nor accept me. Though I have changed my ways, I remain an outsider. I am cold and I hide behind this tree because I am ashamed. I am alone and without a home.”

“Let not your heart be troubled, Mr. Fox. Neither let it be afraid. Stay here. I will come again, for I go to prepare a place for you. In my Father’s house are many mansions.”

The donkey gave the fox clothes. The fox was amazed and he put on the clothes.

The donkey departed and left the village.

Several days later the donkey returned to the village. He gathered the ox, the hen and her chicks, and the fox.

“Do not be afraid,” said the donkey. “I have come to take you back with me, so that you may be where I am, also.”

As the donkey led them away, they did not know what to expect but were happy to leave the village and be together.

The donkey brought each to their new dwellings. The donkey wished each of them well and departed.

At first the ox, the hen, her chicks, and the fox were disappointed: the dwellings, while clean and comfortable, were plain and unremarkable. They did not at all look like the ‘mansions’ that they had envisioned. But gradually, they came to accept and love their surroundings and their new friends.

After one year the donkey returned. When he saw the ox, the hen and her chicks, and the fox, together in the courtyard, he asked how they were.

“Oh, Brother Donkey, we could not be happier,” replied the ox. “I am no longer made fun of or called names. Though I am old, my remaining strength still allows me to help my fellow residents. I have never felt more useful.”

“Oh, Brother Donkey, we could not be more hopeful,” chirped the hen. “We are no longer oppressed. With the support of my fellow residents, the chicks and I now have an opportunity for a better life.”

“Oh, Brother Donkey, we could not be more accepted,” stated the fox. “I am no longer ostracized, but forgiven and accepted by my fellow residents. I am no longer ashamed, and have resolved to help others who were once like me.”

The donkey smiled. “My friends,” he began, “you all have come here under different circumstances. Some of you were rejected, some of you were oppressed, some of you were ostracized—all of you were alone and needed a home. In my father’s house are many mansions—a place where all are welcome and accepted, a place where all may live their life to its fullest potential. While it was I who prepared a place for you, it was you who have made it a home.”

Written by Glenn Kassel

The Bowls of Hope has always been an exciting event to look forward to each year! I remember my first one nine or ten years ago. I was asked to be a greeter. I was amazed at all dignitaries attending and so enjoyed meeting and chatting with them as they arrived. They all had such wonderful things to say about Many Mansions and what the organization means to the community. This made me feel very proud to be a volunteer.

I also remember the year that it was raining cats and dogs! I felt for sure, as did many, that the turn-out would be low that year. However, it turned out to be a success! I can still see the vision of people in wheelchairs being brought in soaking wet but with smiles on their faces. Everyone was wet but so happy to be there!

Then there was the year that the event had its first Wine Pull. Wow! This was such a great idea! It actually is a blur in my memory for things moved quickly. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to pay for a bottle of wine in support of Many Mansions. I think we sold all of the wine in half an hour! Amazing!

But my favorite part of Bowls of Hope is seeing the children from Homework Club there with their parents and other family members. Being a volunteer at Homework Club for many years, I got to know the children and watch them grow and progress in their schoolwork. This is reward enough! However, to hear their parents tell you how much the Homework Club helps their
children is “the icing on the cake”!

Written by Cheyenne Bingham

The first child I tried to work with during Homework Club spurned my quiet request to help him with his math homework. He glanced over at me suspiciously before slowly wrapping his arms around his homework, sinking over it like I had spied on something secret. Embarrassment burned through me, and I awkwardly walked back to the library, my usual hiding spot.

Before this, I had never worked with children before, not in any capacity. As the youngest child in my family, I was quiet, shy, and deeply introverted. The children of Villa Garcia, though friendly, were very daunting to me. The things they said and laughed at didn’t make sense, and I had a hard time asking if they needed any help.

Only 15 hours, I reminded myself. That was all I needed to pass my college course. Only 15 hours of volunteering. In 2012, badminton was all the rage with the kids of Villa Garcia. For a long stretch of time, we had enough adults to split up our students. I was one of them. The ones who had finished their homework could go outside and play badminton under the watchful eye of one staff and one adult volunteer. The rest would be supervised inside of the community by another staff and another adult volunteer.

One Thursday afternoon, one specific child was especially looking forward to this. He asked the coordinator about it twice before snack. Then, unexpectedly, our fourth adult got an emergency phone call and had to duck out. With only three adults on-site, we could not break up into groups. There would be no badminton match that day. Disappointed, the coordinator broke the news to the homework club. It was met with resigned groans and grumbling from the kids. But it was also met with a deeply saddened little boy. The child who’d eagerly asked about it just 20 minutes before stood alone in the middle of the room, shoulders hunched and eyes fixed on the ground. A silent tear ran down his face. When you’re five, disappointment is hard to swallow.

This child’s quiet devastation did not go unnoticed. Other children jumped up from their seats, immediately swarming him. They hugged him and patted his hair, promising that they would try again tomorrow. They tried making him laugh with silly jokes. They tried enticing him with board games. When none of that worked, they looked to each other and started firing out solutions over his bowed head.

“Can’t we just be supervised by one adult?” they asked. No, we told them. We explained it was for safety reasons.

“We can be safe,” they argued indignantly. We disagreed, memories of splinters, scraps, paper cuts, and bee stings dancing in our heads.

Undeterred, they went at it from a different angle. “How many kids had homework left?” they asked the rest of the room. Only three students raised their hands. “Couldn’t they finish outside while everyone else plays?”

That wasn’t fair to them, we reminded the kids. The community room had tables and supplies. If they finished homework outside, they needed to bring everything with them, and they would have to finish their assignments in their laps.

“But are they willing?” the kids asked.

Surprisingly, they were. The remaining students with homework even went as far to eagerly prove to us how little homework they had left. A worksheet here, a reading assignment there–in the face of such a united effort, we adults hesitated.

5 minutes later (and armed with our ubiquitous first aid backpack), we marched outside to the small patch of grass between two buildings. The net was quickly set up and the kids were split into teams. For one devastated child, it was like the last ten minutes had been easily erased. The game began, supervised and refereed by my coordinator. The children played joyously, giddy and laughing until program was over. As for me, I didn’t understand badminton. While they played, I sat down on the grass and helped a preteen through the rest of her algebra homework, my mind buzzing with all that had happened that afternoon.

There was a lot I didn’t know back then in 2012. First of all, I didn’t know I would eventually volunteer for 200 hours—well over my required 15. I didn’t know I would graduate from volunteer to intern to Children Services Assistant in just over a year, or that I would eventually move on within the company to grant writing.

I didn’t know the first child who refused my help has most contagious laughter I have ever heard, or that the upset five year would grow up to become a very polite and kind young man who always offers to help out. I didn’t know that I myself would become part of the Villa Garcia community, or that I would be greeted with hugs and invited to things like graduations, choir performances, and family events.

What I did know in 2012 was that the place that allowed such a strong, loving, and mutually supportive community grow was definitely a place I wanted to work at.

In 2020, I still don’t understand badminton, but because of what I saw at Villa Garcia, I do understand Many Mansions. Many Mansions provides housing. But Many Mansions also provides hope through services, resources, and opportunity. It creates safe spaces for residents to learn, grow, and bond with each other, developing a community. Many Mansions provides quality housing that residents can be proud of and services that support and uplift every participant.

I am proud of Many Mansions, and I am proud of the kids of Villa Garcia. To me, Villa Garcia will always be a shining example of what we mean when we say hope and housing.

Written by Bambi Hosaka

I am in charge of public relations and marketing for Many Mansions. I first heard about Many Mansions when my husband and I were putting together the Conejo Food and Wine event in Thousand Oaks. With all of the proceeds from the event being given to different organizations, we were looking for a deserving charity to give back to. Due to the values of our culture, we were drawn to Many Mansions.

I come from a country with many poor and homeless individuals. While I cannot help them, I feel it is important to help those in the country that I now live in. Considering the growing homeless population in Ventura County, I believe it is very important to help people who are homeless. I know that compared to Los Angeles County, our numbers are still very low. However, Many Mansions has the unique potential to prevent the statistics in Ventura County from rising.

There are not a lot of nonprofit organizations in Ventura County that address homelessness as well as Many Mansions does. Many Mansions not only provides housing, but also various services for residents which really sets us apart from other organizations. Children Services, in my opinion, is probably the best thing that we offer as an organization. The children are our future, and we are lucky enough to have volunteers who run this program for them. I was fortunate enough to not have to rely on a volunteer for my own children, but I can say that these services and extracurricular activities are very beneficial for parents that work multiple jobs and may not have the time or the skills to help their children.

I spend a lot of time out in the community for my work, and I hear many of my positive feelings towards the organization reflected in the words of others. There is some frustration with the waiting list being closed, but I believe it was the right choice to close it. There may be some who react to the long wait negatively, a good majority have been very understanding. I think they understand we do not want to give unreasonable hope to people that are in need.

The mission of Many Mansions is really what motivates me. When I have a bad day at work, I remind myself of the mission, the fact that we are making a difference, and that I’m giving back to the community. People here have the passion for the mission too. They are here because of the mission. We are all working so that we can achieve this mission together.

Written By Susan Cass

When I joined the Many Mansions Board of Directors, I thought about all that I could bring to the organization. I had experience in accounting, finance and teaching. I spent many years working at a company involved in housing. I arrogantly thought I had a lot to offer. I soon found that Many Mansions offered me much more in return.

From the residents, I learned about courage, perseverance, and resiliency in the face of life’s difficulties. From the employees, I learned about commitment and compassion. Both of these groups made a tremendous impression on me. But I have learned just as much from working with the Board of Directors. They are a diverse group with a wide range of ages and life experiences. Universally, they are here out of a sense of caring for their community.

There is a core group who have been on the Board for many years. Sister Lisa Megaffin embodies the concept of “faith in action.” Chris Soltow is as comfortable and knowledgeable offering development advice as he is tutoring a five-year-old at Homework Club. Marty Garcia, founder of the Vicky’s Fund Scholarship program, sets an example of leadership and generosity. Mario Diaz is a creative and resourceful problem solver. Gary Barnum is a dependable source of ideas, assistance, and advocacy. Karen Ingram is an articulate champion for our residents and those in need of housing. Kevin Kozal offers insightful legal perspectives. Nancy Moravec brings kindness to every task and communication. Dick Hus shows an exceptional sense of dedication. Jerry Petry contributes his business knowledge and intelligence.

More recent additions to the Board have also made rapid contributions. From day one, Doug Perry had an extraordinary commitment to learn and participate as much as possible. Tim Harrington offers cutting-edge business ideas and management skills. Skyler Wolpert, a long-time Homework Club volunteer, is an exuberant advocate. Our newest Board member, Mackenzie Mazen, has confidence and sincerity in her commitment to nonprofit work. Lastly, Rick Schroeder sets an example to us all, deftly managing a complex business with a caring and compassion for those served.

It’s my honor to serve on the Many Mansions Board of Directors, and I am grateful to my fellow Board members, our staff, and our residents for all you have taught me.

Written By Crystal Gonzalez

It’s the final stretch. I can feel the finish line of senior year at my fingertip. After thirteen years in school, I’m able to reflect back and realize that going to school was probably one of the easiest parts of my life. Around 9 th or 10 th grade, the thought of going to college begins to set in for most teens. My story, however, was a little bit different. Growing up, I never heard stories of my family members going off to college and how that whole experience helped “shape them”. My mom grew up in Mexico, along with her other siblings, and they eventually moved to California to seek a better life than the pueblo they lived on had to offer. There was no
priority for my mom to go to school. Instead, it was for the good of her family that she focused on working to support them.

Because my mom wasn’t given the chance to obtain a complete education, she made it her duty to ensure it could become a reality for me and my siblings. As I ventured through my childhood, my mom constantly instilled in me the idea that obtaining a higher education was both possible and necessary. My mom is our head of household, and she is our main source of income. She’s spent her years in the United States cleaning houses and working for fast food industries. Because of the low pay, she’s had to work long, difficult hours to help make ends meet. I’ve just always wanted to obtain a higher education to make my mom proud after all of the hard work and sacrifices she’s made. The day my mom no longer has to work will be the day I feel fulfilled.

Being a first-generation student helped motivate me to take on challenges and create my life the way I envisioned it. Although I loved being in school, being a reserved person was something I always struggled with, and it hindered my learning. My volunteer work was a major factor in helping to ease me out of my shyness. I grew up in affordable housing with Many Mansions, and this nonprofit offers a Teen Leadership Program to their resident youth each summer. Through this program, I was able to lead groups of 15-20 children with daily crafts, activities, pool days, and field trips. We also worked with the children on math and reading to help combat summer learning loss. This program is 7 weeks long, and I have volunteered approximately 150 hours of work each summer since I was 12 years old.

Through this program, I’ve been able to find my voice. I’ve learned to muster up the confidence to stand up in front of a room and help offer the same camp experiences to my younger peers who also grew up in affordable housing. I’ve worked to become a leader and a role model to those around me, and to give them all the same hope I have for a higher education. I’ve never followed the belief that one is born with great intelligence or superior athleticism. I believe you are able to move forward with the effort you’re willing to put forth, and that mentality has followed me throughout my life.

In my final weeks of high school, I feel eager to finally attend college to become a registered nurse. My compassion for people and my desire to help others, combined with my love of math and science, has driven me here. Although I plan on pursuing a “traditional” career, I plan on using my work in “non-traditional” ways to go beyond. While I may find myself working in a hospital or for a private practice, I will undoubtedly continue to make volunteering in my community a part of my life. I know that those who are homeless, low-income, immigrants, and many others do not always have equal opportunity to attainable healthcare. I also know that having insurance comes at a great cost. I would love to be able to one day volunteer some of my time at free clinics or in other capacities that will help give others quality healthcare and equal opportunities. This will be my contribution to help make this world a more positive place.