Providing hope, homes, and life-enriching services to families in need since 1979
This editorial originally appeared in Our Ventura TV, on June 16, 2017,
“Many Mansions: Affordable Housing For Low-Income Residents”
This editorial originally appeared in Ventura County Star, on July 4, 2017,
“Many Mansions, Conejo Schools Foundation honored as Nonprofit of the Year”
Two local nonprofits received California’s Nonprofit of the Year award during a ceremony in Sacramento last month.
Affordable housing developer Many Mansions and Conejo Schools Foundation, an education and social service organization, were among about 100 California nonprofits to be honored by state politicians. Leaders from both organizations were flown to Sacramento for a celebratory lunch and tour of the Senate floor. Additionally, all honored nonprofits received plaques to commemorate their ongoing service.
This editorial originally appeared in Conejo Valley Lifestyle, on June 23, 2017,
“Many Mansions Builds A Firm Foundation for Community”
In 1979, community members of Thousand Oaks came together in response to the housing crisis plaguing their neighbors, especially those who were becoming homeless or being forced to live in overcrowded, run-down, and crime-ridden housing.
These individuals represented a wide segment of Thousand Oaks, including the faith community, social services agencies, businesses, local government and concerned citizens.
Their initial efforts led to the establishment of Many Mansions in Ventura County, which owns and operates 500 units in 14 affordable housing complexes in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Oxnard.
his editorial originally appeared in the Ventura County Star.
Each Christmas season, millions of Americans watch a movie about affordable housing. They think it’s a movie about a would-be angel who helps a man see what life would be like if he had never been born. The man — George Bailey — learns that it really has been a wonderful life and Clarence gets his angel wings.
It’s a feel-good movie, but at its core, this is a movie about affordable housing. George Bailey and his father run the Bailey Building and Loan, which provides loans so middle class people can afford to live in a safe decent home. In the scenes in which George “was never born,” he finds that Bailey Park has been replaced by a place called Pottersville, a series of ramshackle houses not fit for humans. Indeed, because there is no affordable housing, the fabric of the entire community is different. There is crime, alcohol abuse and unemployment.
Bowls bring hope, funds forThis article originally appeared in the
Ventura County Star.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Over 500 hand-painted bowls were displayed at Many Mansions’ Bowls of Hope fundraiser Sunday at California Lutheran University, where for $35, guests could choose a bowl to take home and eat as much soup, salad, bread and dessert donated by area restaurants.
Heather McLeod, community and public relations coordinator of nonprofit Many Mansions, explained the bowls were painted at bowl parties thrown throughout the year.
Karen Kolosieke, of Westlake Village, Anne Saffell, of Thousand Oaks, and Sharon McDonald, of Agoura Hills, had been to one of those painting parties and were hoping to find the bowls they had painted to take home with them, but couldn’t.
“It felt good that it was gone,” said Kolosieke, who ended up with a bowl that said “imagine,” hope” and “dream.”
The threesome is very involved with the Thousand Oaks-based Many Mansions.
“It is a wonderful charity,” Kolosieke said.
Macy’s donates books toIn collaboration with the Camarillo Amber’s Light Lions Club, Macy’s donated over 1,000 books to Many Mansions! Current subscribers can view the article and pictures online through the VC Star website.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Diego Sanchez’s face lit up as Del Hernandez, store manager of Macy’s Thousand Oaks, asked him if he liked to read.
The question came Tuesday at the Many Mansions Shadow Hills homework club. Macy’s provided 1,035 books through the Reading is Fundamental campaign.
The youngsters, ranging in age from 5 to 11, were allowed to choose a book to take home.
Diego, 8, picked a “Star Wars” book.
“I love Star Wars,” he said. “I like the Jedi.”
Hernandez was delighted. He said every Macy’s was allowed to choose a local organization that would benefit from the program.
“Seeing those smiles is what it’s all about,” Hernandez said. “This is awesome to see right here, down the street from our store, how we are impacting children right here in Thousand Oaks.”
An excellent article was posted in Sunday’s Ventura County Star (link below) about Many Mansions, its office move and direction. Be sure to check out the timeline at the end of the article with pictures of our properties! Read the article on the VC Star’s website.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Moving just one block away may seem silly.
But the staff at Many Mansions believes leaving a hidden corner on Thousand Oaks Boulevard for a prominent spot on the same street could make a world of difference.
The housing nonprofit recently moved its offices to a new building with its blue logo on display for all drivers getting on or off the freeway at Rancho Road to see.
“The more prominent we are, the better,” said Many Mansions President Rick Schroeder. “There’s still many in our community who don’t know about us.”
That may be hard to believe considering the organization is in its 35th year and boasts 14 affordable housing projects across the county. But the nonprofit is starting a new chapter and it needs the attention of one group in particular — the private sector.
The demise of redevelopment agencies in California has left a rather large hole in an organization that builds and renovates housing for the poor. About a quarter of Many Mansions’ housing development revenue came from the local redevelopment agency.