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Whittier Navigation Center Now Open

The City of Whittier’s newly opened comprehensive service facility and shelter for homeless residents features 139 beds for individuals in a private space. The Navigation Center will also feature wrap-around services to its clients that include health and wellness resources, employment assistance, substance abuse services, and counseling with the goal of connecting clients to stable income and permanent housing.

COMPREHENSIVE NAVIGATION CENTER OPENS FOR WHITTIER’S HOMELESS

A 139-bed comprehensive service center is now open to serve Whittier residents experiencing homelessness. Wrap-around services provided by The Salvation Army will be offered in a modern residential setting and aims to set residents on a path to self-sufficiency.

Unlike traditional homeless shelters that provide only meals and sleeping accommodations, Whittier’s Navigation Center will provide clients with case management services that include health and wellness resources, employment assistance, substance abuse services, and counseling, with the goal of connecting clients to stable income and permanent housing.

“This innovative approach to addressing the needs of unhoused Whittier residents is the culmination of many years’ worth of planning and thoughtful decision making by our City Council, The Salvation Army, and cooperating agencies,” said Whittier City Manager Brian Saeki.

The Center is just one part of the City’s 2018 plan to address homelessness in Whittier, but the COVID-19 crisis prompted the Whittier City Council to vote in April 2020 to speed up the development timeline. While the Uptown Whittier Senior Center served as an immediate answer to the public health crisis, an all-hands-on deck approach led to the complete renovation of The Salvation Army’s existing building in Whittier which now offers clients a therapy room, patio, and cubicle-style sleeping quarters.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded tours of the center, which will be operated by The Salvation Army, an experienced non-profit service provider with significant experience serving homeless clients in the Whittier area and across Southern California. In addition to receiving three meals a day and semi-private sleeping quarters equipped with personal hygiene amenities, residents will also have access to transportation, onsite pet care, health services, and free phone service.

A therapy room where residents can receive Department of Mental Health counselling services is one of the many innovative features of the Navigation Center that will provide comprehensive services to Whittier’s homeless residents in partnership with the Salvation Army.

The opening of the Navigation Center also allows the City of Whittier to continue enforcement of its no camping, curfew, and other quality of life city ordinances prohibited under the Ninth Circuit’s Martin v. City of Boise 2018 ruling. The addition of the Center’s 139 new beds is part of the Homeless Action Plan approved by the City Council in 2018, which set a goal of increasing shelter and housing capacity in the City. Criteria for capacity and residency was set forth in a settlement agreement between the City of Whittier and the Orange County Catholic Charities Workers.

“Providing a path to self-sufficiency for our most vulnerable citizens while ensuring the safety of our community and improving the quality of life for Whittier residents is a win-win opportunity,” said Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri.

Please contact the Whittier Navigation Center at 562-696-7175

Local Homeless Resources

Download Local Homelessness Resources List below

Landlord information

Los Angeles County has a Homeless Incentive Program to encourage landlords to rent their available units to homeless Section 8 voucher holders.

Whittier Area First Day Coalition

12426 Whittier Blvd.
Whittier, California 90602
Administration (562) 945-4304
Services: (562) 693-4097
www.whittierfirstday.org

Whittier First Day provides a short-term emergency transitional housing with on site supportive services to 45 individuals in the City of Whittier. Services include: on-site health clinic, health screenings, mental health services, on-site meals, case management, clothing, transportation, 12 step meetings, education, training and employment assistance. First Day provides professional and social service offices and meeting space.

The Whole Child (Intercommunity Child Guidance Center)

10155 Colima Road
Whittier, CA 90603
(562) 692-0383
www.thewholechild.info

ICGC has provided children, adolescents, and families in the community with affordable, culturally-sensitive, and professional mental services for 42 years. Services include: child abuse prevention, free parenting education in English and Spanish, anger management classes, and substance abuse help and counseling for teens.

Women’s and Children’s Crisis Shelter Whittier

Hotline (562)945-3939
Office (562)945-3937
www.wccshope.org
info@dvshelter.org

24-Hour Hotline - offers crisis assistance, safety planning, shelter placement, and information & referrals to service providers throughout Los Angeles County. Our bilingual English/Spanish operators understand the needs of families impacted by domestic violence and are here to give support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Emergency Shelter - confidential 45-day stay emergency shelter offers a safe and secure place of refuge and recovery for victims of domestic violence and their children. Our entire continuum of on-site provisions consists of food, clothing, hygiene items, support groups, parenting classes, one-on-one counseling, case management, legal, financial and medical advocacy, transportation, and children’s program including an on-site school for shelter children.

Transitional Shelter - Stella’s Friendship House is a 9-month program providing housing and supportive services to victims and their children who have made the transition from emergency shelter, but are not yet ready to be on their own. Our transitional shelter is currently operating on a limited basis until secure funding is acquired.

Salvation Army

12000 E. Washington Blvd., Ste. 101
Whittier, CA
(562) 696-9562
Manuel.Martinez@usw.salvationarmy.org
www.santafesprings.salvationarmy.org

Services Offered:

Emergency Financial Assistance
Food & Nutrition Programs
Seasonal Services
Casework Services
Worship Services - Children's / Teen
Worship Services - Church
Christian Education
Men's Ministries
Music & Arts Programs
Worship Services - Sunday School
Women's Ministries
Worship Services - Young Adult
Worship Services - Youth Ministries
Character Building Programs
Residential Camping Activities

Whittier Consortium on Homeless

www.whittierhomeless.org

Assistance League of Whittier

https://www.assistanceleague.org/whittier/

Dental Care program for children of low income families.

Red Cross Rio Hondo Chapter

6706 Friends Avenue
Whittier, CA 90601
(562) 945-3944
www.redcross.org

The Rio Hondo Chapter of the American Red Cross helps prevent, prepare for and respond to emergency situations. The local chapter offers a variety of specialized training in first-aid, disaster management, emergency response, pet first-aid, CPR, and lifesaving skills. Fire prevention, earthquake preparedness and programs for seniors are also available. Services include: Emergency shelters, assistance for individuals and families displaced by fire, flood or other disasters, immunizations, lifesaving skills, CPR training, first-aid, emergency preparedness planning, programs designed especially for elderly and home safety training.

Whittier Meals on Wheels

7333 Greenleaf Avenue
Whittier, CA 90602
(562)567-9477
www.whittiermeals.org

Whittier Meals on Wheels is a volunteer organization that delivers meals to homebound, disabled, aged, chronically or temporarily ill qualified individuals so that they can remain self-sufficient in their own homes. Since 1973, Whittier Meals on Wheels has averaged 120 deliveries per day. Meals are delivered 5 days per week by volunteers who donate their time and vehicles.

Southeast Area Social Services Funding Authority

Also known as Rio Hondo America's Job Center of California

10400 Pioneer Blvd., Suite 9
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(562) 946-2237 or (562) 699-3231 for Seniors
www.sassfa.org

SASSFA provides a variety of home based care services to assist the frail older adult, age 60 and over to remain independent. These services include light housekeeping and personal care services for four hours per week. SASSFA also offer hot nutritious meals at the Uptown Senior Center, 13225 Walnut St., Whittier. And, for qualifying seniors, SASSFA can even deliver the meal to your home.

L.A. Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse

11015 Bloomfield Avenue
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(562) 906-2686
www.lacada.com

LACADA provides professional care for substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and related services in order to promote healthy living and addiction counseling that saves lives and unites families. They offer both outpatient and in-home services. Services include: Drug and alcohol rehabilitation for teens and adults, live in rehabilitation for mothers, parenting classes, drug awareness education, HIV/AIDS awareness and HIV outreach programs, counseling and family reunification

Saint Matthias Episcopal Church - Soup Hour

7056 Washington Ave.
Whittier, CA 90602
562.698.9741
www.stmatthiaswhittier.org

The St. Matthias Soup Hour started in 1984 as a response to seeing hungry people in the Uptown area of Whittier. Every weekday from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM volunteers serve a hot meal to anyone who wishes to eat. Some guests are longtime residents of the streets, some are only recently homeless, others live in nearby low income housing. There are also families, elders, and people who have jobs but do not make enough money to feed themselves the entire month. Over the course of the year, the Soup Hour serves over 20,000 meals to those in need. This service is accomplished with the guidance of two paid, part-time staff and over 30 volunteers each week. In addition to meals, over 300 guests receive their mail at Saint Matthias, as well as hygiene kits, bus fare, and other small monetary needs as funds are available. Since 2014, a nurse practitioner and registered nurse have volunteered their time every other Tuesday from 2 to 4 PM to help guests in need of medical assistance and attention.

Interfaith Food Center

11819 Burke Street
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
562.903.1478
www.interfaithfoodcenter.org

The Interfaith Food Center is a non-faith-based, charity organization dedicated to meeting the needs of the hungry and homeless neighbors in Whittier, La Mirada and Santa Fe Springs. IFC was founded in 1983 as a community-based food distribution center, serving some 30 low-income local families. Today, IFC is one of the largest food pantries in California, serving more than 1,300 households on a weekly basis from a 6800 square foot warehouse/distribution facility equipped with commercial refrigerators and freezers and a walk in cooler unit to properly handle & store food donations. Clients receive free weekly nutritional food assistance through the Food Distribution Program. Low-income families and individuals who live in Whittier, La Mirada and Santa Fe Springs are eligible for bagged groceries weekly. A client’s weekly food allotment includes canned goods, dairy and deli-meat products, bread and fresh produce. The IFC secures 8 to 10 meals for each family. Food helps to nourish families and individuals, strengthens the frail elderly, and helps children perform better in school.

Homeless Lunch Program - Homeless individuals receive a daily sack lunch. The sack lunch program serves the homeless population of Whittier, La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs, and the surrounding communities, and individuals must live on the street, motel, car, and or shelter to qualify. A sack lunch is provided daily; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Sack lunches consist of a lunch on the go; muffin, hardboiled egg, granola bars, sandwich or salad, tuna kit, drink and fresh fruit. Participants are also provided with personal care items when supplies are available.

Cold Weather Shelter

7056 Washington Ave.
Whittier, CA 90602
562.698.9741

The Cold Weather Shelter provides two meals and a bed indoors for up to approximately 40 homeless people throughout the winter months, at area churches. CWS is from November through March. Dinner is served @ 7 PM and Breakfast @ 7AM, lights out at 9 PM; wake-up at 5 AM. All participants fill out an application and are prescreened. CWS has an established set of rules of conduct for guests. Several guests are employed during the day. A major purpose of the CWS is to encourage guests to work and save their money and get into an apartment. CWS provides sleeping mattresses & blankets. CWS is staffed by volunteer screeners working with the Whittier Interfaith Council who check-in guests each night. The beds are provided on a rotating basis by up to 10 area churches.

Jobs Combating Homelessness

Jobs are available all over Los Angeles County and are categorized by region. Through the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative and Measure H funds, these new employment opportunities will enable us to significantly ramp up service to those in need. Jobs range from front-line outreach workers and housing navigators to managers and executives. Explore job opportunities in your community.

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