AnonymousSource: PATH Santa Barbara
PATH Santa Barbara – the local branch of People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), a statewide nonprofit organization working to end homelessness in California – is pleased to announce that through its longstanding partnerships and relationships with local organizations such as Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, Holehouse Construction Company and Bucket Brigade, it has been able to maintain its 100-bed capacity for housing people experiencing homelessness, address urgent needs, place clients in full-time employment and continue to provide services to its unhoused neighbors despite operational challenges and supply shortages brought on by the pandemic.
“We’re so humbled by the outpouring of love in Santa Barbara,” said John Bowlin, Associate Director of Development & Volunteer programs at PATH. “Our community has really come together to support one another, and we are grateful for their support to help us provide critically important services for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Recently, PATH Santa Barbara renewed its partnership with Holehouse Construction Company and placed two of its formerly homeless clients in full-time construction jobs, helping them move forward in their journey to achieving housing and economic security.
“We have been honored to partner with PATH to help disadvantaged individuals get a start in the construction industry,” said Shane Holehouse, Vice President of Holehouse Construction Company. “We currently have two individuals from PATH working for us on residential construction projects. They are learning hands-on skills and life skills necessary to be valuable employees and achieve housing independence.”
Another PATH client, Jordan Stitt, was able to fulfill a dream of starting his own business of refurnishing furniture. Stitt created Best Coast Restoration with a business partner and support from homeowner Jillian Muller who developed the business plan with Holehouse Construction to employ those who were trying to get back on their feet.
PATH has also been working in close coordination with other nonprofit organizations and the service provider community in Santa Barbara in order to amplify their impact in the community and uplift each other through partnerships that are mutually beneficial. In the last 12 weeks, PATH has received:
- Donations of 300 hygiene kits which include body wash, razors, tooth brushes and toothpaste , new clothing items, face masks and plastic face shields by 7 student groups including Boys Teen Charity, Habitat Club, Teens on the Scene, Dos Pueblo High School, San Marcos High School, Cate School and UC Santa Barbara Community Affairs Board
- 100 face masks, 24 face shields and 8 large bottles of hand sanitizer from Bucket Brigade
- 150 gallons of milk, hand collected by a crew member from Starbucks
In addition, PATH Santa Barbara has reinstated its entire volunteer cohort which is made up of local seniors, college students from UC Santa Barbara and faith-based groups. PATH has made its space as safe as possible for its dedicated volunteers by adding safety measures such as new plexiglass, social distancing markers and providing all volunteers with personal protective equipment.
For more information about community partnership or volunteer opportunities, please contact John Bowlin at JohnB@ePath.org.
About PATH
Founded in 1984, PATH is the largest homeless nonprofit organization working to end homelessness for individuals, families, and communities in California. We do this by building affordable supportive housing and providing supportive services statewide. PATH provides housing and homeless services in 150 California cities and serves 20% of the state’s population experiencing homelessness. In the last five years, PATH has helped more than 10,000 move into permanent homes. More information at http://www.epath.org.
