Welcome to Gramercy Housing Group

 In 1992, a group of social workers and child advocates gathered together with the shared vision of creating a safe, nurturing home environment where at-risk young families could flourish. This dedicated group formed Gramercy Housing Group, which has grown to become what is now a professionally-staffed 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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Become a Holiday Sponsor for a GHG Family

GHG is seeking 30 sponsors for our annual Holiday Party on December 15th. You can sponsor one of our 15 children by providing $50, which will be used to purchase 2 age and developmentally appropriate toys from Santa. Or, you can sponsor one of our 15 moms by providing $50, which will be used to purchase a gift card from Target or Wal-Mart. For more information, contact joey@gramercyhousinggroup.org or 323-737-7351.

Join United Way's HomeWalk 2009

200 VOLUNTEERS FROM GRAMERCY HOUSING GROUP, KaBOOM, AND THE HOME DEPOT JOIN FORCES TO BUILD STATE OF THE ART PLAYGROUND

WHAT:
More than 200 volunteers from Gramercy Housing Group, The Home Depot, and organizers from the nonprofit organization KaBOOM! will join together to build a state-of-the-art, 2,500 square foot playground in one day. The playground will provide a safe, fun environment for the children in the community.

WHERE: Gramercy Housing Group, 1824 4th Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90019

WHEN: Thursday, September 17

INVITED DIGNITARIES:

Speaker of the California State Assembly, Karen Bass
LA County Supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas
LA City Councilmember, Herb Wesson

Founded in 1996, GHG is a non-profit community organization whose mission is to provide service-enriched affordable housing and assistance to young families as they transition to their own homes. Originally a volunteer organization, GHG has grown into an organization that uniquely brings together the essential services needed by young families, which include access to affordable housing with on-site childcare, education/employment assistance and supportive services. More information about GHG can be found on our website: www.gramercyhousinggroup.org.

As a founding partner of KaBOOM!, The Home Depot Foundation provides financial support, materials and numerous volunteers for play space projects across North America as part of its ongoing commitment to give back to the communities its stores serve. In addition to providing funding for the project, more than 150 associates from local The Home Depot stores will spend their day off helping volunteers from Gramercy Housing Group build the playground.

KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. Celebrating 14 years of service in 2009, KaBOOM! has used its innovative community-build model to bring together business and community interests to construct new playgrounds, skate parks, sports fields and ice rinks across North America.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE (PDF)

Donate Online or Print the Donation Form (PDF) and mail to:
Gramercy Housing Group, 1824 4th Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90019

Gramercy Housing Group’s Playground is Getting a Makeover!

KaBOOM!, a national non-profit that empowers communities to build playgrounds (http://kaboom.org), has selected Gramercy Housing Group as a community-build partner for a much needed playground revitalization. This means that with the help of KaBOOM! and community volunteers, GHG will have a new playground installed with in only one day! “Build Day” will take place on Thursday, September 17th from 8AM-3PM. We are still in need of volunteers as well as donations of food, drinks, and paper goods for the event. If you or someone you know would be interested in becoming part of this transformative event, contact Joey Solomon at (323) 737-7351 ext. 13 or joey@gramercyhousinggroup.org.

Please Join Us in October for Gramercy Housing Group’s 2nd Annual Silent Auction

On October 3, 2009 Gramercy Housing Group will be hosting its 2nd Annual Silent Auction. The cocktail party and silent auction will take place on this day from 3PM-6PM at The Alden Residence located in Beverly Hills. In addition to a live auction, there will be musical entertainment and a raffle, along with delicious food and drinks for all to enjoy. If you would like to join us for this evening of elegance in support of Gramercy Housing Group, please RSVP by September 17th at (866) 367-7284 or gramercyhousinggroup.org/events . We look forward to seeing you there.

Inglewood Rotary Helps GHG & GFC Hop into Spring

Early in April, the Inglewood Rotary graciously donated 20 spring baskets to the children of Gramercy Housing Group and Gramercy Family Center. The festive, handcrafted baskets were filled with spring-themed toys and treats tailored for each child. Our children, proudly wearing their bunny ears, took photographs with the baskets in front of the colorful spring murals created by GFC staff. Needless to say, much happiness and spring cheer was made possible for our children by this generous contribution from the Inglewood Rotary. We are thankful for their support and to everyone else who lends a hand in keeping GHG a thriving community for families in need.

Gramercy Families Receive Professional Photo Shoot

This past March, community supporter and professional photographer from Photocentrique, Marina Milosevich, donated her services by arranging a photo shoot for GHG families. Each family received professional quality photographs that captured the joy of mother and child. Although there were windy conditions during the shoot, the pictures of our families set in the park-like setting of Gramercy's courtyard, turned out wonderfully. This was an excellent opportunity for GHG families to bond and celebrate one another.

Our mothers were excited by the quality of their photographs, which will help them enrich their homes with a symbol of family love and togetherness. We are grateful to Marina for sharing her talent to promote a thriving family community at GHG.

In promoting cultural awareness and diversity, GFC teachers Ms. Jeri and Ms. Glendy designed their February curriculum around Black History Month. They included interactive lessons on: George Washington Carver, inventor of peanut butter; Garret Morgan, inventor of the traffic light; and Jackie Robinson, one of the first African-Americans to break the color barrier in professional baseball. Ms. Jeri believes: “We have such a multicultural class, so it is important to honor that diversity by representing the heritage of our students in the curriculum.”

Current News:

Leo Baeck Temple

What a treat for our families! Families from Leo Baeck Temple came to share their annual holiday cheer. All the children decorated cookies and picture frames while the Leo Baeck parents scurried to prepare lunch for the children and staff! They also brought lots of books and toys for each of our kids and childcare center to enjoy. It is always a delight to host them and a treat to have them here with us! 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Gramercy

Click to view the Card

Ralphs Community Contribution Program

Do you shop at Ralph's or Food 4 Less? Did you know that every time you shop with your rewards card registered to our NPO number, you could be donating to Gramercy Housing Group and assisting in our fight against homelessness and working with emancipated foster youth? Get registered today!

NPO number 91131

• Register online at www.Ralphs.com,
• Click Services then click on School Programs
• Click on Community Contributions LEARN MORE
• Click on Participant ENROLL 
• Be sure to have your Ralphs REWARDS Card(s) available and register your card with Gramercy Housing Group (NPO number 91131)  by following the easy online directions. 
• If you do not have a Ralphs REWARDS Card, they are available at the customer service desk at any Ralphs. 
• Remember, purchases will not count for your group until after your member(s) register their card(s).
• Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-660-9003 to get your REWARDS Card number.

A note from the director with a glance at Foster Care:

Founded 16 years ago, Gramercy Housing Group sought to assist emancipating foster youth who routinely found their families on the street or bouncing from house to house and no place to call home. Gramercy Housing Group has continued in this mission, operating Gramercy Court for 12 years and watching the number of young homeless families grow.  Did you know:

• As of July 31,2008, there were an estimated 74,000 children in California's Foster Care System; 50% of which have been in the system since before the age of five.
• 84% of emancipated youth with become parents before the age of 21.
• 50% of emancipated youth will not graduate from high school.
• Studies show that up to 50% of emancipated youth become homeless with the first 18 months of emancipation.
• Emancipated youth are twice as likely to drop out of high school, face unemployment and incarceration

These statistics tore through me when I first saw them. They are shocking and given the status of our economy can be assumed to be growing. Participating in Gramercy Housing Group allows these same young families the opportunity to have a place to call home; something some of them have never been able to do. They also have the opportunity to sign a real lease, gain two years of positive rental experience, pay affordable rent, enroll their children in our on-site licensed childcare facility and return to school and/or work. Gramercy Housing Group averaged an 8 out of 10 success rate as of 2007 and this years looks even better. I am reminded daily of how blessed I am and am humbled every day that I walk through the doors at Gramercy Housing Group. And on behalf of all the staff and families of GHG, we thank all those who have supported our program not only financially, but by volunteering time, leading life skills groups and of course donations of clothing, toys and other items. There is a place for everyone at Gramercy Housing Group! I encourage you to take a look at our Volunteer/Give page and see where you fit in. With our economy, it is equally as hard for us to ask for monetary donations. But please know that every little bit counts and really does go a long way. Thank you for fighting with us and here's to creating homes for young families for years to come!

September 2008

Emancipated Foster Youth- Traci’s story

Traci was born into a broken family.  Her mother, stepfather and 3 siblings were often homeless, moving between motels and shelters regularly.  Traci’s mom had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder years before, and her disability created a hardship for the family, particularly for Traci.

Family Separation

One morning at 3 am, Traci and her 3 younger sisters were observed by police as they walked the streets of LA, homeless, pushing a shopping cart. They were brought into police custody for questioning.  DCFS was brought in and soon their family would be split up and sent into Foster Care.

Foster Care’s Revolving Door

“For a while it seemed like the revolving door of Foster Care placement would never end,” Traci said.  The separation from family proved difficult for her. Traci recalls the trials of finding a suitable placement: “One family didn’t speak English, one lady treated me like an indentured servant, and many others just had too many kids. I was placed into 5 or 6 homes before I knew it.”  It would be months before Traci would find a stable home with an appropriate family.

Temporary Home Coming

3 months after Traci settled into a new life with a foster care placement, her mom managed to save enough money to secure a one-room single and regained custody over Traci and her younger sisters.  Shortly after, she found a more spacious, low-income apartment where the family would remain for the next four years.  Still, life back with her mom and sisters proved difficult. “We just couldn’t seem to get along,” says Traci.  “We were always arguing and fighting and I just couldn’t take it anymore, so I left.”

Making a Life of Her Own

Even though she was only 16, Traci moved in with a friend and began to look for work.  Soon afterward, she learned she was pregnant.  “Things seemed peaceful for a while until I learned my sisters were removed from my mom again.  They had scabies.”   When Traci went to a court hearing for her mom, it was discovered she was a minor.  DCFS quickly moved to place her back into foster care where she would endure another round of foster care placements. 

Back In the System

 “I ended up in a placement in Compton, far from my family,” Traci recalls.  “I was so afraid I would go into labor with my baby.”  Traci’s foster parents understood her concerns and allowed her to spend more time with her mom, who by then managed to regain custody of Traci’s 3 sisters.

Gramercy Housing Group

With the baby soon to arrive, Traci became increasingly diligent about finding a permanent place to live before her baby was born. Through a friend, she learned of housing opportunities at Gramercy Housing Group (GHG).  “I called and remember speaking with Atta’ya, GHG’s Executive Director,” say’s Traci.  “She was so nice, helping me to make phone calls as well as helping me fill out paperwork so I could secure an apartment at GHG.” 

It would be a couple of months before the courts would approve Traci’s request for emancipation and subsequent transition to GHG.

Because Traci was still a minor, Gramercy Housing Group had to convince a judge to allow her to live at GHG.  They assisted Traci with letters to the court detailing why Traci’s transition to GHG would be beneficial for her and what set GHG apart from other programs.

After many meetings, Traci’s request was approved.

Traci has been at GHG for two months now.  Her baby, Nyla was born in July and she is busy learning her new role as mom and caretaker.  “I want people to know that I am committed to creating a better life for me and my daughter.  I’ve made many mistakes along the way, but I’m a strong person.  We’ll be ok.”

Through all of the trials, Traci has kept a positive outlook on life, helping all of those around her and learning to thrive on her own.  We applaud her efforts and look forward to hearing more about her continued progress.

About Gramercy Housing Group

Gramercy Housing Group’s mission is to reduce family homelessness by providing service enriched affordable housing to assist young families in transitioning to their own permanent homes.  For more information please visit www.gramercyhousinggroup.org

“Rotary of Inglewood sends Spring Cheer”

	Thanks to the Inglewood Rotary for providing each of our families with hand crafted Spring baskets filled to the brim with toys that had each child’s age and gender in mind. Their thoughtful and generous contribution brought joy to all of our families.

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