Sacramento Self-Help Housing receives DSP Community Service Award
SACRAMENTO, CA (January 29, 2015) – DSP to recognize Sacramento Self-Help Housing (SSHH) as the recipient of the 2015 JVance Stewart Award during the State of Downtown, happening on February 10.
SSHH is recognized for their impactful initiatives to assist homeless individuals, including their Cathedral Shelter program, Common Cents Interim Housing program, and Serial Inebriate Program. For the past 10 years, the SSHH’s Cathedral Shelter program has partnered with the DSP Navigator Team to provide temporary shelter for their homeless clients and connect them with SSHH case workers to find affordable housing. The program has assisted approximately 500 individuals with their transition off the streets into housing.
“The DSP Navigator Program measures success by the number of people we reconnect with housing and services,” said Dion Dwyer, DSP Director of Community Services. “Because housing is the only way to solve homelessness, SSHH is essential to our mission.”
About Sacramento Self-Help Housing (SSHH)
Sacramento Self-Help Housing assists persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to find and retain stable and affordable housing. In January 2015, SSHH launched the Common Cents Interim Housing program to provide short-term housing for Veterans and chronically homeless individuals while case workers develop plans for overcoming the client’s barriers to permanent housing and provide appropriate services.
For homeless individuals struggling with persistent alcohol abuse and subsequent criminal charges, the Serial Inebriate Program provides a harm reduction, housing first model of assistance. SSHH provides housing for serial inebriates while connecting them with essential medical and mental health services they need to recover and stabilize.
About the JVance Stewart Community Service Award
The Downtown Sacramento Partnership (DSP) established the JVance Stewart Community Service Award in 2014 to recognize an organization or individual that demonstrates a passion for enhancing the lives of others through service and philanthropy, while improving the quality of life within the downtown core.
JVance Stewart was a dedicated member of the DSP Navigator Team from its inception, serving as its very first homeless outreach worker. From 2006 until 2011, JVance walked the streets of Downtown Sacramento, engaging and assisting homeless individuals who were in desperate need of housing, clothing, and food. With his street smarts and genuine concern for others, JVance was able to connect many of the area’s chronic homeless with vital services and housing solutions. His legacy continues through the Navigator homeless outreach team and is honored with this annual award.
About the State of Downtown
Produced by the DSP, the State of Downtown attracts an audience of over 600 business professionals and community leaders. The event previews downtown revitalization initiatives and projects, and serves as a stimulus for exchanging ideas and prioritizing goals for the central business district. This year’s event will feature Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, Keynote Speaker Mark Rowland, as well as the JVance Stewart Award presentation.
The 2015 State of Downtown will be held at the Memorial Auditorium on February 10 at 8:00 am. Tickets are available at www.downtownsac.org/sod2015. Follow the discussion on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #2015SOD.
The State of Downtown event is sponsored by Lyon Real Estate, CBRE, CIM, Colliers International, Downtown Sacramento Plaza, SMUD, Comstock’s Magazine and Sactown Magazine.