Downtown Women’s Center Receives Generous $45,000 Economic Mobility Grant from Bank of America

Downtown Women’s Center Receives Generous $45,000 Economic Mobility Grant from Bank of America
Above: DWC Residents Teressa (left) and Francine share a joke in the DWC Residence’s community kitchen.

 

We’re thrilled to announce that we have received a $45,000 economic mobility grant from Bank of America to support our Permanent Supportive Housing program. This funding will contribute to DWC’s mission to end the cycle of women’s homelessness and poverty in Los Angeles.

“With this support from Bank of America, DWC will be able to continue providing 119 units of Permanent Supportive Housing for women experiencing homelessness, a subpopulation with unique service needs,” said Araceli Patino, Director of Permanent Supportive Housing at DWC. “A grant of this size will help us ensure every woman we house has access to the individualized support she needs in order to thrive.”

upport from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will make it possible for DWC to provide individualized housing support to more women experiencing homelessness.
Above: DWC Resident Victoria shows off her apartment. Support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will make it possible for DWC to provide individualized housing support to more women experiencing homelessness.

Women’s homelessness has risen drastically in Los Angeles in recent years. Today, there are nearly 18,000 women living in tents, cars, shelters, and on the streets. Support from Bank of America allows us to provide comprehensive supportive resources that help keep our residents housed, including case management, access to health care and around-the-clock staff support. By taking a Housing First approach, we make it a priority to get homeless women into housing as quickly as possible and then follow up with supportive services as needed.

DWC also aims to house individuals most in need: women with mental or physical illnesses, women who live with physical disabilities, those who have experienced chronic homelessness, and the elderly. DWC’s Residence Case Managers work exclusively with residents to implement individualized wellness plans and connect them with supportive services that include job-readiness training, financial literacy programs, physical and mental health services, and enrolling in public income benefits. (To learn more about our community-based and on-site housing opportunities, head here.)

“Downtown Women’s Center provides an array of invaluable services for women who are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles,” said Raul A. Anaya, Los Angeles market president, Bank of America. “Bank of America is proud to partner with them to help break the cycle of poverty and give women in need the proper tools and resources they need to live a financially stable life.”

DWC provides comfortable spaces for women to build community with one another.
Above: In addition to individualized housing support, DWC provides comfortable spaces for women to build community with one another.

Downtown Women’s Center is among 70 nonprofits receiving funding from Bank of America to help underserved people in Los Angeles chart a path toward greater economic mobility by improving access to food, shelter, benefits, career readiness resources and financial resources for families.

To further recognize Bank of America for their incredible financial support, DWC is pleased to honor Raul Anaya at the upcoming 20th annual Dinner With a Cause fundraising event. Anaya will be recognized for his advocacy around women’s empowerment and his commitment to social responsibility in the LA community. For more information about this event, visit www.DowntownWomensCenter.org/Dinner.

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