LA County Spotlights Star Apartments

A Star Turn from Los Angeles County Newsroom on Vimeo.

Los Angeles County Newsroom visited the Star Apartments to talk with residents and staff to learn more about the innovative complex. Named one of TIME’s best inventions of 2015, the Star Apartments is a product of Skid Row Housing Trust’s pioneering partnership with Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, which identifies and refers individuals to the Star who were homeless and frequent utilizers of its emergency health services. Watch to find out why the Star is a nationally recognized model studied by organizations and local governments seeking to address the root causes of homelessness in their communities.

Marinello Salon Day

Every second Wednesday of the month, Marinello School of Beauty offers free haircuts, styling and manicures to Skid Row Housing Trust residents. It is a great opportunity for the Marinello students to gain experience while giving back to the community. Residents receive a day of pampering that helps them gain confidence. “You can see how proud residents feel about getting a haircut or a shave,” said Brent Smith, a Peer Advocate. “To see someone with a smile like they have makes me feel the joy that they are feeling. I’m so glad that I can be a part of this.”

Grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for Long-Term Support of Residents

We are proud to announce that the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation awarded the Trust a two-year, $400,000 grant to improve our wrap-around supportive services, allowing us to better address the long-term needs of residents who struggle with chronic health conditions. While the security of a permanent home is the first step towards safety, stability and wellness, ongoing access to essential health services is critical to a better quality of life that will last. For instance, the Trust has been developing “aging in place” strategies to help the increasing number of older residents continue living independently for as long as possible, including targeted workshops on depression, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and home safety. With the support of the Hilton Foundation, we will continue working to identify and fill gaps in our outreach, housing, and health services so that we can continue breaking the cycle of homelessness and hospitalization.

The Hilton Foundation was created in 1944 by international business pioneer Conrad N. Hilton, who founded Hilton Hotels and left his fortune to help the world’s disadvantaged and vulnerable people. The Foundation currently conducts strategic initiatives in six priority areas: providing safe water, ending chronic homelessness, preventing substance use, helping children affected by HIV and AIDS, supporting transition-age youth in foster care, and extending Conrad Hilton’s support for the work of Catholic Sisters. In addition, following selection by an independent international jury, the Foundation annually awards the $2 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to a nonprofit organization doing extraordinary work to reduce human suffering. From its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants, distributing $100 million in the U.S. and around the world in 2014. The Foundation’s current assets are approximately $2.5 billion. For more information, please visit www.hiltonfoundation.org.

Amos Sandifer: The Newly Housed

KCRW: Who lives on Skid Row—on and off the streets? KCRW’s Lisa Napoli brings us this portrait from the heart of the neighborhood: San Pedro Street. In this portrait, Lisa finds out how one man got off the streets—and what challenges remain.

Day of Beauty at the Star Apts by Marinello

Marinello Day of Beauty

The wonderful team from Marinello Schools of Beauty in Downtown LA donated their time to give our residents a day of pampering! We hope to have these days on a regular basis.

Starting Over at Las Americas

Novel program rescues Skid Row’s most vulnerable