Union Station is Building Stability through Skills, Support, and Housing

a group of two women and two men standing in front of a blue wall, while one woman holds up a certificate

A participant graduates from Union Station’s Life Skills & Job Readiness Program.

As we enter a new fiscal year, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our supporters, volunteers, partners, and incredible staff for the hard work they’ve done over the past year.

Together we provided services to 3,941 people in our community, helping our neighbors find stability, food, support, and a place to call home. Approximately 1,170 people moved into permanent housing. That’s a huge win for all of us.

I am proud to work alongside a community that values its neighbors. I saw that support and selflessness firsthand during the Eaton Fire, when so many of you volunteered your time, donated essential items, and showed up for people who had lost so much.

Through the Eaton Fire Housing Assistance Program, Union Station has distributed more than $500,000 to impacted neighbors. Those funds helped cover first and last month’s rent, credit card debt, furniture and appliance replacement, and other urgent needs that helped people begin to get back on their feet.

This wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Jewish Federation Foundation of Los Angeles, Goldhirsh Foundation (LA 2050 Challenge), California Fire Foundation, Skylight Foundation, and countless others who stepped forward when our community needed it most.

These are a few highlights that I am proud of. They reflect what our team, our community, and our neighbors have accomplished together. But the year ahead will look different.

We are facing a $9M loss in federal funding. That means we will be working with a budget that is 20% smaller than it was last year. It means we will have fewer resources to serve people and fewer resources to help people get off the street.

That is the honest reality.

This requires us to be creative, focused, and grounded in the kind of work Union Station has been doing for decades.

In our strategic plan, we identified key priorities for the years ahead:

• Workforce Development

• Food Services

• Behavioral Health Services Integration

• Housing Development & Affordable Housing Availability

• Prevention & Early Intervention

We have already put some of these priorities into action with our Food Services Program expansion, our first Culinary Training Program, and Our Life Skills & Job Training Program.

These programs are already working.

All participants in the first Culinary Training Program received their Food Handler Certification, and 28 participants completed our Life Skills & Job Training program. Several participants have secured job interviews, received promotions, enrolled in GED programs, nursing programs, and peer support specialist programs.

We have already put some of these priorities into action with our Food Services Program expansion, our first Culinary Training Program, and Our Life Skills & Job Training Program.

These programs are already working.

These are just a few examples of what is possible when we stay focused on the areas we can control.

Union Station is strong. Our community is resilient. And even in a difficult year ahead, we will remain committed to our mission, committed to our neighbors, and committed to keeping people connected to the services and opportunities they deserve.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our community.