Welcome from the CEO
From the Office of the President & CEO
As we enter 2010, the Weingart Center Association is looking ahead at the next quarter century and how we plan to combat poverty and break the cycle of homelessness. We are in the final stages of completing an ambitious 25-year strategic plan, which seeks to expand our ability to transform lives by offering more services for families and youth, and to provide permanent supportive housing for individuals graduating from transitional programs.
We do this amid a climate of financial pessimism, when families are worried about their own ability to maintain housing and jobs, and are feeling less able to fund someone else’s future. Many of our supporters have wondered how the economy is affecting Weingart Center Association, and if it is increasing demand or reducing availability of our services.
The majority of our funding comes from local, state and Federal programs. We have seen some sources disappear entirely, while others have been reduced and application processes have become more competitive. To address this, we are engaging more actively with government agencies to ensure that we are considered for available funding. In March I visited Washington, D.C., representing our organization at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce’s “Southern California on the Hill – Access Washington, D.C.” conference, putting Weingart Center Association and the homeless population of Los Angeles at the table from the highest level on down.
On the private side, we are continuing to renew foundation applications where appropriate, and exploring new corporate and foundation sources that fit our programs. While many private funders have less available to give, we are ensuring that our organization remains competitive by offering comprehensive solutions with demonstrated success.
We recognize that the changing times require a nimble organization that can respond appropriately. We continually evaluate our operational expenses to ensure that we are able to offer consistent quality of service in the most efficient manner.
At the same time, expectations are increasing for our programs. High unemployment rates mean that our participants are competing with a large and well-qualified applicant pool for entry-level jobs. We counsel our participants to be patient and persistent, the qualities that ensure success in a tight job market. We are also increasing our efforts to partner with local employers, so they see us as a source of stable employees who have a support structure behind them to help ensure job success.
The challenges are real, but we’re ready to face them… together with our community. Please make room in your budget to attend one of our upcoming events, commit to a monthly pledge, or celebrate a special occasion with a gift to the Weingart Center. Be a part of making transformation happen.
Yours in Service,
Gregory C. Scott
President & Chief Executive Officer
