(top) Children choose toys during the opening of Upward Bound House’s new Toy Loan Library on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. (above) Santa Monica Councilmember Bobby Shriver (right) and Upward Bound House Executive Director David Snow get shot with bubbles during the opening ceremony.

Children who participate in the Toy Loan Program at Upward Bound House are able to “check out” toys from “Toyrarians” at the center. After a week, youngsters receive a “good mark” if he or she returns their toy on time and undamaged. After earning 20 “good marks,” children are rewarded with a brand new toy. Individuals, toy manufacturers and other companies donate new and refurbished toys for the free program. The Toy Loan Program helps to develop a sense of responsibility in children through the observance of an honor code and merit system that gives praise and recognition when toys are returned on time and undamaged. It foster positive attitudes in children by providing them an accepted means of obtaining toys. It benefit children by keeping their spare time wholesomely occupied with a variety of toys and itinvolve the adult and teenage community in the needs of youth in their areas through voluntary commitment of time and resources to assist the children. The success of this concept has been demonstrated over the years and is supported by the fact that the majority of children who borrow toys from the centers return them in good condition and on time. “The focus of our program is on children,” said David Snow, Executive Director of Upward Bound House. “This terrific partnership will bring joy to countless kids. We are honored to partner with the County on this innovative program.” The Toy Loan program is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Public Social Services

The mission of Upward Bound House, which is headquartered in Santa Monica, is to eliminate homelessness among families with children in Los Angeles by providing housing, supportive services and advocacy. Since 1997, more than 1,000 individuals – including over 600 children – have graduated from Upward Bound House and are no longer homeless. Later this year, Upward Bound House will be opening an emergency shelter for families with children in Culver City, which will serve over 220 individuals a year.

(1) David Snow, Upward Bound House (UBH) Executive Director, welcomes guests during Upward Bound House' Ground breaking Ceremony of its new Emergency Family Shelter in Culver City on Thursday, March 12, 2009. (2) Santa Monica Councilmember Bobby Shriver and Los Angeles Councilmember Bill Rosendahl discuss the rendering of the future Upward Bound House  family Shelter. (3) (left to right) Culver City Mayor Scott Malsin, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, and UBH Executive Director David Snow hold a shovel while posing for a portrait during the ground breaking ceremony. (4) UBH President of the Board, Booker Pearson, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and UBH Executive Director David Snow during the presentation. (5) The artist rendition of the future Upward Bound House Emergency Family Shelter.

The UBH Family Shelter will provide 18 units for children and their families, plus 2 units for on site staff. The facility will serve approximately 210 children and their parents each year.

About Upward Bound House: UBH is a community-based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit social service agency located in Santa Monica California that provides affordable housing for homeless families with children and very low-income seniors. Founded in 1990, the non-denominational agency fulfills its mission through three programs. Family Place, a transitional housing facility for homeless families with minor children has graduated over 850 individuals, including over 525 children from the program into permanent, independent housing since opening in 1997. Senior Villa, an affordable housing facility for the very low-income elderly houses 90 individuals every night. And the S. Mark Taper Intergenerational Center, which brings together the three generations housed at Upward Bound House, where they interact and receive services that enable each resident to lead an enriched, empowered, and independent life.

(top) Karen Benjamin and Alan Chapman perform Broadway classics during the Upward Bound House's Welcome Home Gala fundraiser at at the Broad Stage on October 23, 2008. The event honored Dee Menzies, the Families and Faculty of Carlthrop School with the Humanitarian Award. (center) Carlthorp School 's Fourth Grade Students perform "Give My Regards To Broadway," during the Welcome Home Gala. (above) Master of Ceremonies, Leanza Cornet performs during the closing ceremony. UBH is a community-based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit social service agency located in Santa Monica California that provides affordable housing for homeless families with children and very low-income seniors. Founded in 1990, the non-denominational agency fulfills its mission through three programs. Family Place, a transitional housing facility for homeless families with minor children has graduated over 850 individuals, including over 525 children from the program into permanent, independent housing since opening in 1997. Senior Villa, an affordable housing facility for the very low-income elderly houses 90 individuals every night. And the S. Mark Taper Intergenerational Center, which brings together the three generations housed at Upward Bound House, where they interact and receive services that enable each resident to lead an enriched, empowered, and independent life.

(1) David Snow, Executive Director  of Upward Bound House  (left) gives California State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas  (26th District) a private tour of UBH on Thursday, March 20, 2008. (2) Program Director of Upward Bound House  Tracey Woodburry (left) shows  the Senator a  one-bedroom apartment unit during  his  tour.  Senator Ridley-Thomas’s district covers Culver City where UBH will be opening a new emergency shelter for families with minor children. Upward Bound House recently completed a $3.5M capital campaign to purchase and convert the SunBay Motel into an emergency shelter. The Culver City Council voted on January 14th, 2008 to approve the project. The new facility – the only on the Westside of Los Angeles for families with children – will be a vital resource to the growing number of families in crisis in the region. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2008, the UBH Family Shelter will serve 240 individuals each year, including over 125 children, and will be the only program of its kind on the Westside of Los Angeles. This facility will complement the agency’s 21-unit transitional facility located in Santa Monica By offering both emergency and transitional housing, UBH will operate a distinctive ‘continuum of care’ that guides families from crisis into stability. In addition to providing housing, the program will feature intensive case management. "Families will meet with their case managers on a daily basis," said Tracy Woodburry, the agency’s Program Director. "Our goal is to get families stabilized and into permanent housing as quickly as possible."  "We are pleased that Senator Ridley-Thomas supports our work and recognizes how difficult an issue homelessness is in Los Angeles. Every night in Los Angeles County, there are more than 10,000 homeless children, many living in conditions unfit for human habitation. His tireless advocacy on behalf of homelessness is critical to our ability to provide services. Homelessness is everyone’s challenge," said David Snow, the Executive Director of Upward Bound House.  About Upward Bound House: UBH is a community-based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit social service agency located in Santa Monica California that provides affordable housing for homeless families with children and very low-income seniors. Founded in 1990, the non-denominational agency fulfills its mission through three programs. Family Place, a transitional housing facility for homeless families with minor children has graduated over 850 individuals, including over 525 children from the program into permanent, independent housing since opening in 1997. Senior Villa, an affordable housing facility for the very low-income elderly houses 90 individuals every night. And the S. Mark Taper Intergenerational Center, which brings together the three generations housed at Upward Bound House, where they interact and receive services that enable each resident to lead an enriched, empowered, and independent life.