Many Mansions

THE PROGRAM

From Kindergarten to Graduation, our youth programs seek to break the cycle of poverty through the education and enrichment of low-income youth residing in affordable housing. All children have potential and the right to be supported in their academic achievement, career aspirations, and college planning. Our programs seek to close the gap between the resources children have and the resource they need to succeed and do well in school. 

This program includes after-school tutoring and homework help, STEAM and literacy enrichment activities, summer camp, and free backpacks and school supplies. 

THE NEED

As residents of our affordable housing units, the participants of this program are all low-income. Student range from 5 to 18 years of age and come from many backgrounds: homelessness, poverty, Spanish-speaking households, and single parent families. This program is offered to all Many Mansions residents and is operated at five locations in Ventura County, CA: four in Thousand Oaks and one in Simi Valley. 

THE ASK

Between July 2019 and March 2020, we served 117 children with our normal, in-person programming. Then the pandemic hit. Virtually overnight, we had to shut our door and make the pivot to social distancing measures, which has left our families in the lurch. In this crisis, our parents are struggling with reduced or lost jobs, childcare, virtual schooling, and an overall lack of resources. Our students are struggling with little academic support, frequent technology issues, and social isolation. Our families need this program now more than ever.

That is why From Kindergarten to Graduation has gone virtual. Since March 2020, we’ve been able to provide meals and other food assistance, art and activity kits, technology donations, direct parent support and check-ins, teen volunteer positions, 1-on-1 and small group tutoring, new school supplies, positive social engagement with peers and mentors, and other learning opportunities—all at a safe distance or over Zoom.

But we need your help. 

A $25 dollar gift from you is an investment in the future success of a child in your community. This program is the foundation of that success. It has a proven track record in successfully keeping our children actively engaged in both their own schooling and their community. 

Together, we can ensure that all children who participate in our programming do not fall through the cracks during this unprecedented year.

THE ORGANIZATION

Since 1979, Many Mansions has provided hope and homes to people in need in Ventura County.  We are an affordable housing provider dedicated to bringing our most vulnerable neighbors home. We own and manage over 500 units of rental housing, and we are actively developing hundreds of more in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. 

However, housing is just the first step in the journey to breaking the cycle of poverty. That is why we also provide a wide variety of free residential services, including homework help, food assistance, life and job skills workshops, community building events, and 1-on-1 case manager support.

This combination of housing, services, and education provides a foundation of stability for families to grow and improve their lives together.