On Dec. 1, Ascencia opened its 80-bed shelter to homeless adults. Part of Los Angeles County’s 1500 bed seasonal shelter program, the opening came just as overnight temperatures were forecast to dip to 34 degrees.

In a departure from prior years, the program has moved from the Glendale Armory in downtown Glendale to Ascencia’s original location in south Glendale. In late October the agency moved its Access Center and year-round emergency housing program a mile east to a new facility the agency owns. With the help of the City of Glendale, Ascencia retained the lease on its old home so that it could operate the winter shelter there this year. Due to size limitations, 70 people will stay at the Fernando Court location and 10 people who would otherwise qualify for Ascencia’s year-round program will stay at the Tyburn street location.

“We are extremely grateful to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, and the cities of Glendale and Burbank for the funding to launch this program. We also must acknowledge the incredible contribution of food by Glendale Whole Foods and our volunteer guest chefs. Their support truly makes this program possible,” said Ascencia’s Executive Director Natalie Komuro.

Clients using the winter shelter program will be strongly encouraged to take advantage of Ascencia’s services at its Access Center. These services include on-site advocacy for benefits, employment counseling, trauma therapy and psychiatry. Clients will also be referred to partner agencies for legal assistance, job development and primary health care.

As in prior years, Ascencia’s street outreach team will expand their services to Burbank under a contract with the City of Burbank.

Interested volunteers are welcome to contact Sarah Joung at sjoung@AscenciaCA.org. For more information, visit www.AscenciaCA.org.