GARDEN GROVE ? Thomas House Temporary Shelter celebrated its 25th anniversary with an open house and a plan to house more families.
The shelter is going to buy another apartment building to house families until they get back on their feet financially, officials announced. The program now has 18 apartments in Garden Grove housing 15 families. Two apartments are used for services and a resident manager.
Antonio Rodriguez, 3, front, and his brother Angel, 7, view the Thomas House Temporary Shelter 25-year celebration below. Thomas House Temporary Shelter purchased two apartment units in Garden Grove and use them to assist homeless families and their children. About 95 percent of the homeless families that go through Thomas House do not go back to a shelter.
LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
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Thomas House was founded in 1987 and has helped more than 3,300 people and more than 1,000 families, officials say. About 95 percent of families that go through the program do not return to a shelter.
The open house was held Thursday night, with Thomas House opening the apartments to the public for the first time. Guests included Garden Grove Mayor Dalton, a representative for O.C. Supervisor Janet Nguyen, and Sister Kathy, former executive director of Thomas House for 18 years.
Families that stay with Thomas House for the six to nine months learn about parenting, budgeting and nutrition. Thomas House also provides employment and family counseling, and children's programs.
Tyson and Saira Carlone and their children ages 18 months, 4, and 6, have been living at Thomas House since March and have recently both found jobs. Tyson Carlone had been laid off from his job in November, and his wife had been a stay-at-home mom. The Carlones found Thomas House by calling information while staying at an emergency shelter.
Saira Carlone says the budgeting classes have been extremely useful.
"I feel like (Thomas House) has given me my self confidence back. My biggest weakness is budgeting, finances and all," she said. "Sitting down with them every month going over that has helped us."
Former Thomas House residents Doug and Kathleen Stanley are in the process of buying a house in Stanton. Doug Stanley found a job through the program and his wife is working toward her high school diploma with hopes to become a nursing assistant.
The couple and their children ages 6, 9, and 15, had been living at Doug Stanley's parents house before moving to Thomas House.
Budgeting was new to the Stanleys as well. Before Thomas House, the family would buy new things without considering whether they had the funds, Doug Stanley said.
"We are accounting for every penny that comes into the house," he said. "If you're not paying attention you don't know what you have and what you've spent."
The children got homework help from Thomas House. The family organized a movie night to get to know the neighbors, and though they've moved out of the program, the movie night continues. The Stanleys bring their projector to the apartments and set up family-friendly films.
The support of staff members and other residents has helped Saira Carlone.
"I have had times where I lose hope and wonder if we will ever get through this. It beats you down," she said. "They see potential in us. That's very uplifting."
Information: 714-647-7534 or thomashouseshelter.org
Contact the writer: 714-796-7949 or ejames@ocregister.com
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