Recap the Sharing Gathering on April 18th – April 2026

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Friend of CHOA,

Continuing to engage with housing in Arcadia is making a difference.  We can begin to see the housing changes in Arcadia, and there is so much more coming.  CHOA continues to share what is happening with housing in Arcadia.

Here’s what is in this newsletter

  1. Recap of the Sharing Gathering on April 18th: We are grateful to Mayor Eileen Wang for joining us, Lieutenant Tony Juarez for sharing with us, and 2 LACADA housing navigators attending our gathering.  It was good to be back with Arcadia Congregational United Church of Christ, as they hosted us.  See the above picture of those who came, and read below for a longer summary of our time together..
  2. National Day of Prayer – Thursday, May 7th, at 7pm: The Arcadia Interfaith Action Group will have their prayer gathering on National Day of Prayer.  Find more details below.
  3. Women’s League of Voters of Pasadena are having a fundraising event on Saturday, May 9th, from 11am to 2pm.  They are inviting Naomi Hirahara – author of the novel Crown City – and her mother Mayumi Hirahara, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing.  Yes, this is on Mother’s Day weekend.  Read more about this event below.

Peace,
–Mike Veerman
CHOA Team Lead

The CHOA team presented in the chapel of Arcadia Congregational UCC.

Recap of the Sharing Gathering on April 18th


CHOA had our 8th Sharing Gathering on April 18th. Arcadia Congregational United Church of Christ graciously hosted us.  We had a small gathering of 14 people, but each person makes a difference, and an impact.  The feedback we got emphasized the effort and content shared was helpful and informative.

The key takeaways are:

  • We are challenged from Scripture that God wants people of faith to show tangible acts of love and hope.  There are just so many people struggling and are vulnerable in regards to housing. We need to do something and make continued effort to see positive change.
  • More dense housing is a positive option to bring more housing that people can afford to Arcadia. CHOA welcomes this change.  The CHOA team explained the many new affordable housing projects coming to Arcadia.
  • We need to address homelessness in Arcadia.  The CHOA team shared resources that are available in Arcadia for people that are unhoused.
Pastor Jolene Cadenbach of Arcadia Congregational UCC opened our gathering with a Scriptural reflection and prayer.

We were honored to have Mayor Eileen Wang stop by to visit our gathering. See the photo at the top of this newsletter.  Building relationships and communication with City Councilmembers is key to housing advocacy.  City Council recognizes and listens to our perspectives.

Lieutenant Tony Juarez of the Arcadia Police Department sharing with CHOA

We were so grateful to have Lieutenant Tony Juarez from the Arcadia Police Department came and spoke. See the picture above. The gathering was pleased to hear how Arcadia PD is thoughtful in their responses to calls regarding people that are unhoused.  Some of the key points are shared below:

  • De-escalation: Lt. Juaraez recognized that the officer’s uniform often presents a barrier so each officer needs to build trust in each encounter. 
  • HELPS program – 14 Officers choose to be on the Homeless Education Liaison Program (HELP) team part-time. They focus on best approaches to those who are unhoused.  Their goal is to make each encounter improve each person’s situation.  Arcadia PD recognizes that people who are unhoused are people first.  Arcadia PD also recognizes that sitting on a bench is not a crime.  Talking loudly is not a crime.  Walking in front of a property is not a crime.
  • HOST LA County program – As resources are available and the need arise, Arcadia PD connects with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) as well.
New Resource web page designed to give you quick information.

The CHOA team also presented on the following:

  • Resource pages on the CHOA website: These are meant for you and your church to assist others you know, or if you are approached by a person who is unhoused. See the screen shot below on where to find these on the CHOA website menu.  You can find these at this link: https://choaarcadia.org/resources/
  • Affordable Housing: There are so many affordable housing (both general and senior) units already built or coming soon in the next few years.  Continue to review our “Affordable Housing Placement” Resource web page for updated information, such as contacts.
  • Eviction Prevention: CHOA wants to bring to everyone’s attention that the City of Arcadia can assist on a one-time basis.  If you know of someone who is struggling to make rent or other payments, especially if they are at-risk of having no place to go, review our “Eviction Prevention” Resource web page.
  • Homelessness – Case Management: Gratefully, the City of Arcadia contracts LACADA to provide housing navigation to the people who are unhoused in Arcadia.  They build trust, they connect people to services, and even housing, when they are ready.  Review this Resource page to get LACADA contact info if you are approached by a person who is unhoused.
  • Homelessness – Other Services: Obviously, people who are unhoused need a lot of services, in paths to deciding to return to housing.  There are groups and organizations in and around Arcadia that provide connection and services.  For example, for the past 15 years, we have had a group that provides breakfast for people who are unhoused on Mondays and Fridays at Arcadia parks.  Other organizations provide temporary housing and other services.  The CHOA team also presented how even health care plans (insurance) can provide some services as well.  To learn more, review this Resource web page.

If you missed our gathering, you can still see the handout and slides on our Events web page, see the link below.  Even just skimming the slides will give you a feel of the changes coming to Arcadia, and where resources are provided.

https://choaarcadia.org/events

CHOA team member Diego Rublacava-Alvarez presenting on Eviction Prevention, and the budget for housing in the city of Arcadia.

National Day of Prayer – Thursday, May 7th, 7pm


The Arcadia Interfaith Action Group (AIAG) invites the faith community to join them for prayer on the National Day of Prayer, on Thursday, May 7th, at 7pm.  The gathering will be at Temple Beth David in Temple City.  The address is 9677 Longden Ave, Temple City, CA 91780.

This will be a different approach.  It will be an evening of music representing the different faiths.  AIAG is a group of 7 faiths: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, and Baha’i.

The theme will be “Peace begins with you”.  Come to pray together.

The League of Women Voters – Sat., May 9th, 11am to 2pm


The Pasadena League of Women Voters will have a “Crown City Tea and Tradition” lunch fundraiser on Saturday, May 9th, from 11am to 2pm.  The event will be at the Chado Team Room, at 79 N. Raymond, Pasadena.  Seating is limited. Tickets are $50. See the flier further below.

They are inviting mystery writer Naomi Hirahara – recipient of the Edgar Award for her novel Crown City.  She will be joined by her mother, Mayumi Hirahara, a Hiroshima survivor.  And yes, this is on Mother’s Day weekend!

To register, go to the link below.

Register for the May 9th League of Women Voters event