VCH Newsletter June 2025

Dear Friends,

June is a time of celebration, reflection, and recommitment. Pride Month honors the strength, joy, and resistance of LGBTQ+ communities, many of whom have long been at the forefront of movements for justice and equity. At Venice Community Housing, we recognize that our mission to build inclusive and equitable communities is deeply intertwined with the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, dignity, and safety.

This month also brings Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and calls us to reflect on the enduring fight for Black freedom and racial justice. At VCH, we know that housing justice is racial justice, and we take this opportunity to recommit ourselves to building communities where everyone can thrive.

At the same time, we remain vigilant and grounded in the realities our communities face. Recent ICE activity in Los Angeles has created new waves of fear and instability for many of our neighbors. These actions threaten the safety and cohesion of communities that already face systemic barriers. They stand in direct opposition to the inclusive city we believe in, where everyone deserves to feel secure, supported, and at home, regardless of immigration status, gender identity, or background.

VCH remains steadfast in our mission to support and protect all members of our community. Thank you for standing with us in this work.

In solidarity and gratitude,
Your friends at VCH

Congratulations to recent Westside Youth Academy graduate, German! German is preparing to enroll in an electrician’s apprenticeship.

Your support directly contributes to our mission to create affordable, inclusive, and just communities—and helps sustain the programs that connect our residents, youth, and neighborhoods every day.

Progress! An aerial image taken earlier this month of construction on our 20th Street Apartments. This site will be home to 78, 100% affordable units, including three-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and one-bedrooms. The project will also have 25 underground parking spaces, 151 bike parking spaces, and two units for on-site property management staff. For questions about 20th Street, please email [email protected].

Get your steps in and join us on July 20 from 8am-1pm for the annual WalkUnitedLA fundraising event at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. WalkUnitedLA is hosted by United Way of Greater Los Angeles in partnership with the Los Angeles Rams. The proceeds from WalkUnitedLA 2025 will benefit recovery efforts from the devastation caused by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires and United Way’s life-changing initiatives focused on pathways for low-income students, families and communities to thrive. To register, go to WalkUnitedLA.org, or join the VCH team here.

Join us on July 27 from 12-6pm, for a day of live music, art, dance, storytelling, food, drinks, and more at Oakwood Park, 767 California Ave, Venice, CA 90291. Venice Artbeat is a not-for-profit festival series that seeks to connect our community’s past and future through storytelling, music, and art.
Proceeds from Venice Artbeat will support affordable housing and community-focused projects in Venice as well as wildfire recovery and anti-displacement efforts across LA County.
Venice Artbeat will donate $1 to these organizations for every RSVP received. Those who RSVP will also be entered to win gifts like merch, signed artwork, VIP access, and more! Admittance is FREE, donations appreciated.

Staff and residents representing VCH at the Juneteenth Community Day at Oakwood Park earlier this month! Learn more about Juneteenth here.

Thank you to all who joined us for our annual Donor Appreciation Event, and to all of our donors who weren’t able to attend! You make all of this possible. Also, call us biased, but we just really like you guys and you’re fun to hang out with.