Orange County Community Housing Corp

*Provide residents with the services and resources needed during uncertain times such as payment plans, budgeting, assist in resume building, interviews and/or connecting residents to employment opportunities that will assist in getting them on a path to self-sufficiency
*Remove barriers to sustainable homeownership through the provision of one-on-one counseling sessions creating individual action plans focused on the 4 C’s of financial progress that will lead to homeownership and assisting each of our families in unique financial circumstances with the financial education to become potential homebuyers.
*Provide 24 bilingual workshops to at least 300 individuals and a Community Resources Event focusing on budgeting, financial education & homeownership empowering individuals to take control of their financial future and gain access t o capital and banking services while also providing the necessary steps needed to step up to homeownership including the FREE 8-hour workshops that meets the National Industry Standards for homeownership education.
*5 families will step up to homeownership

The Torres family was interested in purchasing their first home, but didn’t realize the steps needed to become a homeowner. At SteppingUP, they learned how to reduce debt, improve their credit and build wealth that would assist in purchasing their first home. The program assisted in teaching them how they could reduce their debt, raise their FICO score and increase savings that would assist for a down payment of their first home!

MEET Dolores...
Dolores moved to OCCHC as a single mom in need of a home. While living at OCCHC, Dolores learned how to repair her credit, graduated from CSUF and became a homeowner. She shares:

"Growing up, I was not educated on the rules and guidelines of credit. After my divorce, I was left with two young children to support, which left me in a financial crisis. I didn't fully understand how to read, disput and take care of my credit until OCCHC/SteppingUP. I am extremely grateful for the home that OCCHC provided for me and my children."

*Serve 450 at-risk youth through academic advising, weekly one-on-ones and group sessions hosted throughout the school year at 3 sites located in Huntington Beach, Garden Grove & Buena Park.
*Graduate 100% of CAP’s high school seniors on-time & provide adequate and accurate information to assist in the selection of a higher learning institution that best meets each student's needs with an understanding of the college admissions and financial aid.
*Provide virtual workshops including career days, virtual summer boot camps, senior celebration, college tours and alumni panels to our youth.
*Track CAP’s 300+ alumni and provide check in’s, event gatherings and create a mentorship opportunity to pair up recent college graduates with CAP alumni at the same universities to ease the transition to college; ensure college completion.
*PADRE will educate parents on the importance of their involvement in their child’s education, connecting them with schools and resources that will improve their future while also educating parents and students on creating a budget and how to plan and pay for college that will assist in planning for their financial future when choosing a college.
*Promote financial literacy to CAP students and parents educating on creating a budget and how to plan and pay for college that will assist in planning for their financial future while also educating on the importance of their involvement in their child's education, connecting them with schools and resources that will aid in the process.

MEET Amayrani
During her first year at UCLA, Amayrani, a first-generation student, felt lost and had trouble finding a connection to the campus. She felt that it wasn’t for her and wanted to give up. During a check-in, SteppingUP advisors connected Amayrani to another SteppingUP alumni from UCLA, Lucia, who shared her experiences and introduced Amayrani to the groups that she was engaged with when she was at UCLA. Amayrani was also connected with a counselor on campus who helped her manage her class schedule. Our SteppingUP staff continued to provide Amayrani with guidance and resources, and in 2022, Amayrani was selected as a “B” Bolder Intern with Clearinghouse CDFI where she learned how to work in a professional setting and received real life job skills that helped build a solid foundation for her future success.

We’re excited to share that Amayrani joined our team as an intern in 2023! During her time with us, she focused on researching and implementing strategies to increase our alumni college completion rate. This included looking at what can be done on both the preventative and intervention sides. One of the projects that Amayrani created was a College Guide for our senior graduates. We believe that Amayrani’s struggles, experiences and intellect gave her insight into what our SteppingUP students need to succeed and achieve their post-secondary goals.

UPDATE: In 2024, Amayrani graduated from UCLA within 3 years with a double major in Education & Social Transformation! Congratulations Amayrani!

*Stabilize affordable housing for over 300 underserved families (over 1,200 individuals) once facing homelessness.
*Preservation of affordability for over 314 housing units at 28 sites housing at-risk families.
*Collaboration with local non-profits and housing shelters to transition 100 individuals of at-risk families to OCCHC who are in need of a stable and affordable place to call home.
*Continued efforts on the creation of permanent affordable housing with continued efforts on the acquisition, rehabilitation and creation of additional affordable housing throughout Orange County.

A SAFE PLACE TO CALL HOME
Mrs. Peralta shares, “Having affordable rent has alleviated our financial stress; we were constantly worried about how we were going to make ends meet. Best of all, we don’t have to share a home with outside people in order to be able to afford our rent. My children do not have to worry about disturbing others or their privacy.”

Not only did the Peralta Family find a safe place to call home, but they also found OCCHC’s signature program, SteppingUP. Their daughter, Lizbeth, joined the program in 6th grade where she was provided with academic advisors who guided her on a path to college and opportunities that would help her plan for her future. Lizbeth maintained above a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, interned at Boeing, and gave back to her community by helping girls learn about robotics at Oak View Elementary in Huntington Beach. She was also a panelist during SteppingUP’s summer boot camp where she shared her high school journey and tips for success with current program participants.

Lizbeth is now the first in her family to step up to college with a FULL RIDE to JOHNS HOPKINS University where she will major in Mechanical Engineering. Lizbeth is a shining example to our students and our future! You continue to make the difference! Thank you for your continued support of SteppingUP!