Summer LISC AmeriCorps Program

Building the capacity of the community development field and its future means investing in the next generation of practitioners, advocates and leaders. LISC LA implements the AmeriCorps program as a means to introduce emerging and experienced leaders to the field of community development, while providing local organizations with additional human capital to accomplish key programmatic goals. It’s more evident today that the great recession of 2008 had an impact on slowing the production of affordable housing in the greater Los Angeles region but it has also diluted the pool of talent available to do and lead the important work of housing production today. Now more than ever, neighborhoods and organizations need practitioners to build affordable housing, strengthen economic landscapes and forge toward bold visions for creating thriving people and places.

In 2019, California’s affordable housing crisis continues to be a top consideration for legislators and voters. With new local taxes and state programs, Los Angeles is poised to see new and expanding affordable housing capital, a majority of which is for permanent supportive housing, to the tune of $5B+ over the next ten years. This represents a great opportunity for our nonprofit partners but too many of them don’t have the staff and internal capacity to handle this capital and deal flow boon that is coming their way.

Last Summer, we launched the Los Angeles LISC Housing Initiative Internship program with the intention to attract and retain new, promising individuals to the field of affordable housing project management. The Program meets the double bottom line of increasing the number of affordable housing units and developing the industry’s talent bench. 

The Los Angeles LISC Housing Initiative Internship Program required that the members served at their host organization for 450 hours from June-September. LA LISC provided three days of training with partners from City of LA Planning Department, City of LA Housing and Community Investment Department, UCLA, Boston Private Bank, Wells Fargo,  Housing Authority of the City of LA,  and many of our partner community development organizations. For the final day, all of the members were able to attend the annual SCANPH conference to network and enhance their learning experience.

All of our AmeriCorps members held the title of Assistant Project Manager (APM) for their respective organizations and, as you will see below, have a passion for community and housing development.

LISC AMERICORPS MEMBER: MANDALYN MENDOZA
LISC AMERICORPS HOST SITE: INNOVATIVE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

Madalyn served at Innovative Housing Opportunities for the internship program. Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO) is a Southern California nonprofit affordable housing developer, engaged in the well-being of low to moderate-income individuals and families for over four decades. 

After the Summer program, Madalyn enrolled in an additional 900 hour LISC AmeriCorps position for another 10 months with Innovative Housing Opportunities to continue working as an APM. She is also currently finishing her Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from UC Irvine.

LISC AMERICORPS MEMBER: SERGIO ROSAS
LISC AMERICORPS HOST SITE: PATH VENTURES

Sergio served at PATH Ventures. PATH Ventures is a recognized leader in creating high-quality, affordable and stable homes for people struggling with the high-cost of housing in California, particularly families and individuals experiencing homelessness. 

Sergio is currently finishing his Master of Urban and Regional Planning program at the University of California, Irvine.

LISC AMERICORPS MEMBER: PAMELA THORNTON
LISC AMERICORPS HOST SITE: NEW ECONOMICS FOR WOMEN

Pamela Thornton served at New Economics for Women. New Economics for Women is committed to helping transform lives of the community, including Latinas and their families, with cutting edge and sustainable pathways to success. 

LISC AMERICORPS MEMBER: SONYA ANDREW
LISC AMERICORPS HOST SITE: LINC HOUSING CORPORATION

Sonya served at LINC Housing Corporation. LINC Housing has a 34-year history of creating communities for thousands of families and seniors throughout California. LINC is committed to building and preserving housing that is affordable, environmentally sustainable, and a catalyst for community improvement. 

Sonya is currently at Cal State Long Beach finishing her Master’s in Public Administration.

LISC AMERICORPS MEMBER: KRISTIN JOHNSON
LISC AMERICORPS HOST SITE: A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS

Kristin served at A Community of Friends. A Community of Friends is committed to managing its buildings and supporting its tenants from the moment a project is conceived until it is fully occupied, providing permanent affordable housing with onsite supportive services to help tenants remain stably housed.

As a result of this LISC AmeriCorps program, Kristin is now a proud Assistant Project Manager at ACOF (A Community of Friends).