Choices in Action
Being Homeless Is Not An Option
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The eradication of homelessness is an ambitious goal, but it remains elusive due to persistent issues such as racial inequality, economic inequality, scholastic inequality, and societal stigma towards mental illness. These factors contribute to the perpetuation of homelessness and create unique psychological and physical traumas for individuals who are unhoused. As such, Choices In Action is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of unhoused individuals by providing housing solutions, supportive services, prevention strategies, empowerment, and engagement opportunities, and advocating for policy changes. By addressing the underlying causes of homelessness and offering comprehensive support, Choices In Action strives to help individuals transition from homelessness to stability and thrive within their communities.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Permanent Housing Solution
Choices In Action is a mobile organization that will serve as an apartment locator and rent negotiator for who are homeless.
Choices In Action will search for one and two-bedroom apartments in financially thriving communities within the cities of Orange County California, negotiate the monthly rental fee 10% - 15% below market value, and provide each program participant with a one-time financial gifts to be used for the apartment security deposit and basic household items.
The Choices In Action Housing Program has the following components:
1. Locate and secure rental apartments
2. Fund motel stays for transition
3. Provide Security Deposit gift for rental apartments
4. Distribute no-cost initial Household Furnishings and supplies
5. Present one-time Nutrition Basket
6. Allocate Case Management Services
Permanent Housing Solution
Choices In Action developed four (4) primary components that will prove useful to unhoused individuals in regard to finding and maintaining a decent place to call home. Because we are a new organization in the movement toward housing the unhoused, we gave thought to the other nuances involved with the financial management, security and pride that goes into having a home. Housing-First / Rapid-Rehousing Model is the evidenced-based practice CIA has integrated in our programming.
Component #1: Apartment Locator and Rent Negotiation Services
Component #2: Provide one-time limited Financial Assistance
Component #3: Assistance with increasing Veterans Administration (VA) Disability Compensation
Component #4: Vocational Training, Employment Placement and Retention Services for youth 18-25
Holistic Case Management
Case Management includes a host of psychological supports
Choices In Action staff will consistently assess and evaluate the needs of the Veterans (before, during, and after housing placement). Not all Veterans receive disability compensation, therefore if a Veteran desires to file a claim, the staff of Choices In Action will lend their expertise by providing education and claim filing assistance.
Additionally, a lack of credit or poor credit may have been the cause of housing displacement. Living in California and not having reliable transportation can impede employment. Therefore, at no cost to program participants, Choices In Action will provide Credit Repair Services which will help Veterans take control of their finances. Depending on the circumstances, some Veterans will become financially sound to the extent of owning their own home with the assistance of VA Home Loans.
Where we work
External reviews
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Choices In Action's Goals
1: To decrease the number of unhoused individuals within Southern California
2: To remove the financial barriers associated with homelessness
3. To foster the ability for program participants to use their skills for employment
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Choices In Action's Strategies:
1. To house 8 individuals each month in permanent rental apartments 10% to 15% below market value
2. To provide program participants with transitional accommodations while waiting for apartment rental tasks to be completed
3. To provide program participants with a security deposit of $600 and to give a gift of new household furnishings
4. To increase self-esteem, financial self-sufficiency and to build human capital
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Choices In Action was not established as a "get rich quick scheme". To date, there has not been one organization that has been able to eradicate homelessness. Choices In Action will not add to the challenges unhoused individuals face as they seek assistance. The founder of Choice In Action has taken her personal negative experiences with negotiating through government systems and developed a mindset of what not to do when providing case management. Additionally, the best way to reach unhoused individuals is to meet them at their physical location. Therefore, Choices In Action was formed as a mobile organization. Each day, the staff of Choices In Action will comb the streets in search of unhoused individuals who are in need of holistic psychosocial solutions and permanent housing.
The founder I have been a Social Worker for 20 years, therefore she is well-suited to carry out the proposed tasks involved with operating Choices In Action. In 2023, Choices In Action will gain traction, growth, and strength. When the founder penned the program design, she did so with the notion of remaining a small organization (employing no more than 4 individuals). As a small organization, we will reduce administrative overhead, deliver quick results, have greater success when providing individualized case management services, and will maintain strict accountability. The existence of Choices In Action is not rooted in a scientific method, years of research, or statistical formulas. The evidence to make Choices In Action a success is simple ...as individuals, what we do for ourselves -- we will do for others.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Choices In Action has not made strides in obtaining funding. However, for 2023, Choices In Action will be aggressive with the attainment of grant funding. For 2023, thus far, in January, we requested funding from 18 foundations. In February, we requested funding from 36 foundations. We received $2,000 in funding and is anxiously waiting for more responses.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Choices in Action
Board of directorsas of 04/09/2023
La Fawn Brito
Joan Macharia
Choices In Action
Term: 2018 -
La Fawn Brito
Chief Executive Officer
Joan Macharia
President
Torriel Harris
Secretary (Fund Raising Event Planner)
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 04/09/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.