Community Involvement Key to Improving Social Programs, Help Underprivileged
An Army veteran and lifelong volunteer calls for community involvement to restore social programs, change temporary solutions into permanent and offer help where it's needed most. Nick Saifan, and his veteran-friendly company, Vendaval, wants veterans and seniors to find affordable homes, disenfranchised youth to gain opportunity, and those on the edge of poverty to achieve hope, work and a solid future.
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., April 26, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The United States was built in part by the tired, poor and huddled masses yearning to be free—as the Statue of Liberty reminds us. Since the 1770s, our nation has been defended by brave heroes fighting for our freedom. The wealth of knowledge our seniors possess has inspired a new generation to reach for the stars they themselves were unable to reach. However, this land of dreams, promise and pride has had its reputation tarnished by rising unemployment, exploding housing costs, increased poverty, crime and homelessness and despair for our nation's workers, heroes, and seniors.
Although this plight has become evident across the land, it has hit the nation's most populous state, California, particularly hard. These negative changes are easy to see in Riverside County, where stats paint a bleak picture, explains Nick Saifan, an Army vet and CEO of the veteran-support company, Vendaval.
- Homeless numbers rose five percent last year. Those living in tents or under bridges exceed 2,155.It's the fourth year in a row that homelessness has increased in the county.
- Unemployment is at nearly 9 percent. (1) Nearly 18 percent of the county's residents face food insecurity.(2)
- Two cities in Riverside County, Desert Hot Springs and Hemet, were recently listed among the 10 worst places to live in California. (3)
"We're seeing people flee California in huge numbers, and we're seeing unemployment rise, poverty rise, crime and homelessness continue to rise," says Saifan. "In California, you see a few people become billionaires, while thousands live on the streets. Government alone can't change that, but a community working together can make a huge difference."
Saifan, who spent 24 years in the military and decades more serving others, said a caring and involved community is paramount to the success of any well-intended public program.
He has spent years working with experts and volunteer groups across the state to create programs for vets, job placement assistance for young adults, and GED training and childcare to those in need.
Dedicated volunteers and a community of collective minds can turn the negatives into positives, Saifan said. He's said the community should focus on those at the frayed edges and work as one to develop affordable housing for the poor, scholarships for students, work programs for the unemployed, and transportation options for those who need access to jobs, hospitals and community programs.
Saifan is ready to lend his expertise and fundraising skills to enhance a current jobs plan in Riverside County. The program will help low-income residents affected by the coronavirus pandemic with training, temporary work assignments and assistance finding permanent placement. The county-funded program is temporary. That's why there's need for a community approach.
With deep ties to volunteer organizations across California, Saifan is poised to raise money and awareness for the program. "I've done this kind of community assistance work for 10 years," Saifan said. "We've raised more than $2 million for veterans. We can do this in Riverside County."
Though some of the county sponsored programs are temporary, Saifan said his volunteer contacts and fundraising skills can help make the county's temporary plans permanent. He said his company can help, especially for any program that benefits the community.
Saifan hopes Riverside County officials will allow him to assist with this initiative. As an expert in community building, housing development, fundraising and volunteer services, Saifan knows how to navigate the convoluted sea of red tape and get results.
From his early years as student at Saint Thomas Moore High School, in Connecticut, where Saifan volunteered to clean the mess hall and the gym; to the U.S. Army awarding him a medal for his volunteering efforts while in service; to decades of blood drives (he's personally given over 15 gallons of his blood) to his current community enhancement work across California, Saifan is ready to lend his expertise to support the community.
"The government can't do it all, but we can help the government achieve much more. A public agency-private enterprise joint operation could save many programs, find funds for the continuation of existing programs and, most importantly, unite the community to help those who have fallen on hard times," says Saifan. "Together, we can return the Golden to the Golden State and to our nation."
About Vendaval Corporation
Nick Saifan served in the U.S. military for 24 years, including time stationed in Riverside County, CA. He experienced firsthand the difficulties of transitioning from military life to civilian life and, as a co-founder of a community-based nonprofit, he watched the difficulty in getting donations increasing year by year. Today, he's putting his business savvy where his heart is. He sees a community that, like many, has struggled to evolve with a changing employment picture in the region. Today Vendaval Corporation visualizes a sustainable business structure creating the opportunity for helping those in need with successful community-based programs. The differentiator in the communities he visualizes is self-sufficient affordable housing in a mixed-use development that offers on-site programs for veterans, youth, education, childcare, on-the-job training, and job placement. These programs begin even before ground is broken. Rounding out the community are retail outlets such as bakeries/coffee shops, dry cleaning shops, a paid-membership fitness center, and financial institution. For more information visit http://www.vendavalcorp.com/
1 State of California Employment Development Department; Last Updated Apri 2021; labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/file/lfmonth/rive$pds.pdf
2. Downey, David; "Riverside County's homeless population climbs 5%, Last updated May 2020; The Press-Enterprise; pe.com/2020/05/06/riverside-countys-homeless-population-climbs-5/
3. James, Nick; "The 10 Worst Places to Live In California for 2021," Last updated January 2020'; Roadsnacks.net; roadsnacks.net/worst-places-to-live-in-california/
Media Contact
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SOURCE Vendaval Corporation
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