Flashback Friday: Journey House Celebrates 30 Years with the Help of JRP Volunteers
One of JRP’s favorite nonprofit partners is Journey House, which assists emancipated foster youth to meet their initial independent living needs. JRP has provided Journey House with $15,000 of pro bono services, thereby helping many former foster youth to thrive! From August 2012:
Penny Arroyo has turned her passion into a business, and now she’s sharing her expertise with area nonprofits through JRP. For 10 years, Penny worked as a recreation coordinator for the City of Monrovia. “I’ve always had a passion for party and event planning,” she smiles. So she was lucky to find a job where she was responsible for all of the city’s public social events.
When Penny retired from the city in 2011, she opened her own event planning business. It’s the best of both worlds. She still works with the City and planned their very successful New Year’s Eve party, but she also gets to branch out with weddings, fundraisers and theme parties.
Penny and her assistant, Jen Rodriguez, are helping Journey House plan a big fundraiser for Saturday, September 22 (2012). Journey House, which provides assistance in meeting initial independent living needs to young people who have left the foster care system, is housed in a beautiful century old home on Los Robles. The event will include a house tour, food and entertainment. “Penny knows exactly what she’s doing and has really great ideas,” Jorge smiles. “We needed that!”
For Tim Mayworm, the founder of Journey House, and Jorge Camarena, Program Director and all-around angel, Journey House is truly a labor of love. But, like many small nonprofits in this stressful economy, Journey House had to cut back on services during the recession. With Penny and Jenifer’s help, they hope their Sept. 22 house tour and fundraiser will educate the community about their services and uncover a few more angels to turn things around. For more information about Journey House, go to www.journeyhousepasadena.org or call 626-798-9478.
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