About the American Society of Community Benefits

Housing is a basic human need. Yet, not everyone can afford it or have access to it. The people who need the most assistance are veterans, newly released from incarceration, victims of domestic abuse, and foster youth aging out of the foster system. American Society of Community Benefits provides transitional housing for individuals in these demographics who are underserved. With the cost of living being so high in California, the veterans, newly released from incarceration, victims of domestic abuse, and foster youth aging out of the foster system could benefit from as much help as we could provide them.

In order to provide housing, we need to purchase a home, located in a neighborhood where our residents will be welcomed. The home will be well-maintained, at least four bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1800 square feet, a large yard, and close to public transportation.

As one would know, a home that is considered a transitional house might suffer from the connotation of a halfway house or other which would bring about some negative responses from neighbors. This poses a challenge to acquire the perfect house. However, the leadership of American Society of Community Benefits will do everything possible to house the people who need it most.

Susan Vanderburgh has an extensive career in the legal field and is passionate for philanthropy and giving back to the community. Susan’s resourcefulness and connections in real estate would be beneficial in locating the perfect home for every demographic American Society of Community Benefits wishes to serve. Susan was an immigrant to the United States. Her first home in San Francisco, California was in the basement of someone’s home located in an alley in the Tenderloin District. She remembered that as a young girl, her house was often cold and dark. The only nice place was outside in the backyard, which was concrete and in the middle of other buildings where other people live in the higher levels of the home could see her in her entire family when they are in the yard. A nice warm shower was not really a nice warm shower. She and her family bathed in the backyard in a makeshift shower that was constructed from a large metal oil container. Oftentimes, they bathed in the dark, during a foggy or cold San Francisco night. Sometimes, a random moon to give them light.

Susan was inquisitive at a very young age and wondered why there was a tub in the basement with a shower, but it was not working. The landlord refused to fix it for them. Perhaps because they were immigrants, or whatever the reason, Susan’s parents did not complain so they would not get kicked out. The landlord never fixed that shower for Susan and her family. So, they all continued living in the basement in the dark, sometimes with the mice and rats and who knows what lurked around the corner. When Susan visited her landlord’s housing unit one time, Susan felt how warm it was inside, how well-lit it was, there was carpet and flooring, a kitchen, a bathroom, and lights that turned on with an electrical switch, and clean water that came from the faucet. Susan understood that something was wrong with where she was living, and she vowed to give her parents much more when she was able.

Perhaps, those early days reminded Susan how important housing is. In her early college years, Susan became a licensed real estate agent because she had a fondness for real estate, hoping one day she would have a nice home. Susan also studied affordable housing and worked with nonprofits that provided affordable housing. Susan was often aware of the most current landlord/tenant laws and she was often an advocate for quality housing for tenants. Susan brings this knowledge and this passion to American Society of Community Benefits.

The real estate acquired through grants and donations will be used to house individuals who truly have nowhere to go. Some who have been incarcerated (wrongly) and later released have found their reputations tarnished and family members disowned them. Imagine having been “locked up” for 10 years or more for something one did not do, “come out” to society and lost when seeing how much it has changed technologically, geographically, and demographically. How does one prepare to live or assimilate in a society, where one was invisible to society during those years in prison? It is very difficult. This is one type of transitional housing that will be provided.

Another type of housing is for veterans who have found that they do not fit within the guidelines for any agency to assist them. Veterans fought for our country. Some may have been honorably or dishonorably discharged. At American Society of Community Benefits, it would not matter. We offer a home for everyone who needs it and who was a veteran at one point in their lives. Veterans should no longer be considered castaways or a burden on society. They need to be treated as heroes they were, and we will help them get back on their feet. At the least, veterans need to be treated like people and get quality housing.

Another type of home is for domestic violence victims. This is another demographic constantly living in fear when stuck in a home where there was domestic violence. Keep in mind that domestic violence does not affect only one gender — men and women are affected. Susan knows this because she has observed domestic violence cases, and was a jury foreperson for a case where the woman was abusing the man, but because of the laws, and how society depicts women being victims, the man was almost sent to jail for something he did not do. Since it is hard for domestic violence victims to come forward, they need our help to get them the courage to leave an abusive environment and transition them into a safe environment, free from abuse, to allow them to move forward with their lives.

Another type of home is for foster youth aging out of the foster system. The American culture seems to take pride in children turning 18 years old and how parents are so happy and eager to shoo them out of the family home as soon as they turn 18. Realistically, how many 18 year olds are sufficient enough to pay for housing, and food while still going to college? Likely none. Now, look at 18 year olds who have no family, because the 18 year old has just come from a foster family. So, in an emergency, this youth who had just aged out of the foster system, has no ability to take care of himself, has no choice but to make a decision to attend college, live in a car, work full time and not go to school, and be homeless or rely on homeless shelters. Imagine that this happens to every 18 year old that have biological families and every 18 year old that do not have biological families. At least the 18 year old with the biological family might have a chance at “going back home.” The youth that had aged out of foster care has no home to go back to. This is why American Society of Community Benefits wants to help this demographic. Furthermore, American Society of Community Benefits provides tuition assistance for anyone who needs it. Your donations will be used in many ways to help people who are deserving of such help.

The homes will be accredited and managed to provide safety to all residents and to present the home in the best light in the neighborhood. There will be quality and fiduciary responsibilities in place.

We can create a compassionate home for people with the greatest needs and to help them create a fresh start with their lives.

Each home will house a certain demographic. By placing people in a family-like environment, the residents will build a family in their home with people who have gone through what they’ve gone through.

Many people are eligible to pay their bed fees with State and Federal funding. By placing people in great neighborhoods, American Society of Community Benefits is creating a paradigm shift on changing the trajectory of an individual’s life story. Housing heals families. Help American Society of Community Benefits heal some families. Any donation you can make will help us get closer to that goal.