We'd like you to meet David Owens from Jamboree Housing Corporation, who was nominated by his colleagues for his impactful work with residents at the Iluma apartment complex. Through events like Color Therapy and cooking classes, David fosters connection and life skills, reflecting Jamboree’s mission to support underserved communities.
How did you initially become involved with this work?
I had been working with a local nonprofit (Olive Crest) as an Administrator of an STRTP facility for 5 years, and was ready for a change. That was a tough decision to make, as I had been working with our youth for pretty much all of my career. I was looking for other opportunities to serve our community, and increase/obtain more job skills. Jamboree Housing Corporation was one of three organizations that I came across and applied to work with as a Case Manager.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is the interaction with the residents of Iluma, especially during our events. I put on two events every month, which are Color Therapy and a cooking class covering meals that are simple and easy to prepare. During the cooking, we have so much fun fellowshipping, that they forget they're learning a life skill. Some of these interactions are "normal" for most people, however, this is often an activity that most of our residents are relearning or experiencing for the first time. There's nothing like good food, good company and a great music playlist. It doesn't take much.
What do you envision for the future for the communities you serve?
With the housing and resources that Jamboree Housing has committed to providing for our communities, I believe that a huge impact will be made with respect to access to affordable housing, and the accessibility of resources that are available to some of the most underserved communities. It will take some time, however—these housing challenges did happen overnight.
Thank you, David, for all that you do!
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