Upward Bound House

What Upward Bound House does

Upward Bound House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1990 in Santa Monica, California, that provides housing, supportive services, and advocacy for families with children experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. The organization operates emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing placement programs across four LA-area locations (Santa Monica, Culver City, Compton, and South Los Angeles), serving more than 400 families annually. Its service model combines immediate safe housing with two years of aftercare, including case management, employment training, mental health counseling, financial literacy education, and a distinctive 2,100-square-foot Urban Farm program that provides fresh produce and nutrition education. Since inception, UBH reports housing 3,411 families and serving 6,551 children, with 93-95% of families remaining housed after one year of program participation.

Name

Upward Bound House

Legal name

Upward Bound House

Website

https://upwardboundhouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Upward Bound House is a Santa Monica-based nonprofit that provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and two-year aftercare services to families with children experiencing homelessness across four Los Angeles County locations, serving more than 400 families annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Homelessness Social Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Temporary Shelters (624221), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)

Keywords

• Family homelessness services
• Emergency shelter housing
• Permanent housing assistance
• Supportive case management
• Community nonprofit programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the website donation portal, mail-in checks, and tribute gifts including memorial and honor donations for special occasions.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate partners including Amazon, Google, and Apple provide financial support and resources to eliminate family homelessness.
3. Stock Donations: Donors can contribute appreciated securities with potential capital gains tax benefits for the donor.
4. Goods Donations: Donations of furniture, kitchen essentials, bedding, and children's clothing help families move into permanent housing.
5. Event Fundraising: Annual events including Home Run for Kids (5K community run) and Angel Awards Signature Chef Gala raise funds and awareness.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Upward Bound House operates a comprehensive 360° family homelessness intervention model delivering emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing placement, and two years of aftercare to families with children in Los Angeles County. Wraparound supportive services include case management, employment training, mental health and substance abuse counseling, educational support, financial literacy, and a dedicated Urban Farm program providing fresh produce and nutrition education. All programs are provided free of charge to qualifying families and are funded through donations, corporate partnerships, grants, and fundraising events.

Product overview

Upward Bound House is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of homeless services for families with children. The organization operates a multi-program model consisting of Emergency Shelter (immediate safe housing with 24/7 crisis support), Permanent Housing (search assistance, landlord mediation, and rental support), Aftercare Services (two years of post-placement support), Health & Wellness (medical coordination, mental health counseling), Supportive Services (case management, employment training, educational support), and Pantry Services (food distribution and nutrition education). The portfolio also includes specialized programs such as the Urban Farm (a 2,100 sq ft urban agriculture site providing fresh produce and wellness programming), Kids Club Programs (game nights, birthday celebrations, arts & crafts, martial arts for children), and Life Skills Support (mindfulness, parenting workshops, financial wellness, journaling). These programs work together within a trauma-informed, evidence-based approach to address the root causes of homelessness and build family self-sufficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Urban Farm: A 2,100 square foot urban farm providing fresh produce to families, therapeutic gardening activities, nutrition education workshops, cooking classes, and community engagement programs. Features hydroponic towers, a learning center, teaching kitchen, greenhouse, and event space.

Quantifiable outcome

• 93% of families remain housed after one year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• St. Joseph CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013UBH co-founded the Family Solutions Center (FSC) in Service Planning Area 5 with St. Joseph Center, covering the Westside of Los Angeles. The partnership coordinates homeless services in the community.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Upward Bound House's mission to eliminate family homelessness. Amazon joins other industry leaders in providing financial and resource support.
• GooglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Upward Bound House's mission to eliminate family homelessness. Google joins other industry leaders in providing financial and resource support.
• ApplecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Upward Bound House's mission to eliminate family homelessness. Apple joins other industry leaders in providing financial and resource support.
• First United Methodist Church of Santa MonicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding organization that established Upward Bound House in 1990 in response to the emerging affordable housing crisis.
• Carlthorp SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal school whose Children's Choir performs at UBH events including the National Anthem at Home Run for Kids fundraiser.
• Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBH's President and CEO Christine Mirasy-Glasco serves on the Continuum of Care (CoC) Board and previously led the Programs, Contracts and Grants Management Department at LAHSA, ensuring alignment with county-wide homeless services coordination.
• Partners for Children in South Los AngelesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBH's President and CEO serves on the Program Advisory Committee of Partners for Children in South Los Angeles, supporting program development for children in underserved communities.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Para Los Niños: LA-based nonprofit serving children and families facing poverty with education, housing, and supportive services. Comparable LA family-services mission; CFO Eric Sarkisyan served as Interim CFO.
• St. Joseph Center: LA-based nonprofit offering housing, food, and family services with a strong Westside / Service Planning Area 5 footprint. Directly comparable as a co-founding partner of the Family Solutions Center alongside Upward Bound House, serving overlapping family homelessness clients.
• Skid Row Housing Trust: LA nonprofit providing permanent supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, including families. Comparable LA housing nonprofit; CFO Eric Sarkisyan previously served as Corporate Controller there.
• LA Family Housing: Major LA County nonprofit providing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing plus supportive services for families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Closely comparable mission, geography, and program model.
• PATH (People Assisting The Homeless): Los Angeles-based nonprofit providing housing and supportive services to people experiencing homelessness, including families. Directly comparable as an LA family homelessness provider; CEO Christine Mirasy-Glasco previously held Executive roles at PATH.
• The Midnight Mission: Historic LA nonprofit providing emergency shelter, meals, and recovery services to people experiencing homelessness in Skid Row. Comparable LA-based emergency shelter and supportive services provider.
• Hope the Mission: LA Valley-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services to families and individuals experiencing homelessness. Comparable LA family homelessness service model.
• Beyond Shelter: LA-based nonprofit focused on family homelessness, housing placement, and economic self-sufficiency. Directly comparable model; CEO Christine Mirasy-Glasco held prior Executive roles here.

Broad incumbents

• Family Promise: National nonprofit network addressing family homelessness through shelter, prevention, and stabilization programs. Comparable family-focused model but operating nationally across many affiliates rather than concentrated in one metro.
• Catholic Charities of Los Angeles: Large regional social services organization providing housing, immigration, and family support across LA. Comparable family-services focus but operates as a much broader, faith-affiliated incumbent rather than a family-homelessness specialist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BeUpwardBound

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Upward Bound House