About Us

At Haven Services, we recognize the financial struggles faced by Low-and Moderate-Income (LMI) individuals and families in Los Angeles County. Over 30% of renter households spend at least half their income on rent and utilities, leaving little for other expenses. Homelessness increases significantly when median rents exceed 22% of median income, and in Los Angeles, the median rent is a staggering 46.7%.

This financial and housing instability causes daily stress and hinders their ability to improve their situation.

We aim to provide effective financial capability, housing, and supportive services that help LMI individuals and families achieve economic inclusion and financial security. Our approach involves leveraging various resources and support systems to empower vulnerable families to thrive and advance economically.

Vision

Create a trusted haven for every underserved community, where financial and housing crises are eradicated, empowering individuals to thrive in their pursuit of happiness.

Mission

Provide a safe haven for vulnerable communities, empowering them with no-cost financial education and services that break the cycle of economic hardship for good.

Core Values

Our core values commitment is the foundation of all that we do. Haven Neighborhood Services upholds the following (4) core values:

  1. Collaboration: We build strong partnerships across sectors to connect clients with comprehensive support.

  2. Empowerment: We equip individuals with the knowledge and resources to achieve financial and housing stability.

  3. Integrity: We uphold the highest ethical standards, fostering trust and transparency in all we do.

  4. Excellence: We deliver culturally sensitive, top-quality programs tailored to community needs.

History

For over a decade, Haven Services, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) has maintained an unwavering commitment to the financial health and education of our community members. All services that Haven Services provides are no-cost to our clients. Our organization, founded during the aftermath of the 2008 Economic Recession addresses financial crises among economically vulnerable individuals and families. Many of which have achieved financial freedom and ended their financial crisis through our education and direct financial counseling/coaching services.

Our Focus

Our focus population is 100% Low-to-Moderate Income individuals/families. Haven Services provides education and direct financial counseling/coaching services to the following marginalized groups:

AAt-Risk Youth
BIPOC
Domestic Violence Survivors
Justice-Involved Individuals
LGBTQ+
Seniors
Transitional Age Youth (TAY)
Undocumented Immigrants
U.S. Military Veterans
LMI Homeowners/Renters

Service Areas

Haven Services is currently located in multiple sites across Los Angeles County and neighboring counties:

  • Mercado La Paloma (Headquarters)
  • El Nido Family Center – FamilySource
  • Virginia Avenue Park
  • Department of Veteran Affairs
  • All People’s Community Center – FamilySource
  • El Centro del Pueblo – FamilySource
  • Barrio Action Youth & Family Center – FamilySource
  • Riverside
  • San Bernardino
  • Orange
  • San Diego

General Certifications

City of Los Angeles Community Development Department
  • NCRC
  • Board Development: Orientation Basics
  • Keeping Your Nonprofit Track & Out of Trouble
  • Fundraising Strategies
  • Proposal/Grant Writing
  • Financial Coaching: Helping Clients Reach Their Financial Goals
  • Foreclosure Intervention & Default Counseling
  • Default Counseling Certification, Part I
  • Sharpen your Presentation Skills- Rejuvenate Education and Counseling Programs
  • Credit Counseling for Maximum Results
  • Advanced Reporting and Customization for Counselor
  • Client Management and Tracking with Counselor
  • Homeownership Counseling Certification: Principles, Practices and Techniques, Part I
  • Building Skills for Financial Confidence
  • Advanced Foreclosure: Case Study Practicum
  • Delivering Effective Financial Education for Today’s Consumer
  • Transitioning Consumers: Counseling Clients To Take The Next Step
  • Homeownership Counseling for Program Managers and Executive Directors
  • Financial Capability
  • Leading for Homeownership Counselors
  • Compliance with State & Federal Regulations
  • Homebuyer Education Methods: Training the Trainer
  • Pre-Purchase Homeownership Education
  • Post-Purchase Education Methods
  • Rental Counseling
  • CreditSmart
  • Train the Trainer: Financial Capability Workshop 2013
 
  • Fair Lending Investigations for FHIPs/FHAPs
  • Full Fair Lending File Review
  • Identifying Mortgage Abuses and Fair Lending Violations
 
  • Homeownership Counseling
  • Foreclosure Intervention and Default Counseling
 
  • The Effect of Regulatory Changes in Assisting your Housing Counseling Clients
 
  • Homeless Counseling
 
  • Homeownership Programs Training on Policies and Procedures
 

Certificate of Recognition

Housing Rights Center
  • Vendor for the 16th Annual housing rights Seminar

Certificate of Adoption

National Industry Standards Guidelines and Code of Ethics
  • Adopter of the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling in Homeownership Counseling
  • Adopter of the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling in Foreclosure Specialty
Los Angeles County Residents Served
0 k+
Homes Saved by Foreclosure
0 k+
Improved Credit Scores of Residents by 80+ Points
0 k+
 Financial Literacy Graduates
0 k
Financial Crisis Intervention Success Rate
0 %

Our Team

Our passionate staff members work tirelessly to provide safe solutions and empower individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. Together, we strive to create a brighter future for communities, ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they deserve.

Erika Toriz
Founder & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Noel Lopez
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Eric DePalma
Development Director
Kevin D. Castillo Aragon
Accounting
Diana Arciniega
Housing Counseling Program Manager
Francisco Valenzuela
VITA Compliance Manager
Lindsey Flores
Financial Coaching Program Manager
Angel Morales
Financial Coach
AJ Lopez
Communications Specialist
Erendira Luna
VITA Coordinator
America Valdin
VITA Coordinator
David Guizar
VITA Coordinator
Sarah Schmidt
Volunteer Recruitment Specialist
Rosa Valdez
VITA Coordinator
Karissa Medina
VITA Coordinator
Karen Morales
Grant Manager
Jimena Vazquez
Communications Intern
Andre Kupelian
IT Support Specialist

Our Board

M. Bruce Gumbiner
First Vice President, CRA Officer & Director of Community Development, American Business Bank
Theresa Don Lucas
Vice President Community Reinvestment Officer, City National Bank
Nora Perez
Vice President, Community Development Officer - Enterprise Bank & Trust
Jose Figueroa
AVP, Community Development - Enterprise Bank & Trust
Kent Chen
Senior Business Analyst, SoCalGas
Mona Fontela
SVP, Director of Community Development & CRA Officer, Royal Business Bank
Karla Preciado, Esq.
Co-Founder & Partner, Garcia Preciado Law PC
Jorge Nuño
Co-Founder & CEO, NTS Communications