Step Up on Second Presenter at Clinton Global Initiative, September 20 - 24 in New York City

Leading Mental Health Facility Unveils 2010 'Commitment to Action,' Combining  Sustainability and Green Practices with Housing for Homeless Individuals Affected by Mental Illness

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Step Up on Second, a leading mental health organization providing permanent supportive housing for individuals who are homeless and affected by mental illness, announced today that the organization's 2010 Commitment to Action was chosen for special presentation at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting. The meeting takes place September 20 – 24, at Sheraton New York Hotel in New York City.

Step Up on Second's Chief Executive Officer Tod Lipka, and Step Up supporters Steve Bing (Philanthropist, Film Producer), Deborah DeSantis (CEO, Corporation for Supportive Housing), and Philip Mangano (former US Homelessness Czar) will be introduced as Step Up's Commitment to Action, "Step Up in Hollywood: Sustainably Ending Homelessness" is presented to attendees on Wednesday, September 22 at 9:00a – 10:00a.

Step Up on Second's innovative commitment combines sustainability and green practices with providing supportive housing for individuals who are homeless and affected by mental illness.

Specifically, Step up on Second and its key partners have committed to acquiring, developing, and operating 200 LEED-certified, permanent supportive housing units targeting individuals indentified as "most vulnerable" on the Hollywood Homeless Registry. Residents will have access to comprehensive services and programs to support relapse prevention, self-sufficiency, and recovery.  The LEED-certified buildings will utilize sustainable practices and products and source 40 percent of energy needs from renewable sources to help heal the individual, the community and the environment.

As an example, Step Up in Hollywood will support the development of the green economy by creating construction demand and utilizing the following green ideologies and technologies:

• Environmental Awareness:  The use of recycled materials, installation of energy efficient systems, green screen to reduce the use of controlled air, thermal solar hot water and solar power.

• Resident Environment: Durable finish materials, orientation for light and sun, introduction of color, use of texture to impact sense and connection to the urban fabric.

• Constructability:  Cost-conscious sustainability by design and throughout construction, enabling the owner to develop plans that pay back through the life of the project, while minimizing the drain of non-renewable resources.

"Step Up on Vine is an international model of government, business, and green technologies partnered on behalf of our poorest neighbors," indicated Philip Mangano, former national U.S. Homelessness Czar. "That innovative partnership not only solves homelessness for the most vulnerable, but also promotes economic growth and environmental sensitivity. It is an honor to be one of the partners of this entrepreneurial initiative."

The Step Up in Hollywood projects demonstrate that it is possible to do well by doing good," said Lipka.  "Presenting the model at The Clinton Global Initiative will provide an amazing opportunity to meet and work with like-minded individuals across sectors and disciplines. We are extraordinarily grateful to participate as a commitment maker."

About Step Up on Second

Step Up on Second, started in 1984 and based in Santa Monica, California is a leading mental health organization.  Known for comprehensive services, including award-winning supportive housing accomplishments, Step Up on Second assists individuals who are homeless and affected by mental illness in securing housing and support services that provide opportunities to experience recovery. 

Additionally, Step Up on Second provides help through comprehensive, integrated clinical programs for relapse prevention; hope through the embrace of community, opportunities for inclusion, advocacy, and empowerment; and permanent supportive home units for stability, achieving self-determined goals.

Step Up on Second serves thousands of individuals affected by serious mental illness annually and provides 90 permanent supportive housing units at Step Up on Second, Step Up on Fifth, and Daniel's Village. Hundreds of individuals are seen daily and more than 22 programs address the issues of the entire individual and help build self-sufficiency and recovery, all free of charge. For more information, please visit www.stepuponsecond.org.

About the Clinton Global Initiative

About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges.

Since 2005, CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 125 current and former heads of state, 15 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations, major philanthropists, directors of the most effective nongovernmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made more than 1,700 commitments valued at $57 billion, which have already improved the lives of 220 million people in more than 170 countries.

The CGI community also includes CGI University (CGI U), a forum to engage college students in global citizenship, MyCommitment.org, an online portal where anybody can make a Commitment to Action, and CGI Lead, which engages a select group of young leaders from business, government, and civil society. For more information, visit www.clintonglobalinitiative.org

SOURCE Step Up on Second