I’m Elida, the ARGP Shelter Case Manager at Hospitality House. ARGP stands for Adult Re-Entry Grant Program, which means that I help people with minor criminal offenses who are also struggling with homelessness. My main priority is to help homeless individuals transition back into housing, and I’m always looking for creative and permanent housing solutions.
One gentleman I’ve been helping with fellow RN case manager, Fred Skeen, is a man who I’ll refer to as Peter.
Peter is 60 years old with no history of substance abuse. Sadly, he became homeless after his wife passed away. Grief took over and Peter was unable to maintain his home on his own. Our team found Peter as a lost soul wandering the streets.
Through regular engagement these last two years, Peter began sheltering with us off and on. He has progressive memory loss and qualified to enroll in our medical respite program, which gives him an opportunity to be inside our shelter all day as he works toward housing solutions. Peter has been in the program since February and has begun to heal in time.
His outlook on life has completely changed. Once a man in deep mourning, Peter now finds joy in the smaller things in life. Just yesterday, I drove Peter to get a pair of eyeglasses so he could see clearly. He was so happy and beyond grateful to get the glasses. It just completely made his day, and it makes me wonder: if something as small as a pair of glasses can make this man happy, what would a little place to live forever do?
Peter is one of the nicest, most caring guests I’ve had the pleasure of working with. It is our hope in the new year that we can increase Peter’s joy by helping him into a new home. Please give today to further our efforts with Peter and if you have any housing leads, please call us at (530) 271-7144.
At this time, I’d like to thank our volunteers who help us throughout the year and thank Marna Duncan for her weekly grocery shopping support. A big thank you also to Telestream for coming in to cook and to Western Sierra Medical Center for sending us scrumptious BBQ catering. A special thanks also to our partners for providing ongoing food and/or financial support: SPD Markets, BriarPatch Food Co-op, Telestream, Interfaith Food Ministry, the Bishop Store (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Nevada City) and Food Bank of Nevada County. To everyone who donated our most needed items last week, thank you as well!
Now down to the nitty gritty needs of the week:
Twin-size blankets
New pillows (we are unable to accept used)
Ponchos
Men’s shoes, sizes 10-14
Women’s shoes, sizes 8-10
DONATION HOURS: To streamline our donation process, donations are no longer being accepted at our shelter (unless it’s food). Please drop off items from our needs list on Tuesday or Thursday, 830am – 5pm at our admin office, located at 488 Crown Point Circle, Suite 100, Grass Valley, Ca 95945 (admin is closed weekends and all major holidays). We greatly appreciate the community’s help at such times of uncertainty. In the words of Utah Phillips, “If we all stick together, we’ll get what we need.” Thank you!