My name is Angela Degliantoni; I am the Outreach Manager for Hospitality House. I supervise the Outreach Case Managers who connect individuals who are living on the streets and in camps with substance recovery, mental health and physical health services, along with occasional food, clothing and transportation. The story I’d like to share with you today is unconventional for my position, but a great example of the efforts the staff at Hospitality House will make to ensure housing successes.
One day I received a call from a woman, who I’ll refer to as June. She was previously an outreach client and shelter guest, until recently when, with the assistance of Hospitality House, she moved into permanent housing with her two children and pet dog. June was so grateful for her home and the security it provided her and her kids. They had a fresh new start.
Last week, June called because her landlord had inspected her house after six months occupancy and was demanding a handful of minor remedies be made. I was asked to simply attend as an unbiased witness as June was worried she was being targeted by the landlord for being formerly homeless and wanted proof that she was cooperating and responsive to the landlord’s concerns. Hospitality House works to have good relationships with both landlords and tenants and was happy to step in as a mediator, working to keep the peace and ensuring the success of the landlord/tenant relationship.
Hospitality House is mostly known for its emergency homeless shelter but lesser known, and equally important, efforts involve creating affordable housing solutions and working to prevent homelessness altogether. June’s scenario was one of the latter. While I continue working with her and her landlord to remedy the situation, I feel certain that a compromise can be achieved to assure her family’s secure future and the landlord’s satisfaction.
To ensure that people like June continue to have advocates on their side, and fewer people end up on the streets, please consider donating to Hospitality House today. As always, we remain grateful to everyone who supports the work we do; whether financially, by donating items on our wishlist, or volunteering.
On that note, I’d like to thank the amazing volunteers lending a hand this week: Hilary Dart and Marna Duncan did the grocery shopping, Susanna Wilson and Bob Norman were invaluable help in the shelter kitchen, while the residents of Sierra Guest Home benefited from the spiritual support of Bill Blount and George Dunstan. Thank you, all! If you’d like to volunteer, individually or with a group, we welcome you to email us at info@hhshelter.org or call (530) 615-0852.
Now down to the shelter’s wish list of the week:
- Twin-size blankets
- Sweatpants -men’s and women’s (all sizes)
- New pillows (we are unable to accept used)
- Men’s winter coats, jackets and hoodies
- Hand warmers
- Bottled water
DONATION HOURS AND DROPOFF LOCATION: Donations from our needs list above and all unexpired/store-bought foods are accepted at Utah’s Place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30am – 3:30pm and Saturdays from 10am – 2pm. Our shelter is located 1262 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, CA 95945. 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!