Because of the cold weather, the 15 cots in the dining room have been full, in addition to the 54 beds in the dorms upstairs. We opened three hours early yesterday due to the snow so that our most vulnerable guests (gentleman in a motorized wheelchair, a woman with a walker and a family with four children) could come in out of the cold.
Our Shelter Monitor Supervisor, Heather, was encouraged this week by the progress of a couple of our guests. One former guest who has been on probation for 16 years for drug-related issues—since she was a teenager—was declared free and clear after completing years worth of classes and education. She is working full-time and has been sober for 18 months. Another gentleman in his 20s never learned to read and write. He struggled with substance abuse but is turning his life around. He has been sober for 18 months, just received his driving learners permit, graduated his 18-month recovery program, filed for custody of his daughter after completing about 20 parenting classes a week for months! We are celebrating as he creates a path to housing.
The culinary students had egg day yesterday, where they learn to do eggs six different ways. You have to go to our Facebook page to see the results—so great. When students join the program, the Hospitality House culinary instructor tells them they will experience blood, sweat and tears. And this week that was true! Tears from the onions, sweat from the heat of the stove, and knicks from chopping. But it all pays off as one of the current students secured her first food service job this week.
Now down to the nitty gritty needs of the shelter:
– Lightweight, warm blankets
– Deodorant
– Coffee
– Juice
– Razors
– Mens pants sizes 32/34/36
– Dog food for our friends at Pets for the Homeless
– gas cards, fast food cards, dollar store gift cards for our housing clients
Drop off your donations at Utah’s Place, located in Brunswick Basin, past A-1 Appliance, 1262 Sutton Way.
Call 615.0852 to find out more.
Artists all over the county and at Curious Forge Makerspace are throwing ceramic bowls and turning wooden bowls for the Hospitality House’ Empty Bowl on March 17. You get to choose one of these bowls (hundreds laid out on the table) and fill it with soup and then take it home with you. Ask your company to buy a table of 8 or go with your whole family or book a group. This event is about gathering in solidarity with those who are hungry and homeless. Get your $25 tickets now for Empty Bowl on March 17—lunch or dinner at hhshelter.org or at BriarPatch! Thanks to the capable folks at Northern California Mortgage- Katie Bianchi-Kreeger Broker Associate and to Port O Subs (go get a sandwich on Sutton Way or Gold Flat Rd) for generously sponsoring the event.