Grass Valley, Calif. (November 26, 2024) – Hospitality House is preparing to serve as many of our local neighbors experiencing homelessness as possible this holiday season. A handful of local community members have come forward to match donations this holiday season – enhancing the impact of each donation now through December 16.
As the only year-round emergency shelter operator in Nevada County, Hospitality House’s programs and services run at full capacity every night. It is especially critical when lives are at stake during the cold winter months. Everyone deserves a warm place to sleep and a hot meal this holiday season, and Hospitality House is poised to do its part.
“Many hard-working individuals are becoming homeless through no fault of their own,” shared Executive Director Nancy Baglietto. “It is our commitment to this community to help folks get back on their feet. Not everyone has family they can turn to and have worked hard their whole lives, never imagining they would be in this position.”
While the need is great, the success stories keep everyone at Hospitality House committed to its mission. Mark and Mary are great examples of what Hospitality House can do with the support of local donors. Long-time residents of Nevada County, Mark and Mary thought they “had it all.” Happily married with a family and a house they loved; they were living their dream. A series of unfortunate circumstances, including two layoffs, the pandemic, losing their house, and health issues, threw their lives into a downward spiral. They lived in their car for nine months before coming to Hospitality House.
Once they arrived at Utah’s Place, they were connected to programs, resources, and case management services, and their lives began to stabilize. Mark was able to find work again, and they focused on improving their health and financial well-being. They thought with a steady income, they were on the upswing, but unfortunately, finding a rental in Nevada County is not easy. Most landlords are looking for long-term, stable income and a solid rental history with references. As previous homeowners, they had little rental history, and with Mark’s job loss, the stable income history was not there. They had an added barrier to housing because of their beloved dog named Lulu. Many landlords were not welcoming to pets.
Mark and Mary inspired everyone around them during their stay at Hospitality House, never giving up. Mark continued to work full-time, got them both health insurance, and even paid down their debt while continually looking for a place to live. Everyone at Hospitality House was overjoyed when Mark and Mary found an apartment in Grass Valley. They moved in recently and will celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary together, back in a home of their own. They said that “their love for each other” and the idea of having a place to celebrate the holidays with their children again kept them going through the tough times.
Hospitality House’s individualized case management services are a big support to people like Mark and Mary, helping in a variety of ways. Hospitality House has become much more than just a place to sleep for the night. It offers food, shelter, transportation, job search assistance, help finding proper medical and mental health support, and help finding a long-term permanent housing solution that best fits the client’s needs.
Thanks to local donors, Hospitality House is able to help more people each year, meaning fewer people living on the streets and in the woods. With your support this holiday season, we can help even more individuals and families regain stability.
To participate in this matching opportunity and help more people experiencing homelessness, donate online at hhshelter.org, by phone at 530-615-0852, or by mail at 1262 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, CA 95945. Donations will be matched through December 16.
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About Hospitality House
The mission of Hospitality House is to bring homeless people in Nevada County into a circle of community caring that offers shelter, sustenance, advocacy, opportunity, dignity, and hope as they transition from homelessness to housing. For more information about Hospitality House, visit hhshelter.org.
Media Contact:
Leah Farkas
Hospitality House
Ph: 530-615-0803
lfarkas@hhshelter.org