Monthly News: Outreach Services Expand, The Drive to Succeed, Empty Bowl Update

Donor Gifts New SUV to Expand Street Outreach

Last year, Hospitality House served 639 homeless individuals and nearly half (307) were served by Hospitality House and members of the Homeless Outreach and Medical Engagement (HOME) team. This team extends beyond the shelter walls, caring for unsheltered individuals on the streets and in camps. Many of these camps are remote and the terrain is difficult to access.

To increase accessibility, in 2019, an anonymous donor provided Hospitality House with funds to purchase its first 4x4 vehicle. Since then, the need for outreach services has increased, with 7,418 transportation rides provided in 2020. In response, a second anonymous donor came forward to help Hospitality House acquire a well-equipped and durable SUV to continue our expansion efforts. After much research, Hospitality House purchased a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder that handles great in all weather conditions and is large enough to create immediate impact. The Nissan Pathfinder can move up to five people out of the forest in a single trip and connects people to our shelter and vital services.

Outreach Manager, Joe Naake, and all of Hospitality House would like to thank the donor for providing transportation that will expand our outreach services. According to Joe, this vehicle allows the outreach team, “to be able to go out and meet people where they’re at and to be able to provide services to people we otherwise would not be able to reach.”

See Joe Naake and the new outreach vehicle in the video below or click here to play.

Our donor reflected, “People who need the services Hospitality House provides often can’t or won’t just walk through the front door. Reaching them in their own setting helps establish contact and starts the communication which hopefully leads to more stable living conditions. Needing a vehicle up to this task in Nevada County meant one that is durable and we were happy to help out.”

Did you know that Hospitality House can benefit from the donation of your vehicle? Click here to find out more.

Guest Moves from Homelessness to Six Figure Consultant

When our shelter first met Sam Newsom in 2016, he was homeless, recovering from a serious accident that resulted in job loss, and living in the back of his truck. He was also addicted to pain medication that was prescribed to aid his recovery process.

“I felt discarded and alone,” said Sam. “You have lost everything. It can take you down some very dark thoughts.”

Fast forward to today: Sam is stable, has a great job with a six-figure salary, and he even owns his own home. So, how did this man turn his life around? Sam shares what happened in a special feature story that appeared in The Union. Read it here>

Hospitality House Recognizes Mikail Graham

As a long serving and dedicated supporter of Hospitality House, Mikail Graham was awarded a commemorative plaque as a thank you for his 15 years of dedication to Night of Giving, an annual musical benefit to help homeless individuals and families reach permanent housing. Mikhail serves on the Hospitality House board of directors and was presented the commemorative award during the Feb. 22 board meeting.

“To say I was surprised would be putting it mildly,” recalled Mikhail. “I was nearly speechless and am still processing this beautiful gift.”

To learn more about Mikhail’s contribution and recognition, please read more here.

 Empty Bowl Reimagined for 2021

Hospitality House is excited to announce the return of Empty Bowl this year, with a new emphasis on community. Because gathering is not possible this year, Empty Bowl will instead be hosted at a variety of local restaurants over the course of several weeks. Moving the event to restaurants allows us to observe social distancing and safety guidelines and serves as an opportunity to directly help local restaurants.

Community members will soon be able to purchase tickets for a specific participating restaurant online. Each ticket entitles the holder to receive one beautifully designed and donated artisan bowl filled with a specialty dish, donated, and served by their selected restaurant. Keep your bowl forever as a reminder of what a bowl of sustenance truly means when you are hungry and without a home. All ticket proceeds will continue to support individuals and families on their journeys back to permanent housing.

A big thank you to our artist community for their continued support to make Empty Bowl possible and to our local restaurants who continue to provide nourishment and sustenance. To become a featured restaurant or to sign your business up as a branded sponsor, please contact Kindy McCullough at 530-575-2027 or kmccullough@hhshelter.org.

Additional details coming soon!

Volunteer Spotlight: Barbara Dean

For years, Barbara was disturbed whenever she passed a struggling person holding a sign or asking for help. She wished there was something she could do that would make a lasting difference.

When Hospitality House was a nomadic shelter, Barbara got involved once a month with her church. She started out serving dinner to homeless guests. As the program expanded, and the number of guests grew, she increased her service by becoming a member of the “Lunch Bunch”. This group of volunteers served sandwiches, salads, and hot food. Barbara served faithfully as a member of the Lunch Bunch until Utah’s Place opened in 2013.

Barbara witnessed the excitement of the opening of Utah’s Place and began serving right away. Barbara reflects, “I love to cook, and the guests have been so appreciative of our efforts. I have also enjoyed working with and getting to know other members of our community who have come to serve.”

Barbara has demonstrated a strong commitment to Hospitality House and our guests. For a while, she held a weekly class for women guests, sharing what she was doing in Sacramento at Women’s Empowerment.

Although the pandemic has limited her direct involvement, Barbara continues to be an advocate for Hospitality House. She is pleased to see that guests have stepped up to help with cooking and have the opportunity to live at the shelter full time as they work toward permanent housing solutions.

Thank you, Barbara, for making a lasting difference!

With Your Support, We Met Our Goal for International Women’s Day

March 8 was International Women’s Day, a day honoring the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. In celebration, local businesswoman Lauren Maddux contributed to Hospitality House by offering a matching gift donation of $5,000. If you gave a $1, she gave a $1 in response, and so forth.

Lauren chose Hospitality House because our organization is led by a woman, Nancy Baglietto, and because we have made profound improvements in the livelihood of others.

Lauren shared, “Contributing to female-led nonprofits for International Woman’s Day shows that I believe in and respect the hard work that women are doing to make this community a better place for everyone- especially those without the resources to survive within the confines of bootstrap mentality.”

Through the meaningful support of the community, we reached our goal and the entire $5,000 was successfully matched by Lauren. Thank you, everyone, for celebrating International Women’s Day and for supporting Hospitality House.

Did you miss the matching gift opportunity? Give today and further the work of our shelter. Give today>

Change Lives Forever Through Our Hearts & Hands Club

Covid-19 and cold weather have increased the demand and cost of services provided through Hospitality House. By joining the Hearts & Hands Club and becoming a monthly donor, you will provide help where we need it most. As a club member, you decide how much or how little to give. Club membership is available for as little as $5 per month. The price of a cup of coffee can provide fuel and nourishment to a family of five. Learn more about the Hearts & Hands Club>

Business Appreciation: Dignity Health

The hospital is an age-old friend and partner of Hospitality House and was quick to sign on as a branded strategic partner for 2021.

Dr. Brian Evans, President of Dignity Health Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital shared, “We are thrilled to continue our long-standing partnership with Hospitality House. We appreciate everything they do and are honored to aid their mission of bringing dignity to those in need.”

Thank you, Dignity Health!

Learn more about how Hospitality House and Dignity Health work together>

Join Our Legacy Circle through a Retained Life Estate

Did you know that you can give Hospitality House your home or property while continuing to live there?

You can give a gift of your residence, vacation home, condominium, or farm, with a condition to use it for life, resulting in a charitable deduction on your income tax return. This gift is called a Retained Life Estate. It is one of many ways to give to Hospitality House through our Legacy Circle.

At the heart of the Legacy Circle is a plan that benefits everyone. It is a practical way for you to ensure self-sufficiency and housing for all, without affecting your current finances. Legacy Circle members are offered an array of giving options. By creating a living legacy through thoughtful estate planning, you can preserve your estate for your heirs and ensure the work of Hospitality House will continue into the future.

Learn more about the Legacy Circle and how members create lasting impact forever>

Wish List

Needs for the Shelter:

•PPE masks and gloves (please keep donating these)
•*New pillows
•Twin size Blankets
•Bottled water
•Hand warmers
•Alka seltzer
•Travel bag/backpack
•Headphones

Please drop these urgent items off at Utah’s Place, located 1262 Sutton Way in Grass Valley.

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