My name is Melissa Hatcher, and I’m the Facilities, Maintenance and Purchasing Supervisor for Hospitality House. My role is to ensure that our buildings are well-maintained, fully functional and safe. In my most recent project at Sierra Guest Home (SGH), Hospitality’s House’s senior interim housing complex, while reflooring one of the bathrooms, I had the opportunity to meet a homeless guest who I’ll refer to as Shawn.
When I first met Shawn, he seemed quiet and timid of others, but as I continued to visit SGH more often, he slowly opened up and grew curious about the new developments happening there. He soon began to offer positive words of encouragement any time we met; his contagious energy radiated not only to me but to anyone around him. He had that “yes, I can do it” attitude and it made me view life from a different angle.
When days seemed longer than usual or if there were impediments one after another where I would get behind on my projects, his words were always there to give me the motivation to keep moving and to try my best in everything. Even when I found myself rushing around, Shawn was always there to lend a hand and provide support.
He was the first one to see the finished flooring project and his expression of gratitude is one I will never forget. He was appreciative of my work and how the new flooring would be more accessible for him and other guests living there. It made him feel cared for and supported.
Thanks to people like you, Hospitality House is able to remain committed to guests and remain a constant source of hope and guidance for those working their way back to permanent housing. If you’d like to be a part of the magic of helping individuals like Shawn on his path to housing, please consider joining our Hearts & Hands Club where giving as little as $10 per month can add up to a big impact over the year. To learn more please go to: https://hhshelter.org/giving/hearts-hands-club/ or call 530-615-0852.
I’d also like to thank all our volunteers who have recently joined our cook team this month! A special thanks also to our partners for providing ongoing food and/or financial support: SPD Markets, BriarPatch Food Co-op, Telestream, LLC, 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! We are incredibly grateful to all of you who give your time, energy and compassion to those who need it most.
The shelter’s wish list for the week:
• NEW pillows (we are unable to accept used ones)
• Twin-size blankets (no other sizes, please)
• Towels
• Men’s and women’s summer clothing (No long sleeves or winter clothing, please)
• Toiletries-razors and toothbrushes
• Men’s and women’s athletic shoes
• 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 at 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!