My name is Holly Harrison, and I am the Housing Case Manager Supervisor at Hospitality House. I provide case management and other wrap around services for Hospitality House’s residents at Brunswick Commons. Brunswick Commons is an affordable housing community that opened in April of 2022 for Nevada County residents who were previously homeless.
One of the residents who recently moved into Brunswick Commons is a man I will refer to as Alan. Alan experienced intermittent homelessness for many years, largely due to alcoholism. Hospitality House had helped him achieve sobriety in the past, offering shelter and connecting him to community resources, but he unfortunately relapsed. A second chance at Hospitality House, however, was just what he needed to create lasting change.
For over a year, prior to moving into Brunswick Commons, Alan stayed at Utah’s Place, Hospitality House’s emergency shelter. During his time at Utah’s Place, he stayed true to his sobriety, personal health goals, and case management plans. He was a huge help in the shelter, cooking almost daily alongside Hospitality House’s Culinary Specialist, providing hundreds of meals every week to fellow homeless men, women, and children.
But all of that changed for Alan in recent weeks when he received the keys to his new home. It has been a wonderful joy to watch Alan move from the Shelter into Brunswick Commons. He recently ran into an old friend who was holding on to some of his stuff for over the last seven years throughout his struggles with homelessness. Alan was so excited to hear he had held on to all his stuff for him. He got back pictures of his family and other personal items including a letter from an old friend from several years ago. He does not know how it got in there, but he was so surprised to see it and it made him smile.
Alan is over the moon about the move and loves his new apartment. He still says, “it doesn’t feel real yet.” Hospitality House wants to thank its’ supporters for making this homecoming possible for Alan and for dozens more like him.
If you would like to help Hospitality House shelter and house others who are struggling to regain independence, please consider a donation during the “May Match Challenge,” which launched today!
Through May 31, all monetary donations to Hospitality House will be matched up to $30,000. A $50 donation can automatically become $100, which equates to 100 meals.
To participate in this limited-time donation match opportunity, please donate online at hhshelter.org, by phone at (530) 615-0852, or by mail at 1262 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, CA 95945.
Also, you are cordially invited to support Hospitality House at Friar Tuck’s Restaurant and Bar the first Tuesday of the month from 4pm to 8pm. Simply say, “I’m here to support Hospitality House” when you arrive, and Friar Tuck’s will generously donate a dollar to Hospitality House. You will also receive a drink discount. Hospitality House hopes to see you at next event on Tuesday, May 7th!
Right now, I’d like to give a shoutout to Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains for cooking last Friday night for all of Hospitality House guests. If you have an interest in volunteering, Hospitality House has several opportunities available in the culinary department, including grocery shopping, cooking, food delivery, and dish washing. Call (530) 615-0852 or email info@hhshelter.org to learn about the opportunities. A special thanks also to Hospitality House partners for providing ongoing food and/or financial support: BriarPatch Food Co-op, 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 most needed items last week, thank you as well!
Now down to the nitty gritty needs of the week:
• Twin-size sheets.
• Twin blankets.
• Women’s bras and underwear sizes small, medium, and large.
• Q-tips.
• Men’s and Women’s sneakers, any size.
NEW DONATION HOURS: To streamline the donation process, donations are no longer being accepted at Utah’s Place shelter (unless it is food). Please drop off items from Hospitality House needs list on Tuesday or Thursday, 9am – 3pm at Hospitality House admin office located at 488 Crown Point Circle, Suite 100, Grass Valley, Ca 95945 (admin is closed weekends and all major holidays). Hospitality House greatly appreciates 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!