In addition to this, I am the case manager assigned to Brunswick Commons, which is 40 units of new subsidized housing expected to open this May, made possible by the County of Nevada, City of Grass Valley, Regional Housing Authority, and Hospitality House.
Hospitality House will be managing 28 of the new units, and so far, I have been the main person processing rental applications, which takes significant time as it involves an extensive screening into the person and their past. Understandably, this can make some people uncomfortable sharing personal information, but overall, the guests being considered for Brunswick Commons are beyond grateful for the opportunity to have a home and have continued to express their appreciation and gratitude throughout the entire approval process.
While we anxiously await the grand opening of Brunswick Commons, I’m still visiting and following up with newly housed guests, too. Out in Penn Valley, I’ve been visiting Bobby and Jimmy, who live together with a few other housemates. Bobby lives with serious medical issues and recently his car broke down. Thankfully, Jimmy and fellow housemates have banned together and have been giving Bobby rides to the store and anywhere else he needs to go. I feel while he has hit a few rough patches, he is really making the best of it and is doing great. Jimmy too is a completely different person since moving in. When I first met him, he was closed off and quiet but after the continued engagement, he’s happy when I visit and is always the first to help do household choirs. Both men are doing well in their new home, and we thank this community for donating to our shelter to make housing successes like this possible.
Normally at this time, we thank all the cook groups who came and cooked over the last week, but to keep our shelter safe, our cooking groups are supporting our meals by donating financial support and food, and Chef Gina is safely cooking all meals instead. We’d like to thank Alta Sierra Ladder-day Saints, Twin Cities Church, Trinity Episcopal, Mountain Stream Meditation, The Gourmet Squad, Abundant Life Church, BriarPatch Food Co-op, and SPD Markets for all their recent help.
For those who would also like to help, right now we urgently need twin-size blankets. While donations of goods at the shelter are suspended due to active construction through June, we are accepting twin-size blankets today, Friday, 830am – 5pm, and next week, Monday – Friday, 830am – 5pm, at our admin office located at 488 Crown Point Circle, Suite 100, GV 95945. We are not accepting any other donations at this time. Financial support may be made at hhshelter.org, by calling 530-615-0852, or by sending a donation made payable to Hospitality House at 1262 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, CA 95945. In the words of Utah Phillips, “If we all stick together, we’ll get what we need.” Thank you!