My name is Eric Lee and I’m a Hospitality House case manager at Sierra Guest Home (SGH), a permanent and transitional housing complex helping seniors and people with qualifying disabilities. My role is to make sure guests are getting customized case plans designed to help them find permanent housing as efficiently and effectively as possible.
One guest I’d like to share about is a woman who I’ll refer to as Sarah. Sarah is 67 years old and has been at Sierra Guest Home since January. Prior to this, she was at our shelter, Utah’s Place, for about four months where she received help establishing medical care. Sarah became homeless after fleeing the home she had lived in for seven years in Truckee. She is a veteran and a domestic violence survivor.
When Sarah arrived at the Sierra Guest Home, I took on the role of her case manager. Together, we collaborated on crafting a case plan and establishing goals. Eager and enthusiastic to secure housing, Sarah applied for a Housing Choice Voucher through the Regional Housing Authority and worked on creating a budget to address her credit card debt. She also sought out senior and subsidized housing options, with me accompanying her to submit applications in person and to meet property managers.
After hearing that there were quite openings at an apartment complex in Penn Valley, we discussed the idea of her moving. We went through the application process together, even staying with her for an interview with the apartment complex.
With a lot of determination and hard work, I’m happy to report that we received news last week that she was approved for her own apartment. Congratulations Sarah on finding a home of your own!
In the days ahead, Sarah will have a home again. We are beyond excited for her, but countless more in our care need help finding homes as well. If you would like to partner with us in changing lives with permanent homes, 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 click here or call 530-615-0852. Also, stay tuned for our upcoming May Match Challenge, where a donation in any amount can change the lives of twice as many of our unhoused neighbors.
At this time, I ‘d also like to thank our volunteers and partners for providing ongoing food and/or financial support: 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 the most vulnerable in our community.
The shelter’s wish list for the week:
• Men’s and women’s sneakers (any size).
DONATION HOURS AND DROP-OFF LOCATION: Donations from our needs list above are accepted at Hospitality House Administration Office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am – 3pm at 488 Crown Point Circle, #100, Grass Valley, CA 95945. We ask that all unexpired/store-bought foods to be donated at Utah’s Place shelter: 1262 Sutton Way, Grass Valley, CA 95945.
Thank you for your generosity and support!