My name is Will Buss and I am the Shelter and Housing Personnel Manager at Hospitality House. I oversee staff at the shelter and at our senior housing complex, Sierra Guest Home, making sure our team adheres to our program objectives and that guests comply as well. I cross train at both facilities to create a bigger sense of team and to ensure my team always feels supported.
Today I’d like to share with you a story about a man in his 70s, who I’ll refer to as Arthur. Arthur has been a known face to our agency for a number of years. He has struggled with substance use disorder and has had trouble qualifying for benefits, after losing all his identifying paperwork. Over the summer, our team and FREED helped Arthur get a new Social Security card and now we’re working on Social Security benefits to establish income.
In the past, Arthur typically only stayed at the shelter for a day or two and then would disappear for months at a time. This time, however, Arthur is back at the shelter and after only three short weeks, he’s thriving. He’s embraced case management services; he likes having a saved bed to sleep in each night; and he’s taken on the role of caretaker, helping with the shelter’s day-to-day operations.
Arthur turned a new page in his journey to recovery and housing. He loves to play guitar and he’s always laughing. Arthur is not ready for housing yet but he is getting stronger in mind and spirit by the day and we hope to help him on that path soon. Until then, we appreciate all of our supporters who continue to give a dollar or two when they can. Every dollar makes a difference in our ability to provide shelter and care.
As we head into winter, Night of Giving is back Thursday, Dec. 15 at The Center for the Arts. After two years of virtual shows, this is the first in-person Night of Giving since 2019 and one you won’t want to miss! Tickets are expected to go on sale Nov. 15 but visit our event page https://hhshelter.org/events-fundraisers/a-night-of-giving/ in the days ahead to learn about special offerings, exclusive to Hospitality House supporters. A big thank you to Briarpatch Food Co-op and B&C Ace Home Center for sponsoring Night of Giving again this year!
Right now I’d like to give a shoutout to our two volunteer food shoppers, Hilary Dart and Marna Duncan, for helping us with shopping needs each week. I’d also like to thank George Dunstan for providing spiritual support at our senior housing complex, Sierra Guest Home, every week too. If you have an interest in volunteering, we have several opportunities available in our culinary department, including grocery shopping, cooking, food delivery and dish washing. We are also looking for event volunteers for Night of Giving. Call us at (530) 615-0852 or email info@hhshelter.org to learn about our opportunities. A special thanks also to our partners for providing ongoing food and/or financial support: SPD Markets, BriarPatch Food Co-op, Telestream, 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!
Now down to the nitty gritty needs of the week:
- Twin-size blankets
- New pillows (we are unable to accept used)
- Ponchos
- Men’s shoes, sizes 10-14
- Women’s shoes, sizes 8-10
DONATION HOURS: To streamline our donation process, donations are no longer being accepted at our shelter (unless it’s food). Please drop off items from our needs list on Tuesday or Thursday, 830am – 5pm at our admin office, located at 488 Crown Point Circle, Suite 100, Grass Valley, Ca 95945 (admin is closed weekends and all major holidays). 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!