I’m Elida, and I’m the ARGP Shelter Case Manager at Hospitality House. ARGP stands for Adult Re-Entry Grant Program, which, in the easiest of terms, means I help people with minor criminal offenses who are also struggling with homelessness. My main priority is to help homeless individuals transition back into housing, and I’m always looking for creative and permanent housing solutions.
I want to share a story with you, a story about a client who I will call Marty.
Marty was born and raised in Nevada County and was abused as a child and introduced to substances at young age. He lacked parental guidance as both parents and grandparents, whom he lived with, struggled with addiction.
“In my house, there was a lot of drug activity,” shared Marty. “My uncle overdosed, my grandmother died of alcoholism, and there was always a police presence.”
It came as no surprise that by the time Marty was just 15 years old, he was addicted to methamphetamine.
From there, Marty’s addiction only grew and led to poor choices and prison. He was intermittently incarcerated, and his addiction consumed his life for approximately 20 years. However, a few years ago, Marty finally accepted help. He attends counseling three times a week; follows through with his case management plan with Hospitality House; and today, he’s been clean and sober for 18 months! He also works full time and has full custody of his children.
“Today, I participate in my recovery just as much as I did my addiction,” he said, noting he would never use again.
Unfortunately, due to lack of available housing, Marty and his family are homeless, but they are currently receiving temporary shelter through friends (couch surfing). Marty and I have easily filled out a dozen applications for apartments. We are on waiting lists and hoping someone will give us a call to help give Marty and his family a permanent home.
Marty isn’t perfect. He knows he’s made mistakes throughout his life but he’s finally at a good place where he values his life, his family and his sobriety. If you or someone you know may be able to help Marty, please call me directly at 530-615-6454.
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 Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Sierra Presbyterian Church, Gold Country Calvary Church, Sierra Pines, Kitchen KutUps, Repeat Offenders, BriarPatch Food Co-Op and SPD Markets for all their recent help. 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 – CRITIAL NEED
Toilet paper
Ponchos
PPE masks (paper disposable or neck gators)
Sweatpants – men’s and women’s
Pillows
Headphones
Bottled water
Travel bags/ duffle bags/ backpacks
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Leggings
Sweatshirts / hoodies
Jackets – size L and up
Plastic utensils
Paper plates / bowls
Hairbrushes
Underwear – men’s and women’s small and medium
Handwarmers
Gloves
Ibuprofen / Tylenol
Hydrogen Peroxide
Topical tooth pain reliever
Men’s shoes 9.5 and up; also size 12 -14
Woman’s medium to 2xl long sleeve shirts
Women’s shoes size 8 and up
Hairbrushes
Men’s and women’s deodorant
Shampoo/conditioner
Lotion
Body soap
Men’s pants size 48 a couple pairs
Men’s and women’s S-xxl Depends
For increased safety and to streamline our donation process, donations are no longer being accepted at our shelter. Please drop off your items Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm at our admin office, located at 488 Crown Point Circle, Suite 100, Grass Valley, Ca 95945 (the admin office is closed on 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!