As I write this, it’s been a little over a month since all of our lives have experienced change due to COVID-19. Fourth & Hope has been identified by the county health officer as an essential service, so we remain open; however, it is business “not as usual” in our emergency homeless services, housing, and treatment programs.

Working closely with the county’s “Project Room Key” some of our clients who are 65 years and older, or those who have health concerns are moving from the emergency shelter to area motel rooms. We have had to suspend our volunteer program upon county health recommendations, and our dedicated volunteers are missed! In normal times, volunteers cook and serve the hot evening meal daily. Our staff has stepped in to cook and serve the meals, and I am grateful for the efforts of our team. We have implemented a formal set of procedures for staff and clients that includes increased disinfecting of common spaces, requiring meals to be consumed outside of the shelter, and other protocols to mitigate COVID-19 spread.

Our residential substance use treatment program at Walter’s House continues, and it is always a cause for celebration when a client completes the program successfully. We had good news recently – our treatment program is now formally Medi-Cal certified, which means that eligible client services can be funded by Medi-Cal. Other good news includes the recent grant award to support a collaboration with Yolo County Health & Human Services and the Housing Authority to fund “Ellen’s House”, a 10-bed substance use treatment facility in a home-like environment expected to open in summer of 2021.

Our housing program is supporting residents with case management, referrals for services, and other needs. The housing program operates both permanent and transitional housing at 13 locations.

Communities that care for one another thrive. We remain optimistic, and most of all, grateful for a caring community that continues to come together and show love and generosity at this time of unprecedented uncertainty.

Peace and good health to all,
Doug Zeck, Executive Director
[email protected]