NEW SHELTER, NEW TEAM MEMBERS, NEW PROTOCOLS, NEW PROGRAMS, NEW PARTNERSHIPS, NEW SERVICES

We’re so excited to welcome you (virtually that is – see video below) to Fourth & Hope’s new emergency shelter! On January 4 we moved into a 6,500-square-foot facility located on the edge of town at 1901 East Beamer Street in Woodland. The shelter sits in the middle of an open field surrounded by wildflowers, farmland, and new opportunities to help those in need.

The single-story facility is owned by Friends of the Mission* and operated by Fourth & Hope. It is divided into five sections – a women’s dorm (40 beds), a men’s dorm (60 beds), a dining and activity hall, four administrative offices, and an outdoor patio. Due to COVID-19, we’re currently operating at 70% capacity to allow for social distancing. The dorms are furnished with metal bunk beds, bedding, storage lockers, and tables and chairs. The hall is aligned with mobile cafeteria tables, which can be configured for dining, classroom, workshops, presentations, church groups, or other community engagements. The administrative offices are shared by our homeless services team, the development and volunteer team, lead counselors and client care coordinators, and a certified mental health clinician from the HOST Team. The patio is framed by four commercial modular trailers that have access ramps and stairs. Two trailers provide separate men’s and women’s bathrooms. Each bathroom trailer has five stalls that contain a sink, toilet, and shower. One of the bathrooms in each trailer is ADA accessible. The laundry trailer has eight washers and dryers, and a wash sink. The fourth trailer is a full-service commercial kitchen, with the capacity to serve up to 300 meals a day.

NEW SERVICES | TEAM | PARTNERSHIPS

We have reclassified our support staff team members to Client Care Coordinators to better define their role to serve community members in need. We have also partnered with Woodland’s Homeless Outreach Services Team to provide services onsite with a certified mental health clinician.

Our Extended Hope Street Outreach & Day Services program now offers guests who do not occupy a shelter bed with a needs assessment, resource/referral with linkage to programs and services, showers, daily meals, laundry, phone, and mail services.

And with the help of a generous donor, we have purchased a nine-passenger van that transports clients to and from appointments and to scheduled pick-up and drop-off designated sites.

NEW PROTOCOLS

Nearly a year on hold due to the pandemic, we have recently invited our volunteers back to cook meals at the Mission’s commercial kitchen (Fourth & Hope’s former shelter). Before each volunteer shift, the kitchen is deep cleaned, sanitized, and inspected. Cooks/team leaders are asked to screen their group and report any symptoms. Also, individual meals are placed in to-go containers and are transported to the new shelter and served by the Fourth & Hope team.

At the new shelter, there is a point of entry where clients and guests are screened for COVID-19. Masks are available and distributed, and the facility is cleaned and sanitized after each meal. If someone is showing symptoms, they will be referred to health services.

NEW PROGRAMS

Do you have a hobby you want to share? With the resurgence of the volunteer program, we will be reaching out to our community members to help us lead a variety of classes within these three categories – life skills, activities, and education. If you are interested in learning more please contact our volunteer coordinator at [email protected] or 530.503.0550.

WHAT’S NEXT?

This exciting project doesn’t end here. In fact, this is only phase one. Phase two begins next month by breaking ground for 61 pre-built micro-housing units. Phase three will be completed 18 months from now as we prepare to build the new Walter’s House (a residential substance use treatment facility for men and women), a community center, and a garden. Phase four will expand the new shelter by adding a second building that will house the restrooms, laundry, kitchen, and additional administrative offices.

The former shelter located on Fourth Street will no longer offer homeless services. It will continue to be used for administrative office space and the outpatient substance use treatment program. During the pandemic, the commercial kitchen will be used to prepare meals and be a place for volunteers to cook. The current Walter’s House will be used as an emergency shelter for families with children.

FUNDING PARTNERS

This project is a collaborative effort made possible by our wonderful partners. A BIG thank you to the City of Woodland for donating an eight-acre parcel of land and to Stephen Coyle, Deputy Community Development Director, who was the project lead and architect. The total cost of the East Beamer Project is estimated at $15.2M. Financing for this project includes funding from Dignity Health’s Homeless Health Initiative, California’s No Place Like Home (NPLH) Program, City of Woodland, Friends of the Mission, Yolo County, Partnership Health Plan of California, and Sutter Health. Friends of the Mission will be securing an additional $3.5 million in funds to complete the East Beamer Way project site.

THANK YOU!

These are some big and exciting changes here at Fourth & Hope and we are so grateful for our community of supporters. Whether you are a volunteer, a community member, a donor – or all three – we are truly blessed to have you stand beside us as we move forward in our new shelter and continue to facilitate hope and change lives. Your support of this work is a daily inspiration. Thank you!

VIRTUAL TOUR

Click here to view the video.

*Friends of the Mission is a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing for individuals, families, and youth who are in need including the homeless population in Yolo County. Affordable housing may include emergency, transitional, supportive, and permanent housing projects and programs.