Press Release: Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center (MCHC) is in receipt of a Notice of Potential Violation of Use Permit
Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center (MCHC) is in receipt of a Notice of Potential Violation of Use Permit related to the Hospitality House homeless shelter.
Each of the alleged violations are unfounded and will be contested by Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center. Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center looks forward to the opportunity to set these allegations to rest with the assistance of Disability Rights California which is California’s Protection and Advocacy System and works to advance dignity, equality, independence and freedom for all Californians with disabilities. MCHC is honored to have assistance from Disability Rights California.
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY DONATIONS TO EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER – GOAL IS MET!
On the first of March, the Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center sent out an appeal to the community asking for support so that we would have the funding necessary to keep our Extreme Weather Shelter open during inclement weather until the end of our EWS season April 15, 2017. The very next day donations, large and small, started coming in from individuals, organizations and churches.
We are pleased to announce that due to this incredible outpouring of support and generosity from this community, we have reached our goal. As of last Friday, we have received $20,060 in EWS donations. We project that this amount should cover all EWS expenses for the remainder of the season. If any donations are remaining in the fund after the closure of EWS in April, those monies will be carried over to help start next year’s Emergency Weather Shelter.
This success reflects the coastal community’s compassion and support for the issues of homelessness; the need to shelter those who remain vulnerable to hypothermia when they do not have a place of protection during our cold and rainy coastal nights.
Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center is most grateful to our community for all their support as together we strive to help those in need of shelter, food and a path to personal self-sufficiency. Our non-profit organization looks forward to working with and serving this community in this capacity for many more years. Thank you very much for your support.
EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER IS WITHIN DAYS OF CLOSING DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS
PRESS RELEASE 2/24/17
EXTREME WEATHER SHELTER IS WITHIN DAYS OF CLOSING DUE TO LACK OF FUNDS
Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center’s Extreme Weather Shelter is within days of closing due to lack of operating funds. The Extreme Weather Shelter feeds and houses between 10 and 25 people nightly when it is extremely cold and/or rainy outside. The Shelter’s operation is dependent on private donations, County grants and the facilities offered by the area’s Faith Community.
All available funds are nearly exhausted as a result of the many days of bad weather this winter
and much higher numbers of people sheltered. The Extreme Weather Shelter will cease to operate within a matter of days unless additional funding is obtained. County staff is actively seeking additional funds. If you would like to make a donation to help keep the Extreme Weather Shelter open on cold and rainy nights, please make your check payable to the Mayor’s Fund and mail it to P.O. Box 2859, Fort Bragg, CA 95437.
2016/17 Stats
Nights Open 11/14/16-2/24/17: 84
Female Bed Nights: 242
Male Bed Nights: 964
Individuals Served: 132
Extreme Weather Shelter Ends 2015-16 Season
The Extreme Weather Shelter (EWS) closed April 18th 2016 for the winter season. Opening November 16th 2015, the EWS experienced its most demanding season – open more nights, serving more meals and sheltering more people than ever before.
The EWS serves a homeless population who cannot be housed at Hospitality House because it is full. There is no requirement to be “clean and sober”. When the shelter is open, these people gather at Hospitality House are fed, may do their laundry or shower and are transported to the host faith community. The faith community donates their facilities for the overnight shelter. In the morning the guests are transported back to Hospitality House for breakfast. A Hospitality House staff member, a supervisor accompanies the guests at all times.
The predicted “El Nino” prompted a revision when the EWS was opened this winter season. In past years if the predicted temperature was 36 degrees or below, or the probability of rain greater than 50%, the shelter opened. In December the criteria changed to 40 degrees or below and a probability of rain greater than 20%. Signs, the website and area businesses, and a voice message gave the public information of the “opening” daily.
The EWS was open 87 nights accommodating 140 individuals. Many were regulars, others stayed a single night while passing through Fort Bragg. An average night found 14 men and 4 women at the shelter. The women were lodged at Hospitality House. On occasion this required use of local motels.
Sheltered guests ate approximately 3000 meals, took 860 showers and used the laundry facilities 575 times.
A detailed Operating Statement appears below. The cost of running the EWS was met by donations to the Mayor’ Fund and a $30,000 grant from the County. $5,484 remains to start the 2016-17 EWS season.
MCHC is most appreciative of the local faith communities who provided the shelter. The Mendocino Coast Jewish Community in Caspar and First Presbyterian in Fort Bragg combined for half of the nights the shelter was open. We thank you.
Participating Faith Communities
Mendocino Coast Jewish Community - Caspar
First Presbyterian Church - Fort Bragg
Trinity Lutheran Church - Fort Bragg
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church - Fort Bragg
Grace Community Church - Fort Bragg
Mendocino Presbyterian - Mendocino
Coast Christian Center - Fort Bragg
listen to renowned psychiatrist Dr. Mark Ragins and our Executive Director Anna Shaw
Building permit issued for 101 upgrades
A big thanks to the incredible efforts of our architect Bob Schlosser and contractor Fort Bragg Electric, Bill and Mark Mertle. Our 101 N. Franklin Street project has a permit and work will be commencing shortly!
And another piece of great news, "MCHC also received the asbestos and lead paint inspection report on 101 N. Franklin from the contractor licensed to do that specific type of inspection."
No asbestos was found in the building. There was a very minimal amount of lead paint identified, which is normal in old buildings, and will be addressed by our general contractor who is lead certified.