After nearly a month of delays, San Benito County’s first
homeless shelter opened its doors last night to serve a handful of
the community’s needy.
Hollister – After nearly a month of delays, San Benito County’s first homeless shelter opened its doors last night to serve a handful of the community’s needy.
“I’m very excited tonight,” said Shelter Manager Leigh Dietz. “This means a lot, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the community.”
The shelter’s opening marks the realization of almost one year’s hard work on the part of the homeless task force, a collaboration between local civic and religious leaders and community nonprofit groups. A compliment of nearly a dozen volunteers, many of them task force board members, turned out to ensure that the shelter’s debut was a smooth one.
“We’ve been working on this for a long time,” said Kathy Ruiz, task force chairperson. “But nobody should be out in the rain and cold in the winter, it’s not humane. To give them shelter so that they can keep well, to make sure they get a hot shower, that’s really important.”
While only four people had come to use the shelter’s facilities early in the evening, organizers believe more will show up through word of mouth. Dietz was aware of at least 20 people who intended to use the shelter’s services at some point during the winter, and she had received phone calls from many interested residents she didn’t know. The shelter maintains a strict zero tolerance policy against all drugs, alcohol and tobacco – a deterrent for many who might otherwise seek out the shelter, some organizers believe.
“I think there’s over 50 people in Hollister living on the streets like me,” said Gail Baraby, who has lived out of her car for two and half years. “But they won’t come if they can’t drink.”
For many, however, the shelter offers welcome respite from a winter spent on the streets.
“I’m excited to be here,” said Josie Angel, a local woman who has been homeless since July. “My situation isn’t very exciting, but finding a place to stay makes me happy…. It’s sad and depressing out there, and this gives you hope that people aren’t just mean, but that they have some compassion.”
Visitors to the shelter last night received a grocery bag full of toiletries, as well as a pair of socks, a T-shirt, and sweatpants, and have access to additional clothing and shoes donated by members of the community. An Italian dinner was provided by Ridgemark, with baked goods for dessert provided by Food Max.
Hollister’s shelter is based closely off a model used effectively in Gilroy. Six dorm rooms from the migrant worker camp property off Southside Road have been converted into one large room for the shelter, which has been furnished with bunk beds. The shelter opens at 6pm and accepts people until 9:30pm, a half hour before lights-out. Those using the shelter’s facilities will be bussed back into town at 6am, and the shelter will be open until mid-March.
“I’ll probably be spending a lot of time here, until I’m able to make it on my own,” said Angel.
In addition to providing a roof, the task force plans to have mental health and substance abuse workers for those who need them, available in two weeks, as well as professionals who can assist with housing plans, employment or legal troubles. Currently, the homeless task force is looking for medical and dental professionals who are willing to donate their time, as well.
In the future, the homeless task force would like to find space and funds for a year-round shelter, and possibly offer transition housing services for homeless families who need just a little extra help to move into a home of their own.
“The ultimate goal is to get every homeless person off the streets,” said County Supervisor Pat Loe. “Everybody needs a warm bed and a hot meal, and this shelter helps take care of that need.”
The shelter is still looking for volunteers to help prepare, serve and clean up after meals. To volunteer call Leigh Dietz at 801-9531.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com
