Job’s Shelter of the Sierra (JSS), is an organization of persons, who are all volunteers receiving no monetary compensation for their works and participation.

Our “Niche” in service to our fellow “mankind” who has the very least, is expressed visiting places where single, homeless persons congregate. We are inspired by Matthew 25:35 and 25: 40-45. Our single, homeless population is left to survive as best as they can. City ordinances and laws make this group of citizens most uncomfortable and harassed. Women with children have places to go in El Dorado County with support from large foundations.

The JSS vans go out Monday, Wednesday and Fridays offering what has been donated to us to our homeless community. Items that cannot be cleaned and donated have to be purchased. These items include toilet paper, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, razors, feminine hygiene items, and specialty items such as adult diapers. We also supply tents and sleeping bags, and in the winter months ponchos in an attempt to help them our homeless population dry. About 138 tents and bags are given out each year. Record is kept of each person receiving a tent and/or sleeping bag. The cost to us is $5,700.00 for each 12 month period, our largest single expense.

Who are these “Homeless” people?

Homeless “Pigeon Holes.”
So many that societies will never be able to plug them up.

A. The mentally challenged who fight demons daily, large and small, real and perceived, who do not have anyone willing or able to take care of their basic needs, such as shelter and food to eat..

B. The addicted to alcohol and legal and illegal drugs, escaping from reality because they can’t deal with the realities of living in the general society. This starts at a very young age as they are not taught accountability, cause and effect, responsibility, and a good work ethic. A good test for this is to learn what jobs they held before age 16. A parents or guardians job.  And who do not have anyone willing or able to take care of their basic needs, such as shelter and food to eat..

C. Just out of prison with one or more “sub-pigeon holes” attached. And who do not have anyone willing or able to take care of their basic needs, such as shelter and food to eat..

D. Those unskilled who do not have the opportunity or ability to learn wage-earning skills. And who do not have anyone willing or able to take care of their basic needs, such as shelter and food to eat..

E. The older persons who is viewed as too old to learn a new trade, a possible burden to one’s business and might be “set in their ways.” And do not have anyone willing or able to take care of their basic needs, such as shelter and food to eat..

F. The 54+year old who lost everything and was deemed “too knowledgeable” in his field to be trained for a younger, growing company and was a past competitor, (In my case) And who do not have anyone willing or able to take care of their basic needs, such as shelter and food to eat..

G. The transient, wandering explorer, “Hobo” of past years, who is an adventurer in their mind. They’re always looking over the next hill.

H. 18 year olds who have aged out of Foster Care. They will fit in many of these Pigeon Holes. And do not have anyone willing or able to take care of their basic needs, such as shelter and food to eat..

I. Victims of domestic violence. Special facilities and treatment are needed.
El Dorado County has places where these victims can go for help.

A & B will always be with us. Hospitalization, compassionate incarceration, continued tailored professional mentoring and care would be the only solution, and would need to suit each individuals needs. And this is not about to happen.

C, D, E & F are there for us to uplift spiritually and materially. Giving them a job for long/short term with minimal or above wage that gives dignity and allows some sense of independence is very important. Many have used their services and changed their view homeless persons.

What is needed to survive, we have to give to those in need.