Homeless Issues 109

The Nomadic Shelter has completed the sheltering of the homeless persons of El Dorado County for this season.
             
The shelter operates from November 15, 2016 until April 1, 2017. A total of 253 persons have signed the “Shelter Guest Guidelines.”  The That is the number who took refuge in the shelter out of the approximately 404 homeless persons who live in El Dorado County. Some only 2-3 nights; some every night the Shelter was open. That comes to a total of 6,103 person/nights that the Shelter housed the homeless for the County that has, at least a moral obligation to make sure their citizens are at the least , sheltered and fed.
The County said in November, 2016 that they would contribute $10,000.00 to the Nomadic Shelter to help the Nomadic Shelter cover expenses incurred while sheltering the homeless citizens in El Dorado County. As of April 4, 2017 no money has arrived at the Nomadic Shelter from the County. If we take the $10,000.00 promised, divide by the 6,103 person/nights, we come up with the County promising to pay the Nomadic Shelter group just $1.64 to shelter and feed those in our community who have the very least. And the County has not even come up with what they promised.
Thank you Super. Hidahl; Super. Frentzen; Super.VeerKamp; Super. Novasel; Super Ranalli: for promises made but not met. You are not taking the even minuscule/ basic effort to care for those who have the least.
I understand that the dirt, sand, gravel, rocks and asphalt that the county infrastructure is in need of due to the weather is important. But our homeless persons aren’t even worth $1.64 a night?
              ………………………………………………………………….

To those who took on the responsibility of caring for our citizens who have the very least ……………………………….. Words can’t say it all. God Bless each and every one of you; Each host church, each church’s volunteers, the food prepare-rs and servers, the overnight volunteers, the check-in crews, the van drivers, the clean-up crews, the dreamers and the doers. God looks down and smiles on you. As a teacher/scholar of the bible may I say, “Yes you do read it!” “Yes, you follow its message.”
                      ………………………………………………..
We especially want to say a fond farewell to a very loving “faithful servant,” who has been a great supporter and volunteer for our Nomadic Shelter.  Rev. Dr. Mary Maaga has been called to serve in another capacity in Northern California.  Her compassion and love with /for the dignity of all of “those who have the very least” has been greatly appreciated. Known as “Pastor Mary” to all who knew her and experienced her loving care–we going to miss you GAL!
                        ……………………………………………….
A new Mentoring ministry is being started up by Loyd Inglis. Befriending/mentoring a homeless person is designed to help those in need both with their physical needs and to enhance their spirit. That is a major challenge for a homeless person, and you are encouraged to work with one or more partners to do it with a person in need. Sharing the burden makes it far more manageable. If you are interested, contact Loyd at 530-903-0262 or OutRch@Yahoo.com
                  …………………………………………………….
A special thanks to New Hope Fellowship in Shingle Springs for opening their facility on Tuesday nights closing that gap we had to fulfill to have a shelter seven nights a week. New Hope offered the space and volunteers from other churches “manned” the shelter. Actually, it was “womanned,”  lead by Liza Reed and her team. Others joined in and they had a very successful shelter season. God bless the New Hope Fellowship and their gift of grace.
                       ………………………………………………….
With very heavy hearts we have to announce the passing of one of our most beloved homeless person on April 5-6, 2017. Elliot Cohen has been with us for many years. Elliot lived in his own fantasy world far away from our realities. He suffered from aggressive police harassment, and he was loved and cared for by the small business community surrounding his little place in this world, known by so many who knew of him and loved him. Elliot slept in what we might call a “ditch,” or at least an earth depression; moving when harassment by local authorities took away some semblance of peace for him. In this last Nomadic Shelter season, Elliot did come to the shelter at night.
Elliot symbolized homelessness in El Dorado County and how they treat its single homeless population.
Elliot’s Memorial Service will be held April 22 at 11:00 AM at Federated Church.