A Community Update from SHO-10/15/26

There has been a lot happening over the past few months, and we wanted to take a moment to share where things stand and where we are headed.

One of the biggest changes has been welcoming Leo Gualchi as SHO's Director of Programs and Operations. Leo brings more than 15 years of experience in the behavioral health and addictions field, having worked in Miami, Southern Humboldt, and Boulder, and recently returned to SoHum after earning her Master's in Social Work.

Another important transition has been Diana Copithorne stepping into the role of Board President. Diana has done a great job helping guide the Board through a period of significant growth while keeping SHO focused on its mission. As the organization continues to evolve, she has worked to strengthen board governance and support the work happening every day.

At the same time, we have been putting a great deal of effort into strengthening the systems that keep our programs running smoothly. Leo has been working closely with Dr. Anjali Browning and the Rise Over Run team to improve administrative processes, maintain compliance with our state grant, and prepare SHO for continued growth. We are thankful to Dr. Browning and everyone at Rise Over Run for the many hours they have invested working alongside our team. They have been an anchor for SHO during this transitional time and assisting us to become an informed and expanded non-profit.

Jimmy Durchslag has continued to be an important part of SHO's success. From helping secure our ERF-3 funding to assisting with our ERF-5 application, Jimmy has shared his knowledge and guidance with our organization every step of the way, and we truly appreciate everything he has done.

We have recently submitted our application for Encampment Resolution Funding Round 5 (ERF-5). As part of the application process, we identified a new target population living in encampments that would be served under the grant. If awarded, ERF-5 will allow SHO to continue resolving encampments by helping more individuals transition from unsheltered homelessness into shelter and housing.

Our housing programs continue to make meaningful progress. The Johnston Motel remains our shelter location, and many participants have successfully transitioned into more stable housing opportunities. A number of those participants have moved into the Lone Pine property, where they have signed one year subleases with SHO. In addition to providing stable housing, these leases allow participants to establish a rental history that will help them transition into independently renting their own homes in the future.

At Lone Pine, the shared kitchen and community space have quickly become the heart of the program. Residents are already cooking meals together, sharing recipes, and enjoying the opportunity to prepare their own food in a real kitchen again. It is a simple thing that many of us take for granted, but it represents another important step toward rebuilding independence and creating a sense of home.

One of the most rewarding parts of the program has been watching residents regain everyday living skills after spending years surviving outdoors. Our Site Monitor, Lisa, works alongside participants every day, helping them learn or rebuild routines like doing laundry, making beds, keeping their rooms clean, and caring for a home. Those small victories build confidence and help prepare participants for successful independent living.

Construction at the Grange on Fir Lane is finally ready to begin. After a lengthy permitting process, approvals are complete, and work will soon be underway. Once finished, the building will provide office space, shared kitchens, bathrooms, and a community gathering space that will support the future tiny home community. The tiny homes are already in place, and once the supporting infrastructure is complete, they will be ready to welcome residents.

Another exciting milestone is a generous donation from Betty Chin of five converted shipping containers that have been transformed into tiny housing units. Once those units are installed, the Grange site will include approximately 30 tiny residences, allowing us to help even more people move into safe, stable housing.

People continue reaching out every week looking for housing and support, and our team remains busy connecting individuals with shelter and housing while coordinating with many of our community partners to help participants access medical care, mental health services, medication assisted treatment, and other resources that help them move forward.

We are especially proud that many of the encampments between Redway and Garberville have now been resolved by helping people move into both shelter and housing.

Outside of our housing programs, the garden has been thriving this season, and we are looking forward to harvesting fresh produce to share with participants in the coming weeks.

Community support continues to make all of this possible. We are always grateful for monetary donations, which help us respond to needs as they arise and continue expanding our programs. If you would like to support our work, please click the Donate link on our website. We are also grateful for donations of shelf stable pantry items, bottled water, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and fresh produce that does not require refrigeration. These everyday items go directly to participants and are always appreciated.

None of this work happens alone. It takes dedicated staff, volunteers, board members, community partners, and supporters who believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to find safe, stable housing. Thank you for being part of that work. We look forward to sharing more progress in the months ahead.