By Sara Beth Williams–
This year, the Winter Sanctuary program in Citrus Heights welcomed 51 unhoused individuals during its seven weeks of rotating shelter from Jan. 4 through Feb. 22.
Over 1000 hot meals were prepared and served to guests and volunteers, organizers said, adding that supplies like coats, hygiene items, shoes, hand warmers, device chargers, and backpacks were offered to guests during the shelter period of 49 nights.
“These folks were able to visit with Navigators Aaron Strother and Nate Allen, rest, have a hot meal, and a nutritious to-go meal in the morning. Each evening, the guests had access to different service providers, clothing, first aid, device charging, haircuts, showers, and encouraging conversation with volunteers,” the Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team (HART) shared in its annual wrap-up report of the program.
Over 650 volunteers helped make the program a success by welcoming guests, offering genuine hospitality, and helping to sanitize and ensure food safety. Over 800 to-go lunches were prepared for individuals to take in the mornings.
Six churches hosted guests for a total of 49 nights, while Messiah Lutheran Church operated as an intake site each night for the duration of the program.
Unsheltered individuals were required to first register each night. Once registered, a bus transported individuals to that night’s host church. Participating churches provided guests with a hot meal, a cot to sleep on, new undergarments, and a to-go bag of food for the next day.
Citrus Heights HART said showers were offered on 17 of the 49 nights. Several churches also offered AA and NA meetings.
Of the 51 unhoused, five were veterans, two were in their 70s, ten were in their 60s, and one was an 18-year-old high school senior from a local school.
Five individuals were able to find housing through the resources offered during the winter shelter program, and two were reunited with family members, organizers said.
This year, there were no 911 calls for police services, and no citations issued for trespassing. Five individuals were given rides to the emergency room, but this year, no one passed away during the program. Last year, two passed away, one of whom was very sick, Citrus Heights HART president Irene Hronicek said at the time.
The nonprofit thanked local volunteers and partner organizations for helping the program run smoothly. Contributors included Dignity Health representatives, who provided health checkups, medical care, and hosted AA meetings; Sunrise Christian Food Ministry, which provided foodstuffs used for to-go breakfasts given to guests; Laundry Love, which provided laundering services; Grace House, which helped with guest transportation each morning and night; the homeless navigators from Community Health Works, who helped connect individuals with important resources in the county; and Starbucks and Republic Services, which contributed volunteers, supplies, and meals.
The Winter Sanctuary program is an annual volunteer-run effort that provides shelter for those who are unsheltered during several weeks at the beginning of each year. For more information, visit the Citrus Heights HART website.
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