LAKEPORT >> After a 14-day delay due to a shortage of funds, the Lake Ministerial Association opened their annual warming center on Monday evening.
Association officials said they began operations with just over $11,300 in the bank. That means they still fell short $1,300 of a 25 percent of total budget required to be in the bank to offer sufficient services. Even then, a minimum of $16,000 is still needed to fully fund the 2017-2018 Warming Center season, according to Jacqui Solgat-Maxman and Seth Cantu with Lake Ministerial.
“We are $1,300 short in funds for that first 25 percent, so we are flying on faith,” Solgat-Maxman said as a team of more than five volunteers prepared cots, clothing racks, and food just behind her on opening night. “In the long run, yes, this shortfall will affect us.”
She and Cantu say if the lack of funds continues throughout the season, they might not have enough to pay their two, full-time staff necessary to operate the facility and future bills.
“It takes a lot to run heaters, gas, and garbage services. So, we hope things will level up,” said Cantu.
Solgat-Maxman explained that regardless of their total budget shortfall, it was essential to avoid further opening delay for several reasons, including something new this year: data collection.
This year, the Association will be participating in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), a technology software that collects “client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and persons at risk of homelessness,” according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website. When signing up at the center, individuals must fill out an agreement form and are then asked to submit their answers to a questionnaire used to “gather data to bring funds to Lake County for homeless resources.”
Solgat-Maxman said collecting this data is important because “[d]ata drives our funding at the state and county level. Without the data, we can’t say, ‘We have this problem, you must provide for it.’”
She and Cantu added that there was also pressure in opening the center on a very personal level. “Once you work with them, they aren’t the homeless anymore. They are the ‘Carls’ and the ‘Smiths.’ They become friends. When water gets so cold it freezes at night, you think about that. You worry about them,” Cantu said.
That was the case for one individual: Anthony Walker. His mother, Laurie Garabiles spoke with him over the phone Monday night while she waited for the bus to transport her to the center. She informed her son of the opening after he had shared with her his tent had icicles hanging along the edges in recent mornings. Garabiles was among the first of six to benefit from the center on Monday night.
Solgat-Maxman shared her excitement via social media about a new bus stop installed early last week on Natural High on Main Street in Lakeport. The bus stop will soon have a cover and lighted area for warming center guests and bus stop volunteers. That was the area where Garabiles and two other men were picked up on Monday night.
Alongside them were District 4 Supervisor Tina Scott and her son Quintin Scott. They served as bus stop volunteers. The supervisor said she had done this several times, while it was her son’s first. He also collected 30 items including sleeping bags and pillows to donate for those in need at the center as part of his high school senior project.
“When I heard my mother was going to volunteer at the warming center again, I thought it would be a great way to add to the services provided,” Quinton Scott said.
Association officials said those interested in helping could send donations to the Kelseyville United Methodist Church, PO Box 446, Kelseyville, CA 95451 and write “Warming Center” on the memo line or online at www.gofundme.com/lma-warming-shelterministry.
Volunteers are also needed, Cantu said. To sign up, email lmawarmingcenter@gmail.com.
