CLEARLAKE— At this week’s Judge’s Breakfast forum Thursday in Clearlake guest speakers Justin Gaddy and Caressa Hearp from Hope Rising updated attendees on the operations at the Hope Center Homeless Shelter, ongoing programs and their mission for the future.
Hope Rising’s Deputy Director Justin Gaddy said he grew up in Lake County and returned after college to raise his family and work in the community he loves. Before Hope Rising, Gaddy, who has worked all over the country with at risk youth and worked with Right of Passage, a juvenile detention center. He returned to Lake as a teacher and a coach. Grateful for the opportunity to give back to his community Gaddy shared, “I love the opportunities that I had to be able to be a part of change and make an impact in the community I grew up in.”
According to the Hope Rising web site (hoperisinglc.org) “Our vision is that Lake County is a healthy place for every person to live, learn, engage and thrive. Our mission for Hope Rising Lake County is to mobilize and inspire community partnerships and actions that support individual, collective and community health and wellness.” Gaddy explained the importance and extent of these partnerships, with over 17 listed on their website which include groups like Woodland Community College, Redwood Credit Union, Redwood Community Services, Lake County Behavioral Services, and others. Gaddy further noted how through the use of a community health needs assessment and the collaboration of their partners, Hope Rising determined three areas of focus: substance abuse treatment and prevention, homelessness and education.
Hope Rising’s interim Project Manager Caressa Hearp illustrated some of the many programs Hope Rising is able to provide because of their numerous partnerships. The housing navigation program at the Hope Center has helped over 40 people obtain permanent, affordable housing celebrating with a key ceremony whenever a resident graduates the program. Hearp shared a few success stories including the longest resident’s stay which was one year and five months, as many people face barriers like access to benefits and mental health issues.
Hearp announced that the Hope Center is partnering with Adventist Health, stating “Adventist Health is going to be essentially taking over Hope Center, and what that means is more support.” Gaddy described the adversity the community has faced throughout the creation and operation of the Hope Center. “This project with Adventist Health is a huge deal,” he said. “Now not only will the staff be taken care of with competitive wages, they’re going to get an H.R. department, not just me, and they’re going to get benefits. There’s going to be a number of things that allow them to focus on their job and continue to help people out.”
The judge’s breakfast is held every Thursday at 7 a.m. at the Clearlake Senior Center and the guest speaker next week is JoAnn Socatto presenting on secondhand smoke. More information can be found on the Thursday Morning Judges’s Breakfast Facebook page.
