LAKEPORT— Despite a dearth of personnel, the homeless shelter in Lake County has remained in operation for homeless residents and those lacking safe accommodation during the months when harsh weather conditions prevail.
Sunrise Special Services is anticipated to carry on operations at the shelter in the old juvenile hall until an agreement can be brokered with an alternative provider explained Elsie Jones, Lake County Behavioral Health director. “As lead agency for the Lake County Continuum of Care, LCHBS issued a request for proposals for interim (24/7) Sheltering Services Aug. 1, 2023, with a submittal deadline of Aug. 27, 2023,” Jones said. “Four proposals were received and negotiations are ongoing with the highest rank proposer.”
As soon as an agreement is negotiated with an alternative provider the Behavioral Health personnel will work with Sunrise and the new provider to assure the best change over possible. Jones said that Lake County aims to maintain the highest possible level of service within its resources and other limitations regardless if those services are provided by county staff or private contractors.
However, this past winter the shelter was caught up in a scuffle as the shelter director accrued abundant overtime.
Yvonne Cox, then shelter director, had been contracted to work for $4,000 per month yet a lack of staff required her to
fulfill a more robust schedule than initially anticipated.
“It was brought to my attention that they fired somebody in the high ranks,” Cox told the members of the Board of Supervisors in chambers at their Aug. 22 regular meeting. “And this person was fired for performance, like I was.”
Furthermore, Cox criticized a male colleague she deemed who had made poor decisions and could have jeopardized order and security of shelter residents and personnel.
“If someone is doing something so vile, as preying on someone who is vulnerable, how are you guys (BOS) to make sure someone is safe?” she said.
“So, now we have this circus going on,” added Cox.” “We have Mr. Aava (Rayan Aava) coming in one day a week to run the
shelter- think that’s adequate? I’m working my butt off- 14, 16, sometimes 24-hour shifts, making sure we’re in compliance.”
Cox went on she was often complimented for keeping the premises clean and said her food was wonderful. But recently she found out the kitchen served spaghetti for four days in a row. “Would you eat spaghetti for four days?” she asked. “Bacteria will grow whether it’s in the refrigerator or not. I’d have thrown it out after two days.” Even after dismissal, Cox heard from residents that it is no longer safe at the shelter. Cox was contacted by LRB for an interview but declined.
Rayan Aava came on board at Sunrise as the new CEO the third week of June, he recalled. “Annie called me because she wanted to retire and posted a job listing on Indeed.com, interviewed me and then hired me,” Aava said in a phone interview.
“I arrived for work as an independent contractor, I’m responsible for my own taxes,” he went on. “Within three days of my arrival I decided to let Yvonne (Cox) go. Before my arrival Yvonne had let a lot of people go- I’m not sure how many employees.”
Aava then inquired why so many of the staff were dismissed. According to the Sunrise employees, Aava recalled that Cox had told staff they will be required to work overtime yet without receiving overtime compensation and if they complained they would not get paid at all. In addition, Aava maintained Cox then placed herself on an hourly wage status instead of receiving a salary. Cox accrued substantial overtime.
“She came in four days a week,” he said. “She ran up wages of $34,000 within a 45-day time frame. All of this information was provided by the staff. I basically brought this to the attention of the Sunrise board of directors.”
Meanwhile, during August the Lake County Continuum of Care put out a Request for Proposal for all interested parties to apply for management of the shelter. Four bids were received, including a submission from Sunrise. Bids were graded on a rubric and the highest score was achieved by the Redwood Community Services nonprofit.
Redwood, based in Mendocino County yet serves Lake and Humboldt County as well, says on its website it established a counseling center in 2002 to improve the lives of children, youth, and families in the community through supportive and intensive services, including individual, family, and group therapy. The counseling center program has evolved into the Mental Health program that offers specialized therapeutic and behavioral services to youth, adults, and families across the lifespan.
Aava explained the Lake County Continuum of Care grant awarded to RCS is for $2.4 million and will cover up to 33 months. Although the shelter is under his leadership, Barnes will remain to assist with the transition until the Sunrise monthly board meeting on Sept. 30 he said. Aava will remain until RCS takes over the helm, anticipated during the fall.
