Poverello House

MEET THE STAFF: Poverello House is excited to announce that we have a new Director of Administration, Lynn Boyd. Lynn is a veteran of the United States Air Force. After leaving the armed service, Lynn began a 27 year career in the field of Radiation Oncology. She found great fulfillment in working directly with patients battling cancer. Lynn has developed an interest in the non-profit sector and serving traditionally marginalized populations in her community. Lynn has big plans for streamlining processes in our administrative department and the overall enhancement of Poverello House. She will ensure that the organization can best serve our clients in a way that restores dignity. She says that in her role she will make sure to, catch someone doing something right. We look forward to all that Lynn will add to the team!

Construction Alert:FULL ROAD CLOSURE ALONG VENTURA STREET NEAR POVERELLO HOUSE Full road closure along Ventura Street between F and H streets in Fresno for construction of a high-speed rail underpass. Work is scheduled to begin Monday, May 17, 2021 and willcontinue through 2022.... Poverello House will continue to be open and detour signs are in place. Give us a call at 559-498-6988 for assistance.

Poverello House welcomes those with a heart to serve. In-person volunteer opportunities are available for all recent graduates (and current students) at Poverello House. The Wonderful Company continues to support this community, including the Poverello House. "when keynote speaker Lynda Resnick, in a pre-recorded message, unveiled a new $1 million fund she and her husband, Stewart Resnick, of The Wonderful Company have established to inspire graduates to get involved in loca...l community service." Volunteers may register online for required orientation. For more information visit poverellohouse.org/get-involved/volunteer or give us a call at 559-498-6988.

MEET THE STAFF: Tamara Thomas, Director of Women and Family Services. Naomi’s House is pleased to announce that we have hired a new Director of Women and Family Services, Tamara Thomas. Tamara comes from a background in team management and operations management in the corporate sector. Wanting something different in her career and an opportunity to assist women, Tamara jumped at the opportunity to work at Poverello House. She has enjoyed seeing the ladies at Naomi’s House gr...ow and live up to their full potential. I am lucky to work with a team that is dedicated to helping women transform their lives, said Tamara. When she thinks of Naomi’s House, she thinks of EMPOWERMENT. Empowering women at the shelter and the staff at the Naomi’s House is a win-win for everyone, says Tamara. Together, we can make lasting change for women who are experiencing homelessness. See more

POVERELLO HOUSE: EMPOWERING WOMEN, CHANGING LIVES When we see a homeless woman on the street, we often forget that she is someone’s grandmother, mother, aunt, sister, or a treasured friend. Poverello House recognizes that a woman experiencing homelessness has unique situations that require specialized care. For example, in 2002, Poverello House and other community members saw the need for a shelter for single homeless women. Identifying this need was the catalyst for the esta...blishment of what we now call Naomi’s House. Naomi’s House has grown from providing 24 beds to now providing 42 emergency shelter beds for women every night. It is still the only low-barrier shelter for single homeless women in Fresno County. Naomi’s House offers women a refuge from the streets and a pathway out of homelessness. Every woman at Naomi’s House is assigned a case manager responsible for linking them to supportive services and creating a permanent housing plan. While at Naomi’s House, the women can take classes that focus on sobriety, mental well-being, self-esteem, financial literacy, and physical health. Naomi’s House empowers women to take the lead in their own journey out of homelessness. Women experiencing homelessness who do not utilize Naomi’s House can still access services that accommodate their needs. For example, Poverello House provides daily showers, laundry, and feminine hygiene products for women. They can also access the classes that are offered at Naomi’s House. Women also can access emergency shelter at the Village of Hope. The Village of Hope was recently renovated last year to now provide shelter that includes heating, air conditioning, lighting, and other amenities (as opposed to Tu_ Sheds). Poverello House provides the women a chance to become a superhero for themselves and their families. We believe at Poverello House that when women thrive, our society thrives. Thank you to the countless volunteers, donors, partners, and other supporters that have sustained Naomi’s House for almost 20 years. See more

Once again, the Fresno Grizzlies partnered with Poverello House to create and implement a Zero Waste policy at Chukchansi Park throughout the 2021 season. Poverello House will receive excess and leftover concession food after each home game. Community support from the Fresno Grizzlies will help our mission of serving meals to those in need.

It was 1973, just a few months after we had moved back to Fresno. I went to a day-old bread store, loaded up on loaves, got some peanut butter and jelly, and went to work. I took it all back to our hot trailer, and Mary and I made up a bunch of sandwiches. I got some disposable cups, a jug of ice water, and drove the short distance to Chinatown. I was working nights, so I had days free, and I started going to Chinatown daily, taking the sandwiches and the water, walking u...p and giving it out. - Papa Mike. What started with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches made by Papa Mike and Mary developed to the Poverello House we are today. With over 70 staff, hundreds of volunteers, and multiple social services programs. Believing in the dignity of every person, at Poverello House we work to enrich the lives and spirits of all who pass our way by stewarding the resources made available to us through Providential and community support.

We are thrilled to receive this gift from Fresno First Steps Home. A true blessing and will support our Rapid Re-Housing program and our HOPE Outreach Team program. We’ve highlighted both these programs as they have become crucial in providing services and hope for people experiencing homelessness living in our community.

What’s happening on our campus?! SOLAR! Stay tuned for more pictures and video of this special project. Video: BLARE Media

Yesterday we had our first Papa Mike's Café of the year. We had over 100 individuals served a three-course meal in a restaurant-style setting. The Reedley High Leo Club volunteered and did a fantastic job helping us make this a special event for our clients. Meal sponsored by Brahma Family in honor of late Dr. Chandra Sekhar Brahma. If you are interested in sponsoring our next Papa Mike's Café in April. Give us a call at 559-498-6988. Or donate https://bit.ly/2LesJST

We LOVE receiving messages like these from our donors and supporters.

The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members Corretta Scott King The holiday giving season may have passed, but here at Poverello House, we see the giving continue throughout the year. This week we received 36 care packages from Teens That Care Fresno, chocolates from See's Candies River Park, and thousands of socks from East Fresno Rotary. *Not pictured are the numerous other items dropped off at the Poverello Hous...e that we put to use daily. We are truly grateful for the community.

Project Off-Ramp started Monday here in Fresno. Poverello House Outreach Team, along with several other agencies and organizations, went tent by tent, offering housing to individuals. On this day, 42 individuals accepted help and a step to move forward. Project Off-Ramp will continue for several months. Believing in the dignity of every person, at Poverello House we work to enrich the lives and spirits of all who pass our way by stewarding the resources made available to us through Providential and community support.

This year, we have worked tirelessly to help our clients navigate a world impacted by COVID-19. This has been a signicant challenge. However, we have had to continue providing our core services of food, shelter and navigation support. Now more than ever, those experiencing homelessness and those who are vulnerable in Fresno County need an organization to lean on. For nearly 50 years, Poverello House has answered that call. With the support of people like you, we enrich the lives and spirits of all who pass our way, every day. Will you join us? Make a difference today. Donate today https://bit.ly/3rDBVB7

We are thrilled to share last week, five individuals residing in our Village of Hope shelter have moved into permanent housing at Crossroads Village! Crossroads Village is part of Governor Newsom and California's plan to purchase and rehabilitate housing, including hotels, motels, and other properties, and convert them into permanent, long-term housing for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Currently, we have 60 individuals residing in the Mike McGar...vin Village Jr. Village of Hope. Crossroads Village will provide permanent housing for more than 200 individuals. Our case managers, Daniel and James, are working on adding more individuals into permanent housing. Our case manager's goals are to get all individuals supportive services and move them into permanent housing in 90 days. All five individuals know they can reach out to their case manager even after leaving the Village of Hope. To donate to the Village of Hope, visit: https://bit.ly/3i6xpGO See more

Back in September 2020, we shared exciting news regarding Mike McGarvin Jr. Village of Hope. We replaced the Tuff Sheds that have been used for housing for almost two decades with 30 new, state-of-the-art pallet shelters designed and built by people with life experience as homeless individuals. Here is a video highlighting this project. We have exciting news to share about five individuals staying in the Village of Hope next week! To donate to the Village of Hope visit: https://bit.ly/3i6xpGO Video by: BLARE Media

Poverello House is Hiring! Poverello House is excited to announce new employment opportunities. Poverello House is looking for a person(s) who is service oriented and wants to make a difference in our community. If you would like to apply for a position or multiple positions, please send a resume to [email protected]. In your email, please designate which position(s) you are interested in. No Phone Calls Please. Visit poverellohouse.org/get-involved/careers for job descriptions.

Merry Christmas from the Poverello House. We had a magical, joyous day yesterday, giving out thousands of toys. The pandemic has brought tough times to many families, and providing toys to children in the Central Valley with the community's help is what the giving season is all about!

Families are coming down Poverello House Christmas Lane! With community support we are able to provide joy this holiday season.

URGENT: We need new and unwrapped toys for kids ranging from 0 to 17 years old, but in high need for ages 10-17 years old. The holidays may look a little different this year, but you can help make a child's holiday brighter! Drop off a toy this week Monday Wednesday 8 am-5 pm at 412 F St Fresno. The donation lane is located on G Street between Ventura and San Benito. Or donate by visiting www.poverellohouse.org/donate... Thank you for your generosity this holiday season.