We have been invited to partner with a coalition of local agencies in Lake County. Since the fall of 2019, SSP has been working with Hope Rising, North Coast Opportunities, and many other Lake County community organizations to envision a healthier and safer environment for residents. While projects were delayed in 2020 and 2021, we are planning for when it is safe to gather volunteers for in-person service, repairing homes and eventually building tiny homes. Together, we can do so much more than when working alone.
Hear from Pastor Shannon Kimbell-Auth, SSP’s Community Advisory Council representative from the region, about Lake County’s history and current community collaborations in the video above.
SSP last worked in this region in the early 2000s. Lake County is the poorest county in California, with nearly 23% of households living below the federal poverty line. A 2018 study found that about 2,000 Lake County homes have been lost to various wildfires over the last four years.
Community Partners
Adventist Health Clear Lake
“At Adventist Health Clear Lake, we are focused on providing patients and their families with holistic, compassionate care. We are part of Adventist Health, a nonprofit, faith-based medical integrated health delivery system serving the West Coast and Hawaii. Our hospital offers cost-effective and high quality healthcare close-to-home to the 65,000 people of Lake County. All of our services are driven by our mission to live God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope.”
Hope Rising
“Project Restoration is renewing hope for the most vulnerable residents of Lake County, California. Adventist Health Clear Lake is proud to partner with local agencies and services to serve our neighbors as they take steps toward a healthy, hope-filled future.
Vulnerable populations include, individuals that are either homeless or inadequately housed and living with complex, fragile medical conditions. Inadequate housing can include but is not limited to, homes without running water or electricity and mobile units without hookups.
Project Restoration is uniting community partners through innovative case management to empower our high utilizing neighbors to achieve health, wholeness and hope. High utilizers, a term coined by Project Restoration refers to individuals who have had frequent interactions with the hospital emergency departments, the police departments and the county paramedic squad. Through research conducted by PR staff, it was noted that there is a high correlation between high utilizers and our vulnerable populations as a result, many of our neighbors have fallen through the cracks. It is Project Restoration hope to resolve any barriers that may be preventing client’s from having their needs met.”
Learn more about county demographics.
North Coast Opportunities
“North Coast Opportunities, Inc. (NCO) is a Community Action Agency that serves Lake and Mendocino Counties, as well as parts of Humboldt, Sonoma, Del Norte, and Solano Counties. NCO was established in 1968 as part of President Johnson’s War on Poverty, with the mission of assisting low-income and disadvantaged people to become self-reliant. NCO employs approximately 250 people, has an annual budget of approximately $22 million, and has successfully managed major grants from federal, state, and foundation funders.”
Did you know that more than 50% of Lake County has burned since 2012?
Online Summer 2020 & 2021
In order to protect the safety of our partner communities, staff, and volunteers, we have paused in-person volunteer programs. Registration for our 4 week online program is open. We will virtually connect with our community partners in Chiloquin again this summer.
2021 Online Summer Dates
- Week 1: Jue 28 – July 2
- Week 2: July 5 – July 9
- Week 3: June 12 – July 16
- Week 4: July 19 – July 23
2020 Online Summer
During summer 2020, SSP hosted an online program that provided faith formation as well as connection with Lake County. We forged new relationships with organizations like North Coast Opportunities and Hope Rising, which runs Hope Center and worked to connect SSP participants with organizations who are doing life-changing work year-round in Lake County.
These organizations are working to build stronger communities and networks for those who need support. Lake County is the poorest county in California, lacking sufficient resources for housing, mental health support, transportation, and fire relief. Our partnership with these Lake County nonprofits helped SSP raise awareness for their advocacy efforts and educate participants on these important issues.
Through Community Crossing sessions, participants formed a unique community online while learning about Lake County. Staff led eye-opening simulations, inviting participants to begin to understand the complexity of the decisions faced by those experiencing poverty, providing context for our advocacy and partnerships with local organizations. Staff designed activities to provide an understanding of the community and the connections we can foster from afar. Our passionate community partners are consistently working to provide these resources, and we can’t wait to see our partnership evolve in the future!
In 2020, we were able to donate $2,500 to our community partners in Lake County to support their year-round local work. Read more about our online program and advocacy with the Lake County community in our Community Crossing blog post.