Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to info@mendovoice.com.
Dear Editor:
Willits Shelter Action Group is a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit project composed of concerned citizens who want to make the realities of being unhoused in north inland Mendocino County less impactful on people who suffer from lack of shelter and the health problems that come with inevitably harsh circumstances.
What began as one mother’s urgent call for change has grown into this grassroots, community-driven organization, dedicated to building solutions for the North County unhoused population — starting with emergency shelter through the adoption of the Motel Resource Program (contact Ruthanne at 707-354-3960 ) and health and dignity services through the Redwood Gospel Mission Shower Program (call or text Carolyn at 707-529-0341). Recipients and volunteers are wanted and welcome.
According to Partnership Health (the MediCal provider for Mendocino County), the number of people who are unhoused, living in their vehicles or shelters, or who live in housing that is inadequate (no power, running water, heat, means to store or prepare food, etc) numbers 4,860. At least 850 of them live in the action group’s service area, due to the disproportionate number of Native American citizens who are unhoused nationally and in Mendocino County. Today, there are fewer than 300 shelter beds in Mendocino County.
After completing an analysis of local needs, our action group discovered that people who are being housed are relapsing into homelessness (meaning leaving permanent housing) at a rate of 22-44 percent, with the higher percentage being veterans (according to National Institutes of Health).
It is our mission to include post-homelessness programming to keep people housed by:
- Employing culturally competent community health workers
- Unifying existing services through collaborative news, mixers, volunteering, research and shared projects
- Providing a space where people can get out of the elements and heal.
Please give to Willits Shelter Action Group in 2025. Giving in 2025 comes with tax advantages that will no longer be available in January 2026 due to federal legislative changes. You can combine several years’ worth of donations into a single, larger 2025 gift, a strategy known as “bunching.” For example, instead of giving $2,000 each year for the next five years, contribute $10,000 this year while the more favorable deduction rules still apply.
Or you can place the gift in a donor-advised fund (DAF) that would still benefit from the 2025 charitable tax rules years later. Deduct the DAF contribution on your taxes now and distribute the funds to charities later; contact a financial management institution.
And remember, cash isn’t the only way to give. Donating items, securities or business interests can be more tax-efficient than writing a check! Send donations to:
WSAG P.O. Box 71, Willits, CA 95490
501(c)(3) EIN: 33-385957
Mike A’Dair, Carolyn Ponikvar, and Jaynie Smith
Willits Shelter Action Group
Who will oversee your money/ donations/services ?
Yeah $10,000.00 no problem
I have always wondered why there are no shelters for homeless in Willits? Does it have to do with the political thing or maybe our city council? I can’t imagine any money going to Willits for homeless people. Isn’t the main thing used to put people up in motels instead of a shelter? Makes you wonder if it would be cheaper just to put a shelter in Willits then it would be to put them in motel rooms. I honestly have no idea though.