By Cindy Basso and Teresa Johnston
For the past three years, we have been volunteering at the Emergency Day Center operated by North Tahoe Truckee Homeless Services through the nonprofit AMI (Advocates for Mentally Ill) Housing based in Auburn. Over the past 8 years, the NTTHS has changed locations more than seven times. Now, its month-to-month lease at the Church of the Mountains is not being renewed; the church is now a historic landmark and is going to renovate the Sipes House — where the shelter is located — which might become a parsonage. As such, services ceased for our unhoused community members on Aug. 15. By the time this piece is published, we imagine a band-aid solution will have been created for the next three months. However, as volunteers who have over the years become friendly with many of our community members in need, we are deeply disappointed and concerned about the implications this closure will have on our unhoused community who now face the devastating loss of essential services that the center provides.
The center is a vital lifeline for many individuals, offering not just a safe place to gather but also a place to shower, eat a healthy meal, obtain snacks, do their laundry, receive mail (needed to obtain a job), receive comprehensive support from case managers, as well as obtain clothing and have a personal locker for their belongings versus carrying everything around town. What will these folks do without consistent services? They will not leave; this is their home. Instead, they will not shower, do laundry, have a mailing address, or obtain case management. These services are not mere conveniences; they are fundamental to human dignity and essential for helping people regain stability and independence.
For the past year, 283 individuals used the services at the center for 2,487 visits. Out of the 283, almost half of the guests engaged in case management, and NTTHS was able to end homelessness for 18 individuals, 14 who have lived in Truckee for over 5 years. Additionally, they prevented seven individuals from entering homelessness. NTTHS provided 2,587 hot meals, 465 showers, 276 loads of laundry, and transportation out of the area for 106 people.
Without access to basic hygiene facilities, the health and well-being of our unhoused neighbors will be at severe risk. The lack of regular, nutritious meals further exacerbates their struggle, making it nearly impossible for them to focus on finding employment or housing. Case managers play a critical role in helping individuals navigate the complex web of social services, secure identification documents, and connect with potential job opportunities. The center’s absence will leave a gaping void.
The closure of the center also sends a distressing message about our community’s priorities. It suggests that the needs of our most vulnerable residents are not a priority, which is a stance that should deeply trouble all of us. A community is judged by how it treats its least fortunate members, and in this regard, we are failing. We cannot turn our backs on those who need us the most. Providing a safe place to sleep, access to food, and essential services is not just an act of charity; it is a moral obligation.
We understand this is a complicated issue that involves Nevada County, Placer County, and the Town of Truckee. However, as a community, we need a long-term solution — a place where a nonprofit can operate on a consistent and regular basis. If you would like to help, please write to our town council and county supervisor requesting an immediate solution to finding a location for a permanent location that is the right size for our community. Additionally, please consider reaching out to volunteer with NTTHS either in time or treasure.
~ Cindy and Teresa are local Truckee residents. They are passionate about the vulnerable members of our community. Cindy is a part-time tax attorney who has worked in other cities to improve their care offerings for unhoused community members and serves on the Tahoe Truckee Housing Advisory Committee. Teresa is a retired real estate agent.
