By Phillip Regman
Siskiyou Village is a new to Yreka independent housing program for the chronically homeless that may have mental illness issues, substance abuse issues, medical issues, income, and or other challenging issues that hinder a healthy, independent, living situation.
This momentous project is an undertaking of NVCSS (Northern Valley Catholic Social Services) and like Yreka Basecamp, Siskiyou Crossroads, Yreka Community Resource Center, Six Stones Wellness Center, FairChild Medical Center, and Behavioral Health, is making a huge impact by improving the quality of life among the Homeless Community right here in our own City of Yreka.
The selection process for the housing program is done by a systematic approach called HIMS (Homeless Information Management System). It is this point system that selects and determines the most vulnerable in the community or, as I’m told, the most needy of applicants. The system was initiated to rule out any hints of favoritism or personal choices. Those that are selected are blessed with one of fifteen solid roofs, solid walled units with windows and some with bathrooms. These containers or units are the size of a six person tent (70 square feet) allowing for comfortable maneuverability. The units come with extra-long twin beds and bedding, and they are equipped with AC and heating.
Peer support staff (not strangers to the issues of the people they assist) help clients by example and engage clients to do for themselves as much as possible. Sharing their lived experiences goes a long way toward helping communicate wellness and encouragement while tasked with maintaining a sense of order, rules, and policy for a healthy, safe environment for all.
Peer support staff do the cooking. Meals are prepared daily, they assist clients with the cleaning of their rooms, they maintain a watchful eye for contraband. They engage Siskiyou Village guests one on one most times, they engage security on the property and campus perimeters, and they do the laundry too.
The goal here is to provide supportive housing through a safe housing environment for individuals that want, need, and are willing to do the work required to help improve the quality of their life. Eventually, after acquiring skills, overcoming obstacles, and from the practice of managing challenges that arise, clients should be able to manage their own independent permanent housing situation.
Supportive services may include establishing benefits from Social Security or Human Services, working with Behavioral Health, or Fairchild Medical Center or not. Client stay is not contingent on utilizing supportive services but clients are encouraged to meet goals mutually set. There is also a nurse practitioner assigned to the program for any ongoing or medical attention that might arise.
I’m told that the clients are appreciative of Siskiyou Village for a real, working opportunity to improve their very lives—one goal at a time. I can only imagine that for the client, it must be challenging, maybe even hard work to relearn things, remembering when things were normal and normal living was good too.
For you, for me. I can only imagine, this may very well be the opportunity of a lifetime—your life.
The staff is here to help you learn how to help yourself and to work with just you. Don’t let stubbornness hold you back but use it to stay clean and move forward. Thanks, Tara, for taking time out for this interview.
Phillip Regman for The Siskiyou News
For more information call Tara Kilcollins – Program Manager at Yreka Basecamp 530-570-8746
