Sacramento Self-Help Housing (SSHH) is proud to announce the 4th Annual winter donation drive that is now titled “Housewarming for the Unhoused” presented by Molina Healthcare. The drive-thru donation event will take place on Saturday, December 11 at the Cal Expo main gate loop from 8 a.m. to noon. In 2022, Sacramento Self-Help Housing is set to open 30 program houses – a record number for the organization in one year – that will house approximately 125 individuals.
The theme this year is “Warm it Up, Mix it Up” to encourage specific items for donation to help keep the served population both warm and well stocked as they transition to stable living environments. New or gently used items requested for “Housewarming for the Unhoused” include the following: blankets, bed sheets (single & twin preferred), wash cloths, towels (bath and kitchen), bed pillows, and kitchen appliances such as microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, mixers, and blenders.
It is important to note that Sacramento Self-Help Housing has opted to remove the word “homeless” from the previous name of the donation drive in lieu of “unhoused.”
“Especially these days, the word ‘homeless’ is often associated with negative connotations,” explained John Foley, Executive Director of Sacramento Self-Help Housing. “The term can be demoralizing, affecting self-esteem, and undermining progressive change. Instead, the word ‘unhoused’ conveys an insecure housing situation that is (hopefully) only temporary.”
To make it as safe and easy as possible for the community to participate, SSHH staff and dedicated volunteers will be on-hand to collect new and/or gently used items that will be distributed to hundreds of recently homeless individuals in Sacramento County.
In addition to Molina Healthcare, the donation drive is also supported by Supervisor Rich Desmond, District 3, Lighthouse Public Affairs, LLC, Sunrise Marketplace, South Sacramento HART, Carmichael HART, Citrus Heights HART, and iHeart Media.
Sacramento Self-Help Housing is a non-profit 501(c)3 agency dedicated to assist those who are unhoused or at risk of becoming so to find and retain stable and affordable housing, which is more critical than ever during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The fundraising event supports Sacramento Self-Help Housing and its efforts to identify positive solutions and workable alternatives for local community members dealing with homelessness or trying to break free from a cycle of unstable living situations. Sacramento Self-Help Housing is a leader in the “housing first” model of homelessness response by providing shared housing and other supportive services. Sacramento Self-Help Housing also offers a “renters helpline” which includes the region’s fair housing enforcement program to address fair housing discrimination. Each donation, big or small, will go directly to furnishing a home for a recently unhoused individual or family in our community. For more information about Sacramento Self-Help Housing, please call 916-341-0593 or visit www.sacselfhelp.org.
