Bringing Mindfulness to the Mary Isaak Center
Shelter Case Manager Chris Inclan knows firsthand the power of having the right tools in your proverbial tool belt. “I come from not a great household,” he says. “My mom was an addict and my dad was an alcoholic, my dad left when I was really young, and I kinda raised myself in a way.” He got into a lot of trouble growing up, spending time in and out of jail, and struggled with addiction himself until he hit a spiritual bottom. “I was basically lost and felt empty inside,” he says, “and I got on my knees and I asked for help from whatever was out there in the universe, and it guided me to the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous.”
After entering recovery, Chris went back to school and became a substance use disorder counselor. “I was going to go to school for business,” he says, “and I thought, what’s better than helping people with their addiction?” He worked as a substance use disorder counselor for four years before joining COTS six months ago, where his lived experience makes him uniquely qualified to lead the meditation and self-esteem group for Mary Isaak Center residents every Saturday.
He designed the group to help all COTS clients who might need it, not just those struggling with addiction. He got the idea from a self-esteem group they ran at his previous job, and decided to add in the components of meditation and mindfulness to round it out. “I remember the group being really beneficial and getting a lot of good feedback from clients in treatment. So I thought, let’s put a group together that can help with addiction issues but can also help anybody that’s just trying to better themselves.”
Every meeting starts with a check-in, a reflection period to see how everyone is doing, followed by a meditation. “Most of the time it’s a guided meditation,” says Chris, but depending on the people present, it can get a little more creative, like a chanting meditation. Then the group finishes with an exercise from a self-esteem packet, or something else Chris feels is important, like emotional intelligence.
“I’m trying to give our clients new tools, a new way to look at the world,” Chris says. “A lot of our clients have an external locus of control, and when we live from a place like that, it’s not empowering, because you don’t feel like you have any control in your life. I wanted to bring in the self-esteem component so our clients can start moving towards an internal locus of control, so they can start recognizing that they have choices. When you start choosing better decisions for your life, you’re going to feel better, you’re going to do things that will move you forward, instead of doing things that will set you back. It’s not a perfect science, but if you really give yourself to this process and make this a way of life, then I think the outcomes are totally different than if you’re just living on autopilot.”
Right now, the group is small, “but we’re trying to grow it,” says Chris. “Even if it only helps a couple of people,” it’s still worth it.
“For the person that does want help,” he adds, “being able to have the right things in place, the proper tools and assistance, [is key]. COTS does a good job of that. The culture here and the environment is really conducive to growth and getting better. This is the right place to come if you really want to change because we’re going to be able to plug you in and connect you with the right people. We’re using what we have to make a difference.”
Planting Seeds: New Mental Health Offering at COTS
At COTS, we are always looking for innovative ways to better serve and support our clients, not just in finding housing, but in maintaining it. That’s why starting this Spring, we are excited to add a new mental health offering for Integrity Housing clients, in partnership with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Karyn Duffy.
Thanks to the support of two very generous supporters, Karyn will be able to provide three 50-minute therapy sessions a week to clients living in Integrity Housing, at absolutely no cost to our clients.
Currently, Integrity Housing serves about 60 clients in 11 houses. In order to serve the most people, Karyn will be using a short-term solution-oriented strategy, working with each client for a maximum of twelve weeks. “There are just too many people in that program to only provide three people with ongoing services,” Karyn says. “We’re going to check in on a regular basis, chart out accomplishable goals, and then show a positive outcome. To me, twelve weeks feels very doable.”
A unique challenge Integrity Housing poses is shared living. Each house has a mix of individuals and families living in it, having been referred from a mix of COTS’ emergency shelters and other partner organizations. They have never met prior to living together, and they typically move in without seeing the house first. “We do the best we can to make appropriate referrals for these houses,” says Jules Pelican, Director of Programs, “but residents do not have the ability to choose who they are going to live with.”
Add to this that many COTS clients have experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), which contribute to mental health challenges, and can make living communally more difficult. “This is one of a hundred reasons that therapy is important to our clients,” says Debbie Robbins, who oversees the Integrity Housing program.
Karyn is a long-time COTS partner, which makes her the perfect person for this new partnership. “This will be my tenth year,” she says. Originally an intern through Petaluma People Services Center, over the years Karyn has offered support to both COTS clients and staff, performing in-home visits, facilitating support groups, and offering private therapy sessions. “She’s done a lot for us,” says Jules. “She works in both of our Permanent Supportive Housing programs, she offers sliding scale sessions for folks who used to be COTS clients so that they can keep seeing her – some people have seen her for years.”
Part of the beauty of Karyn’s long-standing partnership with COTS, says Debbie, “is that because she knows COTS so well, when our clients go to her, or staff for that matter, they don’t have to waste a session or two explaining about COTS culture, and that’s a time saver for everybody.”
“Jules always said I know how to be with people,” says Karyn. “I actually am really humbled by my work with COTS. When you look at the tenacity of people and their sense of survival, and their will power, it just blows me away. They’re surviving, they’re strong, and they want to be better. Broken people are not just to be discarded; they need compassion and respect and understanding.”
With this new offering, Karyn will be able to help even more people. “If we had good county mental health services to serve our folks,” says Jules, “we wouldn’t have to go out and pay for our own therapist. But because we don’t have adequate mental health supports in the county, this has been a beautiful workaround.” Adds Debbie: “To have these funders realize the importance of having somebody available for our clients to discuss any issues…it’s a game changer for some of our folks. This is huge.”
Your support is what allows us to keep valuable offerings like this as we continue to explore new ways to support those whom we serve. Thank you for investing in COTS and our community!
Business Profile: The Shuckery
Sisters Jaz, left, and Aluxa, right, owners of Petaluma's The Shuckery and The Oyster Girls
Pearls of Petaluma
When you traffic in oysters, the world is yours. And with that, comes a responsibility and an opportunity to help make your world a better place.
At least, that’s how sisters Jaz and Aluxa Lalicker look at it. Owners, respectively, of Petaluma’s The Shuckery and The Oyster Girls, Jaz and Aluxa take every opportunity to support COTS.
Jaz and her sister cherish that as independent business owners they can focus their time and efforts on causes they care about. “I live in Petaluma. I love it and I want to support it,” Jaz says. She sees the need for help on the streets right outside her restaurant and within her circle of family and friends. “Sometimes, you can get frustrated by how big the problems are. COTS is easy to work with, and they’re getting things done.”
Always a community booster, the pandemic has only increased the sisters’ commitment to community.
In the beginning, Jaz provided customers with basic goods they couldn’t find in grocery stores, preparing care packages of toilet paper and produce from her restaurant suppliers. More recently, in gratitude for their continued support of her restaurant and her staff, she’s taken to changing up her menu to cook whatever her customers want.
And in addition to her own contributions to COTS, she’s connected her customers with us. “I know the type of people who come into my restaurant. They’re looking for ways to help and I can connect them,” Jaz says. Recently, Jaz ran a food drive for COTS, offering discounts to customers who contributed. She also talks about COTS with customers and shares our needs with them.
The sisters arrived in Sonoma County by way of Oklahoma by way of Mexico. They learned what it takes to start and run a business by watching their mother, who, herself, started and ran several businesses. “She really drove that spirit in both of us,” Jaz says.
The oyster focus came about because of Aluxa’s love of the ocean and a trip the sisters took to New Orleans. To Jaz, oyster bars were boisterous and unpretentious and each one was its own animal. “They were welcoming and honest. That’s the kind of place I wanted to open,” Jaz says.
We are grateful to have the Lalicker sisters’ support and advocacy and wish them luck as the world re-opens. Thank you, Jaz and Aluxa!
Want to read more stories about our business sponsors? Visit our Business Gives Back homepage by clicking here!
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Business Profile: Barber Cellars
From the minute she and her husband Mike opened Barber Cellars Winery, Lorraine Barber’s been working to strengthen her community.
One of the first things she did is put together a Petaluma Wine Tasting Trail Guide and distribute it free of charge to all the local wineries so that they could support one another. “I like connecting people,” she says, “and I’m a good cheerleader. If I see something good, I want to let people know about it.”
Mike and Lorraine added to their enterprise when they entered into partnership with Aaron Lee to open Barber Lee Spirits. True to form, Lorraine looked for ways to boost the efforts of all the area’s alcohol makers. She started Petaluma Drinks, a festival that celebrated and promoted the products from dozens of local craft alcohol makers, including spirits, wine, beer, cider, bitters, and fermented non-alcoholic beverages such as kombucha and kvass.
And she made sure the festival benefited the larger community by dedicating a portion of ticket sales to COTS.
“We’re rising tide sort of people,” Lorraine says. “We’ve always felt like if others do well, so do we. It feels like a very natural kind of thing.”
“I’ve always tried to put community first and put good energy into it. And this year, we really got it back,” says Lorraine. “Our community saved us and every business in town that’s still standing. Petaluma is incredible, so how could we not give back?”
That’s why, despite all the hardships and increased costs of doing business in a pandemic, Barber Cellars and Barber Lee Spirits are still giving. Those who order wines or spirits online can choose to dedicate 10 percent of their purchase price to COTS.
Their two beautifully appointed shops are on Washington Street. Barber Cellars is in the Hotel Petaluma, and Barber Lee Spirits is next door. Lorraine, who has a background in construction and renovation, is responsible for the airy and inviting décor.
“We just make things we like to drink, and we hope other people like them, too,” Lorraine says. Oftentimes, those are wines in the Italian style. She and Mike began making wine as amateurs in their San Francisco apartment, crushing grapes in the kitchen and fermenting the juices in the bedroom closet. They bought a house in Petaluma “to be closer to the vines” and they’ve remained true to Sonoma County grapes ever since.
They sold that house in order to open up Barber Cellars, a risk worth taking because “It’s what we want to do, and we love doing it.” Lorraine says. “And we are too stubborn to fail!”
They partnered with Aaron Lee to create out-of-the-ordinary spirits, including single malt rye whiskey, white absinthe and apple brandy made using local apples.
Thank you to these passionate makers. If you’d like to support COTS with the purchase of a locally crafted wine or spirit, you can click below.
Visit Barber Cellars | Visit Barber Lee Spirits
Want to read more stories about our business sponsors? Visit our Business Gives Back homepage by clicking here!
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Business Profile: Petaluma Health Care District
COTS Lead Outreach Specialist Randy Clay, who works with Petaluma Sober Circle, speaking with a client
Since the 1940s, when voters approved its formation, the Petaluma Health Care District’s central mission has been to serve the health needs of South County residents.
That’s meant huge projects, like replacing an outdated hospital with the emergency room-equipped Petaluma Valley Hospital. It’s meant keeping PVH open while other small hospitals across the country struggled and hundreds of them closed. It’s meant allowing the Petaluma Health Center to incubate under the district’s umbrella and then separate to become a fully-fledged Federally Qualified Health Center.
It’s also meant partnerships with community organizations, including a 30-year partnership with COTS.
“Health care doesn’t stop at the doctor’s office door,” explains Ramona Faith, the District’s CEO. “So many things contribute to good health. And community health means all the community. Every one of us. That’s why we work with COTS.”
“Ramona gets us focused,” says Robin Phoenix, COTS’ Shelter Services Manager. “She brings people to the table and she makes things happen.”
And the results are both tremendous and impactful.
Robin’s favorite collaboration is The Petaluma Sober Circle, which the District convened and helps to manage.
Sober Circle involves an array of partners and provides a through-line of support through treatment, shelter, and housing to those who struggle with addiction. At the same time, Sober Circle reduces financial burdens to the local healthcare system and to the public sector by reducing reliance on costly emergency resources. Since the program started, for example, the police have had to make 80 percent fewer transports to the county detox center. Sober Circle participants make fewer trips to the emergency room, are hospitalized much less frequently and receive coordinated wrap-around services to help them pursue a path to recovery.
Ramona Faith, PHCD’s CEO
“Because Ramona got us all together in one room, we now have people who are getting the support they need to change their lives. And we see benefits to the entire community. It’s a beautiful thing,” Robin says. “This wouldn’t have happened without the Health Care District’s support and leadership.”
And like good collaborations, Sober Circle has only led to more partnerships and collaborations.
The Health Care District focuses its community efforts in five areas: access to health services; mental health and substance abuse; heart health and healthy food; housing affordability and availability; and equity in educational opportunities from “cradle to career” as the District calls it.
For those students, the District frequently partners with the Petaluma Educational Foundation, helping to develop and fund programs to enhance students’ physical, mental and emotional health. PEF Executive Director Maureen Highland says the District helps “lead the way” in creating innovative, useful and popular programs.
What’s next?
In November, voters authorized the sale of the Petaluma Valley Hospital in exchange for over $52 million and an agreement to keep the hospital open for at least 20 years.
For Ramona and her staff, that means more time and resources to further the health of the community. They are in the initial stages of involving the community in the creation of a thoughtful, strategic and sustainable plan to invest the proceeds of the sale in services and programs that will improve our health in southern Sonoma County for years to come.
Thank you, Petaluma Health Care District.
Want to read more stories about our business sponsors? Visit our Business Gives Back homepage by clicking here!
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Meet the Team: Diana Morales
How have things changed with volunteering as a result of Covid? How has our volunteer program changed and adapted since March of 2020?
Our kitchen staff – chef Janin and Max – are amazing. They are the ones that have put the program together where they know how many volunteers they need at what time of the day, and that comes from them just doing their jobs and knowing how to do their jobs, and they do it really well. One of the things they have had to do, Chef Janin mostly, she’s had to adjust her food; she’s used to making a lot of food, and now she doesn’t get to cook these great big meals, and that’s hard on her.
They have a rhythm in the kitchen they never had before, and that’s because the schedule is very strict, the amount of people they can have is very strict. They have a lot of health protocols in place, from the county and city. It’s actually very smooth now, but we miss our core volunteers. I don’t know the volunteers like I used to, and I think that’s usually one of the advantages for our clients, that they knew who was going to be there every day. Our clients are still getting good food and compassionate service, but it’s not the same people all the time.
Our kitchen is thriving. Chef Janin is doing an amazing job. But I think we miss the personalities. Everybody wears masks so I don’t know what the volunteers look like, and I don’t know them personally. But we’ve got a good program in place. I’m looking forward to having our core volunteers back. I miss them.
How have our volunteers responded to these changes?
The core volunteers all say the same thing: when Covid is gone, they want to come back, they’re looking forward to coming back. Our volunteers now love the kitchen. One of the volunteers who just finished her hours told me she didn’t know anything about kitchens before her time here, and by the end of her hours, Janin was asking for her input on recipes.
I have never heard anything negative coming out of the kitchen ever. I follow-up with all of our volunteers at the end of their time with us and they all say it’s fun. That’s just Chef Janin doing her thing.
What new opportunities are there for those who still want to volunteer but can’t or don’t want to serve in the kitchen?
This isn’t new, it’s something that’s been around forever, but it’s something we need all the time because our case managers are amazing, and it’s welcome home baskets. That’s something I’m sending out to the students now. We got a lot of new donations during Christmas, but there’s always a need since we’re constantly getting new families. Donation drives are what we’re looking for right now.
I know we normally get an influx of volunteers and donations around the holidays, and that we couldn’t hold our annual free store for our clients. How were the holidays different this year, both in regards to volunteering and donations to serve our clients?
Last year we had a store with room for back stock and we were able to let families come in and look at things and make sure each gift was the perfect gift, and this year we weren’t able to do that. By not utilizing the store front, our clients weren’t able to see everything we had.
Everything we asked for from our donors, we got. We were overwhelmed with gift cards, which we really needed, and lots of toys. We were able to help not only our clients but the community. Word of mouth got around, and I was having people call asking for help. At one point I closed off the small half of the kitchen and Robin, Stacie, Janin and I set everything out and we were able to have people come in and safely pick up gifts. This year we were also able to help out foster kids which is not something we were able to do last year, which was amazing.
What kinds of donations did we receive this holiday season?
We got every single thing that the Mary Isaak Center needed for their clients and for our unsheltered clients: we got sleeping bags, sweats in all sizes, brand new underwear, rain ponchos, for our outreach clients. B’Nai Jewish Center’s people really stepped up and did so much for us.
When people come into the shelter, a lot of times they have nothing, and now we have brand new sweatshirts and socks, underwear – someone donated 100 pairs of shoes – and when we bring in a client we are able to get them a hot shower and a warm meal and clean clothes. That’s one of the best things we can do for people, is help them feel warm and safe and full.
We don’t want to try and push our unsheltered clients, but I think that when they see that we can offer them warm blankets or a poncho or food or sweat clothes to keep them dry and warm, I think it plants a seed, and at some point they may say, ‘y’know what, I want that on a daily basis.’ All those donations we got for Christmas are going to maybe help change somebody’s mind about coming in.
What has been your experience with the community wanting to help during this past year?
People want to help but they don’t know how. They want to know what we’re doing and how we do it and how can they help. I think the Client Enrichment program is an amazing model because people are tired of being in their own lives, now they can go out and pull weeds, and they like doing that, or meet a client and have a one-on-one experience with them and they know how they’re enriching their lives. Sometimes we don’t need what people are offering, but we can offer them other alternatives.
How have our in-kind donations and volunteers made an impact on our clients’ lives this year?
Our donors help add to the quality of life for our clients, whether our clients are receiving brand new sweats and underwear at MIC or they’re receiving a bed and a box spring and a chest of drawers for their house that they’re moving into, or a gas card that’s going to help them get to and from their doctor’s appointments in Santa Rosa. Or if they’re partaking in the Client Enrichment program and they all of a sudden have this resume that’s amazing, or somebody is coaching them and helping to bring them out of shell.
We enrich our clients’ lives in so many different ways, whether it’s through donations of goods or donations or time. Our donors enrich our clients by giving them food from artisanal bakeries, bread they might never be able to afford, eggs that come from free range chickens, Clover milk that’s pure milk free from growth hormones, vegan cheese they might never have experienced. They just make our lives better. They absolutely impact everything our clients do. Literally it takes a village to take a person that has walked through our door and get them to their own door, it takes all of us.
Do you have any other thoughts you’d like to share?
One thing I think about COTS is because we have such good leadership we’re able to bend with the times. Our leadership is one step ahead of everything so we’re able to keep doing what we do and do what needs to be done. We can handle change because we have great leadership, and that’s something we can all do.
Tell you what, next year I’m going to utilize the storefront for the Free Store (laughs).
November 2020 E-News: New Programs and Partnerships, plus Watch COTS’ latest Virtual Town Hall!
Each month, COTS staff are proud to share news of our programs, our community, and our clients as they work towards permanent housing. Thank you for reading and for supporting our work to end homelessness in Sonoma County!
Watch COTS’ Virtual Town Hall!
Last week, COTS hosted a Virtual Town Hall to share the news of two new programs for clients with our community. If you missed the Zoom call, you can view it now on our YouTube by clicking here!
We discuss Pathways, a more cohesive set of offerings for clients who wish to pursue sobriety, including expanded recovery meetings, designated space at our Mary Isaak Center shelter, sober homes in our Integrity House program, and a 21-day Challenge for those interested in coming into shelter from living outside.
We also share more about Client Enrichment, a new set of offerings for clients that connects them with volunteers to provide resume help, job interview support, legal aid and more. Client Enrichment is spearheaded by Eileen Morris and is actively seeking volunteers! To learn more, contact Eileen at [email protected] or 707.765.6530 x128.
Petaluma Preventing Homelessness
Throughout 2020, COTS has seen a rise in calls for our Homelessness Prevention services. This program helps people who are currently housed with rent or other assistance when they’re facing job loss or other loss of income – to prevent them from falling into homelessness before it happens.
We are so lucky that our local government also understands the urgency of keeping people housed. On October 19, 2020, the City Council in Petaluma approved a $150,000 grant to COTS and PPSC for rental assistance, to be spent over three years through our Homelessness Prevention program. These funds will not just help the individuals who receive support but will help our entire community to remain more stable no matter what the next year may bring. Thank you to the City Council for this generous investment in the people of Petaluma – we are so grateful for your foresight and support!
If you or someone you know is in need of our homelessness prevention services, please call Sarah Vetter, Homelessness Prevention Case Manager, at 707.765.6530 x201.
Holiday Wish List – Updated for November!
The kitchen at Mary’s Table needs your help making the holidays merry and bright for adults and families in our community experiencing hunger. With Thanksgiving around the corner, can you supply any of these items?
- Aluminum Roasting Pans
- Bags and Boxes of Stuffing
- Butter
- Chicken Stock
- Marshmallows
- French Fried Onions
- Brown Sugar
- Jared and Powdered Gravy
- 15-20 lb. Turkeys
- Hams
- Briskets
- Cranberries-Canned and Fresh
- Canned Tomatoes
- Pasta
- Canned Veggies
- Refried Beans
- Canned Beans
- Maple/Pumpkin Spice Favored Pudding
- Holiday Cookie Decorating Kits
- Holiday Cookie Cutters
- Colored Sprinkles and Sugar crystals
- Popcorn
- Chips
- Punch
- Disposable Soup Cups with Lids
If so, please bring them to the Mary Isaak Center at 900 Hopper St. in Petaluma, behind the Goodwill. Or, bring them into the Shuckery any time between now and Christmas and receive 10% off your meal! If you have any questions, please contact Diana Morales, Engagement Specialist, at [email protected] or 707.765.6530 x136.
Find out more about helping out during the holidays by clicking here
From Homeless to Housing
COTS’ Case Manager Christina Madden got the best kind of news when a former client reached out with the text to the right – including a picture of her new car! Our client came to COTS with a multitude of mental and physical health issues, including congestive heart failure, diabetes, and depression. So COTS put the full weight of our local partnerships to work for her!
We were able to connect her with Annie Nicol at the Petaluma Health Center and Asya Sorokurs at Sonoma County Legal Aid to help appeal her SSDI claim and start recouping an income.
After working with Christina, our client was approved for Medi-Cal, food stamps, and a free cell phone through Lifeline. She was then able to start making medical appointments and get her medications and lab work done.
She also started working with a therapist through Petaluma Family Therapy – a new partnership COTS launched in 2020. Before long, she was interviewing for housing through Share Sonoma County and had found employment – which just goes to show that stability is possible with a little help from friends. Here’s wishing our client a great start in her new digs!
And don’t forget to register for The COTS Hour-at-Home Today!
Our virtual fundraiser will air on December 3, 2020 throughout the day. We can’t wait to share more about our year and how we continue to serve those experiencing homelessness no matter what challenges we face as a community! Learn more at cots.org/the-cots-hour-at-home
Feeling uncertain about watching a virtual event? We made this helpful How-To Guide to show you how!
Business Profile: Hotel Petaluma
“The friendly doors welcome the stranger and under its hospitable roof the friends of Petaluma find always only goodwill. It stands as evidence and proof of the faith which the people of Petaluma have in each other and in their city.”
—Plaque placed at the Hotel Petaluma by its community founders in the 1920s.
Shannon Kremer takes the long view.
The pandemic may have slowed progress for the Hotel Petaluma, but so did the Great Depression, so did the building of Highway 101, so did all the economic downturns and hospitality fads of the last 70 years. A succession of owners tried a succession of uses, including flophouse, clubhouse and storeroom.
As far as Shannon is concerned, the hotel that she manages has finally become the grand and inviting community asset its founders meant it to be back in the 1920s. A pandemic slowdown is just a blip on its timeline.
The current owners have restored the building with love, respect and attention to every detail, Shannon says. And the hotel’s community roots are the most important detail of all.
“It took crowd-funding to build this hotel,” Shannon says, referring to the 855 community members who pooled their resources to build the hotel in the 1920s. The hotel is privately owned now, “but we know the community has allowed us to be successful. They patronize our businesses, they encourage family and friends to stay here. That type of support makes it possible for us to finish our renovations and to fulfill our original purpose.”
That’s why the hotel is so generous when it comes to donating use of its lobby and elegant ballroom to community groups, Shannon says. “We want to be a positive part of the community. We want to support groups that have a big impact on our town and, especially, on our downtown. Of course, we see COTS as important in that regard.”
Shannon has worked at the hotel for many years and has long been integral to event support and community outreach. Her recent promotion to General Manager ensures that the hotel will continue to prioritize community support.
At the Hotel Petaluma, COTS Co-Founder Laure Reichek celebrates our 30th anniversary with volunteer Lloyd Smalley, who helped us write our articles of incorporation to become a nonprofit.
We at COTS have been lucky enough to use the hotel’s grand ballroom free of charge for several events, most notably, our 30th anniversary celebration, where we thanked the volunteers and supporters who started COTS in 1988 and all those who came after.
“It was a beautiful event,” says COTS Board Member Judy Tuhtan. “The beauty of the ballroom and its resonance with Petaluma history made it even more meaningful.”
The hotel is open to guests now, but, unfortunately, cannot host large events.
We’ll all feel the loss, especially around the holidays, times when we’re used to dropping in for the community events or caroling in the lobby.
Melissa Becker, President of the Fabulous Women of Petaluma, has partnered with the Hotel Petaluma for many years on the Festival of Trees. The Festival brings hundreds of people together to celebrate the holidays while benefiting local nonprofits. Melissa can’t speak highly enough about the hotel’s support. Shannon makes her staff available to help with set-up, event management and “positive energy,” Melissa says. “The Hotel Petaluma is classy, both in structure and in staff, and they are delightful to team up with on an event.”
We can’t wait to gather again, and we can’t wait to see what new wonders the hotel’s renovation has revealed.
Thank you, Hotel Petaluma!
Want to read more stories about our business sponsors? Visit our Business Gives Back homepage by clicking here!
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October 2020 E-News: COTS Town Hall, Art Sale, and More!
Each month, COTS staff are proud to share news of our programs, our community, and our clients as they work towards permanent housing. Thank you for reading and for supporting our work to end homelessness in Sonoma County!
Thank you for Joining Us for our First Virtual Town Hall!
Our first Virtual Town Hall took place yesterday afternoon, and we were delighted to see everyone and share insights about COTS’ financial model, our strategic plan, and how we adapt to change in a changing world.
Thank you to everyone who joined! If you couldn’t make it but would like to watch a recording of the event, you can do so by visiting the link below, or by clicking here.
If you’d like to join us for our next Virtual Town Hall, New Client Offerings in 2020, on Tues., November 10th 6-7pm, you can do so by visiting the link below. Learn about new programs COTS staff are launching in 2020, including Pathways (a set of offerings to support those pursuing sobriety) and Client Enrichment (including the return of Rent Right, Work Ready, and other opportunities for volunteers). You can register by visiting the link below:
COTS Virtual Town Hall: New Client Offerings in 2020
When: Tuesday, Nov 10, 2020 06:00-7:00 PM
Register in advance for this meeting by clicking here
Art Sale for COTS
This Saturday, Oct. 17, Petaluma artist Deborah Garber will be displaying her pastels, paintings and prints in an exhibition and sale benefiting COTS. The artwork ranges in size from tiny to wall-sized, and will be for sale on a “Pay what you wish” basis, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to COTS. The event takes place at the Out West Garage Roadhouse at 321 2nd St., Petaluma on Saturday, October 17 from 10am-4pm. Masks required.
You can RSVP for the event by clicking here.
The link to purchase/donate for the day of the event is: https://give.cots.org/deborahgarber
Staff Profile: Daisy
Every night is different at the Mary Isaak Center.
“Sometimes nobody’s up,” Daisy Reece, one of our graveyard site coordinators says. “I’ll spend the time cleaning and organizing and just taking care of things.” The lights in the lobby are low, and when she walks through the dorm for to check on everyone, all she hears are snuffles and snores and wheezes.
Other nights are a different story. The hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. can hold enough conflict, triumph, tragedy and farce to fill an entire season of a prestige television.
Whether it’s helping someone calm down after a bout with night terrors, consoling someone who’s just lost a family member, congratulating someone on finding a job, or listening to the plot of someone’s favorite movie, Daisy always has one goal in mind. “I want to build a rapport,” she says. “If I can build a rapport with them, if we can all build a rapport, they’re going to do better at COTS,” she says. “They’re going to be able to move on to the next step.”
Daisy gives people what they need most, says Shelter Manager Robin Phoenix: a kind ear. “There’s something about nighttime that makes people want to talk,” Robin says. “And Daisy is the right person for that. She helps people feel better. And that helps them move forward.”
The best tool in Daisy’s toolkit? Fresh air. “I know it works,” she says. “Going outside gives you a different perspective.”
A two-year COTS veteran, Daisy’s ultimate goal is to teach young children. In fact, in addition to her work at COTS, she’s pursuing a teaching certificate in Childhood Development at the junior college and working at a Montessori pre-school.
How does she do it all?
It helps to be an insomniac. “I have to really burn out to get a good sleep. I need to be this busy,” she says.
Daisy loves her work at COTS “because I’ve always been a helping person. I want to see other people do better.”
In return, “There are so many clients who uplift me,” says Daisy. “I love to hear the way other people think. I love to see every night small changes to where people do a 180 in their lives.” She marvels at the talents and wisdom of our residents. “So many artists,” she says. “So many people who understand computers or who have great stories. I learn so much.”
“But you also end up learning a lot about your own character [doing this work],” she continues. She’s the only one staffing the shelter at night, so “it’s things that other people don’t see.” By putting in the effort to be kind, resourceful, creative and hopeful, she’s learning about her own abilities, setting the stage for her next chapter.
A Sonoma County native, Daisy heard a lot about COTS growing up and while working as a security guard. “People talked about COTS and it made me curious. I wanted to learn more.” With the ambition of running her own pre-school one day, she pays attention to every aspect of COTS’ organization and management style.
We and our residents are lucky to have Daisy on the team.
The COTS Hour-at-Home – Thurs., Dec. 3
You may already know that this year, to prioritize the health and safety of our community, The COTS Hour is going Virtual! Instead of our usual breakfast, we will be airing The COTS Hour-at-Home on Thursday, Dec. 3 on YouTube, Facebook, and our website at cots.org. This will allow us to expand our social reach while maintaining social distance, and we are excited to try a new format in 2020.
Links to the event will be provided closer to the event. But for now, you can help us prepare in one of two ways!
1. Sign up to be a “Table Captain”
While this year, we won’t be renting tables, you can still spread the news of the broadcast – and COTS’ work to end homelessness – with your friends, coworkers, and family. Host a viewing party and share the recording with your network for maximum impact. Table Captains will receive a special swag bag prior to this year’s event, and other brand new benefits in 2020! Email Jamieson Bunn, Director of Development, at [email protected] or call (707-765-6530 ext. 100 to learn more or read our Table Captain 101 here.
2. Sponsor the event
Event sponsors make our work to end homelessness possible and set an example of philanthropy at a time when it’s needed most. And this year, we’re offering even broader visibility to our community than ever before with a virtual event with no guest limit and three broadcast times throughout the day on Dec. 3! Event sponsors receive the same benefits as Table Captains plus publicity for your business through COTS’ website, social media, and the event itself. Learn more by emailing Jamieson Bunn, Director of Development, at [email protected] or call (707-765-6530 ext. 100 – and check out our Sponsorship Benefits package here.
Thank you for your investment in our neighbors experiencing homelessness! Together, we can make sure everyone has the opportunity to find and keep permanent housing in Sonoma County.
Feeling uncertain about watching a virtual event? We made this helpful How-To Guide to show you how!
Business Profile: Bank of Marin
“Give to the world the best that you have and the best will come back to you.”
- “Life’s Mirror” by Madeline S. Bridges (Bank of Marin Founder Bill Murray’s favorite quote)
“If we do good, then everybody does better.”
That was Bank of Marin founder Bill Murray’s philosophy. And what did “doing good” mean for Mr. Murray? Turning a healthy profit, providing great services and giving back to his community.
The bank’s annual performance and ever-growing number of customers attest to his first two requirements. And we at COTS can vouch that 30 years after its founding, Bank of Marin still lives to give back to the community.
You can’t visit COTS without seeing reminders of Bank of Marin’s commitment to doing good. We drive a van donated by Bank of Marin, our office cubicles came courtesy of Bank of Marin, our kitchen and gardens have benefited from Bank of Marin employees’ volunteer labor. The Bank has been a generous and steady investor in our work and encourages their employees to do likewise; they match employee giving and provide paid time off for volunteering.
And we’re not the only good cause to be grateful to operate in Bank of Marin’s orbit. In Sonoma County alone, the bank supports over 50 nonprofits. Across the Bay Area, where Bank of Marin has 24 offices, they support more than 300 nonprofits.
The bank focuses its giving on housing and human services, education, the arts, seniors, and economic development.
And the bank tells us that during the pandemic they are doing even more, donating a third of the fees earned by submitting more than 1800 Paycheck Protection Program applications for local businesses to provide funds to local schools in the seven counties in which it operates. The bank’s one stipulation? The money must be used to ensure that low income children get the resources they need to keep up with school while distance learning.
Shelter Services Manager Robin Phoenix hugging the van Bank of Marin donated COTS
“We feel our obligation to be a community partner is greater than ever now, when so many are struggling,” says Russell A. Colombo, the bank’s current and longest-serving President and CEO. “The health of our nonprofits and schools is crucial to our shared recovery.”
The bank is “doing fine,” Russ says. “And many other businesses have made adjustments and are doing well. Those of us who aren’t struggling need to do things to help. We encourage other businesses to join us.”
Elece Hempel, the Executive Director of Petaluma People Services, says that Bank of Marin is “a partner in everything we do at PPSC.” That includes PPSC leadership: Claudia Levindofske, a former Branch Manager, serves on Elece’s board.
From tellers to operations managers and commercial lenders, Bank of Marin’s staff members influence many giving decisions. “We want our employees to support the causes that they believe in passionately,” Russ says. That passion gets shared, and soon, an entire branch is eager to help. That’s how Bank of Marin helped COTS with a fundraiser at Lagunitas a few years ago: one employee enlisted another. That person enlisted another, and soon there was a mighty group that threw a bash so lovely that our supporters outdid themselves.
That’s also how Bank of Marin became a big supporter of the Marin Symphony. Renee Rymer, a Market Manager, inspired a love of classical music and the symphony among her colleagues. Bank leadership took note and formed a partnership with the symphony that still endures. Renee retired from the bank but continues to serve on the symphony’s board.
According to David Short, Bank of Marin’s Regional Manager for Sonoma County, it’s especially important for team members to serve on nonprofit boards, and employees currently serve on over 60 boards. David says, “It’s through that leadership that we get to know about all the good work that’s being done by so many inspiring organizations.”
Thank you, Bank of Marin!
Want to read more stories about our business sponsors? Visit our Business Gives Back homepage by clicking here!
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