Rescue Mission’s Plans to Expand Eureka’s Women & Children’s Shelter Grow More Costly and More Urgent as Renovation Moves Ahead

A room of beds configured in a cramped space reflects the transitional adjustment during a facility renovation as families await more space in the rescue mission in Eureka.  [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

A room of beds configured in a cramped space reflects the transitional adjustment during a facility renovation as families await more space in the rescue mission in Eureka.  [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

Humboldt County’s winter seasons are especially unforgiving for homeless mothers with children, and readily accessible resources can be hard to come by.  Eureka’s Rescue Mission hopes to expand its capacity in the next six months, and eventually nearly triple their capacity with an ambitious remodel project in progress.  We spoke with the Executive Director Bryan Hall and were given a tour of the space to get an idea of what is on the horizon. Redwood heartwood planks, thinning copper pipes, century old stairs and walls, as well as a worn out roof are all slated for removal or repair as part of the renovation and remodel project at the Women’s Shelter. And, not a moment too soon. 

According to Hall, who is overseeing the large renovation project on Third Street in Eureka’s Old Town, the Women and Children’s Shelter located on the same block opposite the Rescue Mission is currently able to accommodate about 34 moms and kids under 12 years old.  Hall told us that the project is badly needed because, “there’s a waiting list right now for women and children who are on the streets finding themselves homeless.”  

Hall explained that women and kids coming to the rescue mission show up for a variety of reasons but noted that drug use has increased, exacerbating the need for shelter and support.  He said, “The mission has been here since 1967 and so we’re seeing many more homeless and much more drug-addicted people coming to us, and unfortunately the children suffer especially in those kinds of situations. So we have started this project, and it’s been in long-time planning.”  

Not only did we take a tour of the old building to see what conditions were currently like, but did so on a day that the program held a graduation ceremony for some of its residents who had attained stability after the devastating and often physically and potentially mentally debilitating experience of being unhoused.  Hall told us that the ministry sends its members and donors a regular newsletter which highlights these accomplishments.  Hall said, for example, their “newsletter every quarter is chock-full of women and children stories of being – coming here, and leaving here and into permanent housing with their lives put together.” 

The original building, “well over 100 years old” according to Hall, is slated for a major overhaul, with Phase One set to completely renovate this lower level section of the huge building. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

The original building, “well over 100 years old,” according to Hall, is slated for a major overhaul, with Phase One set to completely renovate this lower level section of the huge building. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

Standing in the middle of a cavernous, mid-construction, over a century-old gutted redwood garage building – originally used for buses, according to Hall – he described the vision for the new and improved Women and Children’s Shelter.  Hall explained, “The second phase and the third phase together is about $600,000 so, or more, you know things are increasing in cost and inflation and stuff, it’s a big factor in the world we live in today. We don’t receive government funding. We are all privately funded, so there’s local donations from local people.” 

The early phases of the project were complicated by COVID-19 which delayed work at times, contributed to increased production costs, as well as created logistical challenges for a congregate living setting where the goal is to house as many people as can fit – Hall emphasized that living space was valuable, and efficiency was a top priority for the organization.  Rather than packing the facility as he would have pre-COVID, Hall needed to maintain a six foot distance between beds, and so had to get creative with organization in order to allow for as many beds as possible within the six foot spacing rule of physical distancing which was required by a local health order and recommended by the CDC as COVID-19 persisted, and continues to circulate and cause outbreaks.  

A woman sleeps on a bed inside the shelter, where about 35 beds are filled each night at the Women and Children’s Shelter at the Eureka Rescue Mission. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

A woman sleeps on a bed inside the shelter, where about 35 beds are filled each night at the Women and Children’s Shelter at the Eureka Rescue Mission. [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

In regard to the rising cost of the project, Hall said, “A year and a half, two years ago the approximate bid on this project was under $1 million and so now it’s over $1,500,000.  It’s a lot of money, but it’s the need, that’s the thing… This is women and children we’re talking about, and getting them off the streets into a safe place away from anybody who would want to harm them, get them out of the drug culture, bring them in here where it’s nice, safe, good food… lots and lots of love, and to get them in here and get them safe and get their lives back together.”

With a pause in construction, the outline of an original staircase going to the second floor can be seen on the slatted redwood walls of the gutted, old building.  [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

With a pause in construction, the outline of an original staircase going to the second floor can be seen on the slatted redwood walls of the gutted, old building.  [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

Gesturing to the gutted building where renovations were under way, Hall explained that Phase One of the  project aims to be completed in December and that the funding for that portion of the project is secured. “This is Phase One which you’re seeing here, and so there’s this area, there will be a small kitchen in the corner, there will be a multipurpose room, there will be a boutique, it will have the ADA showers and restroom facility here… .”  Pointing to a space occupied by beds and women sharing a rather cramped space, Hall added, “Up forward a little bit is where our dormitory will be.” 

Describing the renovation and addition of bedrooms and family rooms, Hall added, “I’m not sure which walls are going to be torn out – some of the rooms are gonna be bigger and turned into family rooms so we’ll have singles downstairs in the dormitory, and upstairs will be for family women and children. So over the years we’ve had tons of women and children and families come in here, you know, fleeing being beat up, and coming in here and being able to get their lives together and get safe, fleeing domestic violence situations.” 

Get a look at the inside of the building, as Bryan Hall explains the project briefly in this video.  [Video by Ryan Hutson]

As we discussed the transition while the renovation was in process, Hall explained that it will be a tight winter with the project under way, but expected to be able to use some of the space to safely add bunk beds.  Hall described the plan saying that they would be able to “utilize the boutique room, and the multipurpose room temporarily, so that we will be able to put bunk beds in. Right now we actually have a capacity of 34 women and children on any given night. When this is completely finished, we will be able to house at least 70 or more women and children a night.”

While the Mission is a Christian Faith-based organization, heavy on the biblical lessons within the program, Hall assured me that all faiths and atheists are welcome to take advantage of the resources and  the program offered, and would not be turned away or discouraged from enjoying support.  [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

While the Mission is a Christian Faith-based organization, heavy on the biblical lessons within the program, Hall assured me that all faiths and atheists are welcome to take advantage of the resources and  the program offered, and would not be turned away or discouraged from enjoying support.  [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

While we toured the space, going upstairs to see the dormitory area in transition, Hall yelled up the staircase a few times to announce his presence, “MAN ON THE FLOOR! MAN ON THE FLOOR…” which was echoed a few times by women above us on the second floor, as the sound of children’s small, quick footsteps scurried behind hastily closed doors as we approached.  Looking around, it was clear that the living space was in transition, it’s organization dictated by the spacial needs of the construction crew week to week.

As we looked around, he showed me the boutique room which was temporarily displaced by construction below, but showed an organized area with racks of women’s clothes, sourced from the thrift store. Hall explained that women and kids coming off the streets were given the opportunity to get cleaned up, fed and rested, as well as select a fresh outfit of their liking.   

A bedroom upstairs is emptied and prepared for a family room renovation.  [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

A bedroom upstairs is emptied and prepared for a family room renovation.  [Photo by Ryan Hutson]

Hall encouraged community members to show support by donating functional items such as women’s clothing in good condition, furniture, and other sellable items to the Rescue Mission Thrift Store which supports the cause.  “We have a thrift store on Broadway, so anything furniture – furniture, it barely hits the floor and it’s gone – and people come in, they’re always looking for furniture. If it’s in good shape we will receive it,” adding “we are a 501(c)(3) so any gifts, financial, furniture, whatever it is…”  

To offer support, one can call the Rescue Mission office at (707) 445-3787 and ask about how to donate, or bring functional items like furniture to their affiliated Rescue Mission Thrift Store at 1031 Broadway, Eureka. Hall says, “I mean, every little bit helps. $5 dollars a month, $10 a month,” as well as being able to set up automatic donations.  Hall mentioned that if a person chooses to give a one-time gift, that can be sent to PO Box 76, Eureka, CA 95502 and also that donations can be made online with PayPal via their website.  

For his part, the Rescue Mission leader felt positive of the project’s value and remains committed to seeing it come to fruition, for the benefit of the community.  Ending our tour on a positive note, Hall said that with the completion of the project slated for 2023, “We will be able to almost triple capacity of what we are at right now. Hopefully, [we] won’t have any waiting list.” 

According to Hall, it is impossible to get a totally accurate census of unhoused demographics in the county at any given time, because this can only be estimated using surveys and volunteer efforts to assess known areas where homeless encampments are located, for example.  What he was sure of, however, was that the need is greater than the county’s ability to currently provide for, and is an urgent problem needing to be addressed.  

Photos of the renovation plans, provided by Executive Director Bryan Hall:

Eureka’s Rescue Mission women's shelter plans. Eureka’s Rescue Mission women's shelter plans. Eureka’s Rescue Mission women's shelter plans. Eureka’s Rescue Mission women's shelter plans.

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Corporate Serfdom
Guest
Corporate Serfdom
1 year ago

The military industrial complex gets billions because we take pride in having to rely on someone else for protection. If every responsible adult was armed and trained, we wouldn’t need to hand over our hard earned money to war profiteers.

The corruption at the top of the food chain results in having the poor live down stream from the rich.

Nooo
Guest
Nooo
1 year ago

Constant carping with unrealistic expectations are not going to replace reality and are worse than useless. It only takes a few irresponsible, angry, ignorant, fearful, paranoid, greedy, predatory, competitive or just cranky people to destroy any group with such naive ideas. And why the magic words “it’s not fair” cease to have meaning for adults.

Corporate Serfdom
Guest
Corporate Serfdom
1 year ago
Reply to  Nooo

Constant Carping is modern day propaganda is.

ThrivalistD
Member
Thrivalist
1 year ago
Reply to  Nooo

It isn’t about some vague conception of fairness, it is about having a healthier community and our first priority being basics for everyone, especially the elderly and children and they too depend on their fellow humans having basic needs met instead of having streets and parks and libraries etc filled with the destitute.

Last edited 1 year ago
ThrivalistD
Member
Thrivalist
1 year ago

Last paragraph of your make sense. As for the first….“Every responsible adult” and “armed and trained” are mutually exclusive. Absurd. Armed and trained to work in community gardens in every neighborhood and to be active in government instead of expecting to throw chump change at it and pay it no mind other thancomplaining and maybe voting every few years it then expect it to run well.

Stillwantstoknow
Guest
Stillwantstoknow
1 year ago

I Thank God for places of mercy and grace such as this rescue mission.

I stayed there once upon a time for a few weeks. Could’ve ended up dead on the streets or a victim of human trafficking. So glad to know there’s a place for the children.

Praying for blessings for this project. They were a steppingstone to stability for me.

guest
Guest
guest
1 year ago

Is this shelter for female homeless and children? I’d support that. It is much needed.

Is it transwomen inclusive? I’d would not support that. Women and children need spaces away from men.

guest`
Guest
guest`
1 year ago
Reply to  guest

I second that.

Wtf
Guest
Wtf
1 year ago

There is a serious issue in sohum, it’s real sad. I see homeless kids. Like actual children living in a tent in a bush.

Coping
Guest
Coping
1 year ago
Reply to  Wtf

Without an addult to look after them?

grumpyguy
Guest
grumpyguy
1 year ago

For this price, they could have purchased multiple motels in town.

crap
Guest
crap
1 year ago
Reply to  grumpyguy

Yea but the money people put in their pockes would not be as much as the grants they got to do this.

Antichrist
Guest
Antichrist
1 year ago

Good job , now maybe they will concern themselves with a shelter for males with children as well which hardly ever gets noticed , fathers are often forced to put up with abuse if they want to stay to protect their children from abusive women , this leaves them exposed greatly to future abuse , often resulting in their inability to keep control and not fight back until one day they do and all we get to hear about is how some piece of shit male beat the living daylights out of the mother of his children . There is a very real need for shelters for males with children , however most will never admit it

Stillwantstoknow
Guest
Stillwantstoknow
1 year ago
Reply to  Antichrist

If I remember correctly there’s a building for the men as well. But they are NOT government funded. This is a privately funded project funded by donations and a thrift store. I’m not sure if the mens building has a family section or not. The buildings are very old and getting run down. I’m sure they would love to build a men’s family section if you would be willing to donate the funds.

Palk
Guest
Palk
1 year ago

the community and state are quick to fund battered womens shelters but completely ignore the men. its completely sexist.

dont even try to say men can take care of themselves, have you seen men lately? they are all feminine. they are weak and powerless. they are prone to abuse from women which i personally see many times.

when will we have a battered mens shelter where they can take their children to hide from abusive women?

R Hutson
Guest
R Hutson
1 year ago
Reply to  Palk

In the article, it is noted that this building sits opposite the Eureka Rescue Mission’s main building, which in fact houses men. Thank you for reading the article.

crap
Guest
crap
1 year ago

Why doesn’t all the homeless that will benefit from this pitch in and help with labor? They many not have money but the least they could do it help.

Pedro
Guest
Pedro
1 year ago
Reply to  crap

They do. The mission has work crews that do all sorts of things in the community, such as graffiti cleanup and litter removal. The program members frequently aid the construction project, but are severely limited by insurance. Seems silly but the state has laws about it.

InternetCrumpet
Guest
InternetCrumpet
1 year ago
Reply to  crap

Many of the homeless are victims of trauma and mental illness. Many are disabled. Many are self-medicating and will require a lot of healing before they could be asked to undergo assistance with construction. It’s not so easy as handing random people off the streets a hammer; the building has to be to-code, meeting government standards of construction, so the people working on the building need to be trained and certified civil contractors otherwise, if a load-bearing wall were to come down and hurt people, the shelter would be liable.
I understand what you mean that since this benefits them, it would be nice if those who were able pitched in, but we shouldn’t shame the homeless for not offering their labor. Many are just struggling to survive the day, and don’t need any extra burdens or to be shamed for not being productive enough. The US has taken meritocracy too far.

Last edited 1 year ago