Our Mission and Vision
Empowerment of Individuals
MCHC aims to empower individuals and families by providing resources and support for achieving our client’s goals.
Community Stability
We envision a stable community where everyone can thrive with access to housing, food, and healthcare to reduce unnecessary suffering, and to encourage participation in community life.
Access to Resources
Offering access to essential resources is key to MCHC’s vision, promoting wellbeing for those in need. “…to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, and provide a path to personal wellness and community connection…”
Brief History
and
Establishment
Founding
Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center was established in 1985 by a local group of non-denominational Christians modeled after and supported by the Richmond, CA Rescue Mission, a member of the 100-year-old International Union of Gospel Missions.
MCHC became incorporated as a CA Non-Profit corporation in September 1986. The board initially looked to purchase a property on Airport Road.
Ultimately the house at 237 N. McPherson was leased then purchased at a cost of $77,700 from Sandra Aheart and opened on October 26, 1987. The initial proposed budget was $24,000 for a year with mostly volunteer labor.
Growth of Services
MCHC has expanded significantly to provide various essential support services to the community. Over the years, the
Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center has become a key provider of support services, impacting countless lives.
History of
Expansion and
Growth
Growth Milestones
• 2011 – Homeless Resource Center opens on S. Franklin and STEP case management program is offered.
• 2012 – MCHC Opens Harrison Street Transitional Housing Project, new case management programs begin including SAMHSA PATH • 2013 – MCHC opens the Wellness Center on S. Franklin, adds Mental Health Block Grant case management program.
• 2014 – MCHC starts providing Specialty Mental Health Care Management services.
• 2015 – MCHC acquires the Old Coast Hotel through a CDBG grant and generous donation from the Carine family.
• 2016 – MCHC opens Hospitality MH Clinic – Licensed Therapists and Medi-Cal billing, adds 10 beds of transitional housing at 101 N Franklin, starts providing ESG-Rapid Rehousing services. • 2018 – Coastal Street Medicine starts holding weekly clinics at 101 N Franklin.
• 2024 – MCHC contracts with the Fort Bragg Police Department to provide support services to CRU
Services
Provided
Overview of Services
Offered
Emergency Shelter
The center provides emergency shelter for individuals and families in crisis, ensuring safety, security, and basic needs – shelter, food, laundry, and showers.
Housing Assistance
Housing assistance programs help community members find stable and affordable housing solutions tailored to their needs. MCHC can provide housing search and placement services, including financial assistance through Rapid Rehousing, CalAIM Community supports, and other sources.
Income and Employment Assistance
Programs focus on the necessary skills to enhance employability and/or obtain public benefits such as CalFresh, SSI/SSDI, General Assistance Transitional Housing
Transitional Housing provides temporary accommodation for individuals in need, helping them transition to more stable living situations
Street Outreach/Street Medicine
Street Outreach/Street Medicine combines outreach efforts with connection to medical care to assist homeless individuals directly where they are.
Specialty Mental Health
Specialty Mental Health offers Medicaid-funded mental health services, including care management and mental health
rehabilitation.
Wellness Center/Homeless Resource Center
At 101N Franklin, community members can participate in a variety of groups, receive referrals and linkage to vital services, receive mail, have computer/phone/internet/fax access, and much more.
Emergency Shelter
Emergency Shelter Services
The Hospitality House offers immediate shelter for individuals facing homelessness, ensuring safety and support. The Hospitality House provides shelter for to up to 24 individuals per night with two meals per day, shower facilities, and laundry facilities. We also provide one community meal and shower/laundry facilities for those not staying in the shelter.
MCHC has agreements with county Adult Protective Services to take referrals of vulnerable APS client, and as of October 2024, we have an agreement with the Fort Bragg Police Department’s CRU team to reserve 1 shelter bed for immediate short-term respite for CRU clients.
Shelter guests can stay up to 180 consecutive nights and can receive the full array of applicable MCHC services.
2024 Shelter Statistics
• Bed Usage: 98.37%, 8,673 of 8,784
• 140 Stayers – 127 Adults, 13 Children
• Veteran Stayers: 8
• Stayers 65 Years or Older: 14
• Total Meals Served: 13,911
• Total Showers Provided: 5,022
• Total Loads of Laundry Provided: 2,843
Transitional Housing • Our project offers 24 beds across two properties, focusing on families with
children and individuals experiencing
mental health and/or substance abuse
issues.
• Clients are charged 30% of their income
for housing and case management.
• Residents can stay for up to 24 months.
• The program aims to support long-term
stability for individuals and families
experiencing homelessness.
• We focus on transitions to permanent
housing as quickly as possible.
• A total of 6 beds are earmarked for
the CRU team to provide placements.
Since 2016, our Transitional Housing Program has
served 160 individuals.
• 136 Adults and 24 Children Served
• 9 Veterans
• Adults Served with SMI Condition: 99
• Adults With SUD Issues: 44
• Adults With Chronic Health Condition: 52
• Average Length of Stay: 293 Days
• 70% of Program Exits Were to Permanent Housing
Housing Assistance &
Supportive Services
Housing Assistance Programs
Housing assistance programs help individuals and families secure stable living conditions, promoting long-term stability and well-being.
MCHC provides case management services to those experiencing homelessness and has various contracts which provide financial assistance to those who find and procure suitable permanent housing.
Case management includes Coordinated Entry assessments, housing search and navigation, rental and voucher application assistance, budgeting assistance, credit cleanup, landlord relations, and more.
Financial Assistance
Rapid Rehousing – Can pay for deposits and short-term rental assistance CalAIM Community Supports – Can pay for deposits
In The Calendar Year 2024, MCHC
Assisted 23 Individuals in Obtaining
Permanent Housing
This includes 18 Adults and 5 Children
An Additional 10 Clients Have Been Housed
From January 1 through May 31, 2025
Mental
Health and
Substance
Abuse
Support
Importance of Mental Health
Understanding the significance of mental health is crucial for overall well-being and recovery from substance abuse. The Hospitality Clinic offers Care Management and Mental Health Rehab services for Medi-Cal eligible community members.
Support Services Offered
Through collaboration with other local groups and agencies, MCHC offers linkage and support individuals facing substance abuse problems. This includes referrals/placements to in-patient and outpatient rehabilitation programs, referrals and support for MAT (medically assisted treatment) programs, and our Wellness Center hosts a variety of 12-step group meetings.
Path to Recovery
These support services are essential for individuals on their journey toward recovery and improved mental health.
Income and
Employment Services
Empowering Individuals
MCHC aims to empower individuals by providing access to life skills training that includes education directed at obtaining employment – interviewing, dressing for work, resume writing, and more. Our SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) trained staff guide clients through the application process which may take 40 hours on average.
Skill Development
Well rounded life skills education focused on developing practical skills that enhance employability and prepare clients for the job market, and those who are on an SSI/SSDI track benefit as well.
Sustainable Employment Opportunities
These programs help clients gain the necessary skills to find and maintain sustainable employment, contributing to their independence. Employment search and job coaching are available.
Empowering Through
Participation
• Shelter guests perform chores daily, cleaning the Hospitality House dorms, common areas, and grounds.
• Shelter guests prepare and serve all community meals, including the sandwiches for the two day/week lunch program. Shelter guests take the ServSafe food service certification course. • Shelter guests participate in a weekly community cleanup effort and a beach cleanup monthly. MCHC clients also participate in encampment cleanups.
• As part of their case plan, Transitional Housing participants engage in at least two hours of community service per week, volunteering for special projects at MCHC or working volunteer ours at another local non-profit (such as the Food Bank). • Clients' involvement fosters a
sense of ownership.
• Volunteer efforts strengthen
community bonds.
• Participation enhances
personal growth and skills.
• Collaborative efforts lead to
better service delivery.
• Engagement boosts morale
and creates a supportive
environment.
Community
Partnerships
Collaborations with
Local Organizations
Maximizing Resources
Collaborations with local organizations allow for the efficient use of resources, ensuring more people receive assistance.
Enhanced Service Effectiveness
By partnering with local entities, the Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center improves the effectiveness of its services and outreach efforts.
Community Impact
These collaborations significantly impact the community, helping to connect individuals with necessary resources and services.
Mendocino County Homeless services
Continuum Of Care
MCHC is represented on the CoC governing
Board and participates in monthly board and
committee
Mendocino Coast Clinics
Coastal Street Medicine is a
collaborative effort between MCHC and
MCC.
Fort Bragg Police Department – CRU Team
MCHC has worked closely with the CRU
Team since it’s inception and is now
contracted to provide services to CRU
clients.
Fort Bragg Food Bank
The Fort Bragg Food Bank provides
approximately 85% of the food used to
prepare meals at the Hospitality House.
Collaborations with
Local Organizations
Inter Agency Mental Health Collaboration
Through client sharing and weekly
collaborations meetings with Redwood
Community Services and Tapestry Family
Services, MCHC can better serve our Specialty
Mental Health clients.
County General Assistance and Adult
Protective Services
Through our relationship with these county
agencies, MCHC can coordinate services such
as General Assistance payments, IHSS
assistance, and employment search services
for our clients.
Other Collaborations
MCHC works closely with local providers to
connect our clients with individual services:
The Mendocino Coast Children's Fund, Project
Sanctuary, local faith communities, and more.
Volunteer and Donor
Contributions
Role of Volunteers
Volunteers are essential to the center's operations, dedicating their time and efforts to support our mission.
Impact of Donors
Donors provide critical funding that helps sustain programs and services aimed at supporting those in need.
Community Support
The combined efforts of volunteers and donors significantly enhance the community's ability to thrive and support its members. Since our inception, local community members and the local faith community have been the backbone of our operation.
Current
Challenges and
Future Goals
Ongoing Challenges
Faced by MCHC
Funding Shortages
• Although our funding for supportive services is expected to remains stable in the 2025-2026 term, shelter funding has been reduced, and the future of shelter funding remains uncertain. • MCHC’s service contracts rarely, if ever, include funding for property maintenance and upgrades. This funding is needed to keep our properties safe, compliant and effective for providing our services.
• With funding cuts to food programs, MCHC is seeing increased costs for groceries that are essential for providing our community meals.
• Looming cuts to Medicaid may affect MCHC’s ability to provide essential services.
Ongoing Challenges
Faced by MCHC
Service Challenges and Client Barriers
• A lack of available housing opportunities for very lowincome individuals. • Inadequate resources for the aging population
experiencing homelessness.
• Coordinated Entry process often excludes coastal
participants from receiving assistance.
• Lack of dual diagnosis inpatient facilities limits a
substantial number of clients experiencing homelessness and SMI from getting SUD treatment.
Goals For Improvement
Community Outreach
MCHC aims to improve our community outreach to raise awareness about homelessness and ensure that the community is informed about the we do and what resources are available.
Reaching More Individuals
A key goal is to ensure that more individuals in need can access the resources and support offered by MCHC. This mean expanding our Street Outreach efforts and enhancing our collaborations with community partners.
Enhancing Community Support
These goals contribute significantly to bolstering community support and fostering a sense of belonging. MCHC is seeking to expand its volunteer base and collect input about how we can tackle the issue of homelessness in on the coast as a community.
Call to Action for
Community Support
Volunteer Opportunities
We encourage community members to volunteer their time and skills to help those in need and foster community growth. There are a variety of ways that community members can volunteer their time, including facilitating a group, helping maintain our garden boxes, working in the kitchen, or lending your professional skills.
Donations and Contributions
Donating resources, whether time, goods, or funds, is essential for supporting our services and helping local initiatives.
Spreading the Word
Help us raise awareness about our services by sharing information with friends and family in the community. Take a tour of our facilities and learn what we’re about.
Thank You!
[email protected]
www.mendocinochc.org
www.mendocinochc.org/donate
For More Information Or To Find
Out How You Can Help
Mendocino Coast Hospitality Center
101 N Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
(707) 961-0172
[email protected]
www.mendocinochc.org
Collaboration for Success
Working together with local partners and
volunteers is crucial to overcoming challenges and
achieving our community goals.
To donate:
www.mendocinochc.org/donate
Uplifting Those in Need
By focusing on the needs of our community, we
can uplift individuals and families who require
support and assistance.