MCAVHN is a 501c3 non-profit organization (Tax ID No. 68-015927)
Welcome to MCAVHN
We are the Mendocino County
AIDS/Viral Hepatitis Network
(MCAVHN)
The mission of MCAVHN is to :
•
Stop the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C,
and care for those affected
•
Assist in the reduction of harmful practices
•
Address the co-occurring disorders of mental
illness and substance use disorders, within an
integrated model of care and wellness-
focused services
The vision of MCAVHN is to be a dynamic partner in
creating a community that is:
•
Better informed
•
Empowered
•
Compassionate
•
Healthier
To make that vision a reality in Mendocino County,
please assist us by:
•
Making a donation
•
Attending Event of the Heart
•
Volunteering
To read our most-recent MCAVHN Newsletter,
Here are a few photos from our 2018 Event of the
Heart celebration.
To see sets of photos from EOTH events, as well as
other photo galleries,
For information about MCAVHN call 707-462-1932 or
contact us via email (mcavhn@yahoo.com)
UPCOMING EVENT
Our 32
nd
annual Event of the Heart
celebration will occur on the evening of
February 16, 2019
at the Ukiah Conference Center.
For complete information about the event,
becoming a sponsor, donating silent and live
auction items, and purchasing tickets
The Shelter Project:
MCAVHN is the lead agency for an effort that began in
2014 to address the emergency and temporary needs
for homeless citizens in our community who are the
most vulnerable: those having chronic illnesses and/or
mental health challenges which continue to make
significant barriers to the access of permanent
housing.
Background:
When it appeared that there would be no winter
shelter available in Ukiah for the winter of 2015-2016,
MCAVHN decided to join with a group called the
Homeless Services Action Group to work toward a
solution to this problem. Since many of the potentioal
clients for the planned shelter also use MCAVHN
services, it was a logical choice for MCAVHN take over
operation of the planned shelter, meaning that a new
501(c)3 organization would not have to be created.
In late August, 2015, an industrial warehouse building
was located in the area set aside by the city for
homeless shelters, and the project began to take
shape.
The process of raising funds involved many trips to
the Board of Supervisors’ meetings and the City
Council. The city eventually agreed to a $30,000
donation, and the county matched that and also
offered another $30,000 if the Group could raise an
additional $30,000. We were lucky to receive $10,000
from the Community Foundation and $10,000 from
Ukiah Valley Medical Group. Over $11,000 in
additional funds was raised in smaller amounts, and
that process continues.
In addition to this fundraising activity, preparation of
the building involved the efforts of many volunteers .
Volunteers cleaned the warehouse, painted walls, set
up partitions donated by the county, re-floored the
bathroom, created an ADA ramp for the shower
trailer, installed the washer-dryer pairs donated by
the Sheriff, set up the donated cots, and many other
activities. We couldn’t have opened without all of the
volunteer effort.
Nine people were hired to staff the shelter, and
MCAVHN continues to manage the budget, pay the
bills, handle the payroll, and house many of the clients
during the day in inclement weather. Libby, our
Executive Director, responds to night-time
emergencies as well as managing her regular staff.
Since we opened the shelter, we’ve been at capacity
most nights, and have had only a small number of
calls to the Ukiah Police Department. On occasion,
people have to be turned away, because of our 47-
bed limit. Beds are allotted by vulnerability, but it’s
always difficult to send someone out into the rain.
It’s been a learning experience, but a positive one,
knowing that some of our most vulnerable citizens
have a warm and dry place to sleep.
To make a donation to support The Shelter Project,
CLICK HERE.
The Shelter Project:
MCAVHN is the lead agency for an effort that began in
2014 to address the emergency and temporary needs for
homeless citizens in our community who are the most
vulnerable: those having chronic illnesses and/or mental
health challenges which continue to make significant
barriers to the access of permanent housing.
Background:
When it appeared that there would be no winter shelter
available in Ukiah for the winter of 2015-2016, MCAVHN
decided to join with a group called the Homeless Services
Action Group to work toward a solution to this problem.
Since many of the potentioal clients for the planned
shelter also use MCAVHN services, it was a logical choice
for MCAVHN take over operation of the planned shelter,
meaning that a new 501(c)3 organization would not have
to be created.
In late August, 2015, an industrial warehouse building
was located in the area set aside by the city for homeless
shelters, and the project began to take shape.
The process of raising funds involved many trips to the
Board of Supervisors’ meetings and the City Council. The
city eventually agreed to a $30,000 donation, and the
county matched that and also offered another $30,000 if
the Group could raise an additional $30,000. We were
lucky to receive $10,000 from the Community Foundation
and $10,000 from Ukiah Valley Medical Group. Over
$11,000 in additional funds was raised in smaller
amounts, and that process continues.
In addition to this fundraising activity, preparation of the
building involved the efforts of many volunteers .
Volunteers cleaned the warehouse, painted walls, set up
partitions donated by the county, re-floored the
bathroom, created an ADA ramp for the shower trailer,
installed the washer-dryer pairs donated by the Sheriff,
set up the donated cots, and many other activities. We
couldn’t have opened without all of the volunteer effort.
Nine people were hired to staff the shelter, and MCAVHN
continues to manage the budget, pay the bills, handle
the payroll, and house many of the clients during the day
in inclement weather. Libby, our Executive Director,
responds to night-time emergencies as well as managing
her regular staff.
Since we opened the shelter, we’ve been at capacity most
nights, and have had only a small number of calls to the
Ukiah Police Department. On occasion, people have to
be turned away, because of our 47-bed limit. Beds are
allotted by vulnerability, but it’s always difficult to send
someone out into the rain.
It’s been a learning experience, but a positive one,
knowing that some of our most vulnerable citizens have
a warm and dry place to sleep.
To make a donation to support The Shelter Project,
CLICK HERE.