Councilman Ivy Engages With Grass Valley Homeless Issues

GRASS VALLEY — Last week, second-term Grass Valley City Councilman Tom Ivy continued his quest to understand local homeless issues by visiting Sierra Roots’ hot lunch for our unhoused neighbors. In addition to his “day job” as a local-born-and-raised contractor, Ivy has a lot of community issues he cares deeply about. During five years on the Council, fire risk, biomass, and recreation have been active concerns; as a former Planning Commission member, the huge challenges of housing and healthy economic growth have been on his radar for a long time.

Sierra Roots’ free weekly event has been taking place every Thursday for more than ten years – summers outdoors in Pioneer Park, winters indoors at the Community Church of Nevada City. By now, the non-profit’s volunteer lunch coordinator, Dianne Weichel, and her large crew know pretty much everyone by name, and they routinely ask about participants who miss a week. Are there limits to the welcome? Only an occasional firm, low-key reminder: “Watch your language.” “Dogs welcome on leash.” “No violence.”

Before, during, and after scratch-made lasagna, vegetarian protein, salad, and home-baked cake, Councilman Ivy listened with interest to first-hand stories of the challenges faced when homeless in Grass Valley. He was comfortable sharing that, although he is currently employed and housed, members of his own extended family have struggled with homelessness at times.

In a wide-ranging conversation, possible solutions were kicked around; Ivy clearly appreciated the lived experience of his co-lunchees. He thoughtfully considered a number of constructive ideas and committed to looking into complaints about past events in Grass Valley.

Councilman Ivy mentioned his long experience as a contractor, which has inevitably involved jobs that hit snags; over the years, he learned to ensure he understood the problem, minimized blame, and got creative about solutions. Whether it’s materials, labor, government red-tape, or unexpected site challenges, he is used to having to alter plans to achieve practical goals. He didn’t mention it directly, but it’s likely that both a construction project and a city government benefit when the players pull together as a team, avoiding bruised egos whenever possible.

Weichel, currently serving as Sierra Roots’ board chair, outlined for Ivy the range of services the non-profit provides, with emphasis on dignity and acceptance.

Sierra Roots holds the contract with Nevada County to operate the Extreme Weather Shelter when conditions warrant. Always activated on short notice, it is largely staffed by volunteers, who bring in two hot meals each day and fill daytime staff needs. Nevada County funding covers most operating expenses and wages for overnight monitors and a coordinator.

At the weekly hot lunch, free clothing, toiletries, and non-perishable, portable food, and the like are set out on tables, and a range of other basic necessities can often be supplied on request.

All in all, Councilman Ivy had a chance to experience the warm welcome extended to each person who shows up for lunch, and to hear first-hand about what our unhoused neighbors hope for.

More information…

https://www.cityofgrassvalley.com/post/tom-ivy

https://sierra-roots.org/