SPIRIT of Santa Paula is a 501C3 non-profit public benefit corporation established in 2002 to help the community work through the divisive issues of growth/no-growth. That all changed on Christmas Eve 2008 when we found a homeless man dead in one of our churches. Harvard Shelter - This year-round shelter is for homeless families and individuals in the Santa Clara River Valley of Ventura County, in
cluding the communities of Santa Paula, Fillmore, and Piru. We work closely with The Ventura County Whole Person Care Program and Homeless Services to shelter people and provide connecting services to more supportive housing. National Day of Prayer – SPIRIT is the coordinator for the National Day of Prayer held the first Thursday in May of each year. Many Meals - Although on suspension due to COVID-19, this program has been supplemented with a major food pantry each Wednesday for those who are homeless, at-risk, or having a hard time providing for themselves and their families. It is a place for fellowship, greetings, sharing of food supplies including fresh vegetables, protein, bread, cereals, milk, and a variety of foodstuffs. It is also a place where people can donate community service hours in exchange for fines and jail terms. It has become a ministry within the community of Santa Paula that was not intended but has been embraced. SPIRIT is an agency of Food Share and a recipient of the CalRecycle Grant. The director has a SafeServ Food Managers Certification and several workers have food handling certificates. Richard’s Drop-In Center - Located at 1498 East Harvard Blvd, Santa Paula CA - This service is available each weekday from 9 to noon. Homeless people can come for encouragement, real food, fresh fruit, and coffee, tea, milk, and juices. Those who need it for any reason can get a lunch or dinner “to go”. One-Stop is every Friday where unsheltered people can receive counseling, homeless services, a hot shower, and see a doctor. They are registered into the Homeless Management Information System which connects them to all available resources. A Little Laundry - Eligible homeless people can have their laundry done for free each Friday morning so they can put on clean clothes when they go for their showers. Prescriptions – We assist the homeless and the very poor with co-payments to be sure they get their medications. We also direct them to agencies that provide insurance or other assistance. In some cases, we will intervene with physicians to get medications exchanged or dosages re-adjusted so the medication is affordable. USDA Distribution on Saturdays – Each Saturday morning between 8 and 9 am, SPIRIT distributes between 1 and 2 tons of food to income-qualified families. Supplies are frozen meat, canned vegetables, and soups, beans and rice, canned fruit. We make a trip to FOOD Share on Fridays for free shopping of produce and dairy for this distribution. Food Pantry – We have a well-stocked pantry and provide food on an emergency basis. We often deliver to those who are home-bound or without transportation. Food Sources – We pick up food from a variety of sources each week. Albertsons in Simi Valley, Whole Foods on Saturday mornings, Winco on Sunday morning, and FOOD Share on Tuesdays and Fridays. Utilities and Rent – United Way provides a grant of approximately $10,000 to assist families in staying sheltered by helping with utilities and rent payments. Homeless Court Advocacy – SPIRIT is approved by County Superior Court to work with people who need to work community service hours as part of probation or payment or citations. Pastoral Visits into the Jails – Kay Wilson-Bolton is approved by Ventura County Sheriff’s Department to have pastoral visits to inmates. We also provide free notary services to inmates who often need to transact business for the family while incarcerated. Homeless Count – SPIRIT is the local leader in working with the County of Ventura for the annual Homeless Count which determines what level of services come into the area. We don’t particularly need the services to come to Santa Paula. We provide transportation for those who need to get to the services. Food Rescue – With our training in food safety, we are able to pick up leftover food supplies from parties, funerals, fundraisers and local trusted caterers. We have 15 refrigerators and freezers available to us in three locations. We move food quickly through the drop-in center, Many Meals and church services, and bible studies throughout the week. Mediation – SPIRIT also provides free neighborhood mediation when families are in dispute and need resolution. One board member is a co-mediator in Ventura County Superior Court. Cooperation with the Health Clinic – TB tests, emergency visits, and special consultations when necessary. Chaplain Visits to the Hospital – The Director of SPIRIT is a Chaplain with Ventura County Fire Department and is often called on to visit homeless people who receive emergency treatments or to minister to families with loved ones in ICU. Cleaning, Clearing and Hauling – This is a for-profit enterprise that helps put people back to work. We collect estate items and either sell them to support our programs or donate them to needy families. Employees are covered by liability insurance and Workman’s Comp.
