Murphys, CA… Faith Lutheran Church in Murphys has officially kicked off a new project to renovate the former Senior Center thrift store located on church property into a small 2 bedroom, one bathroom residence which will then be leased to  Sierra HOPE as part of its Permanent Supportive Housing program. 

“Having participated on the Calaveras County Homeless Taskforce and the 2019 point-in-time count of the homeless in our county, Faith and Mountain Ranch Lutheran Churches are intensely aware of the lack of affordable housing in our area,” said Rev. Karen Johnson, who serves as pastor at both congregations.  “When the building on our property became vacant, we reached out to Sierra HOPE and determined that it could be renovated and used for their clients who are people at high risk of becoming homeless due to mental or physical disability.”

The structure needs to be brought up to current code for residential use. . Construction includes new windows, new insulation, new heating and cooling equipment, adding a bedroom, remodeling two restrooms into a single bathroom with laundry equipment, and new interior finishes. Completion is anticipated by April 2021.

Stable housing and supportive services can allow otherwise homeless individuals become self-sufficient.  Sierra HOPE case managers work with tenants on an on-going basis to help them remain in stable housing and meet their health care needs.  “We are really quite excited about this development,” said Jerry Cadotte, executive director for Sierra HOPE. “At a time when the difficulty of finding affordable housing for the members of our community most in need is at an all-time high, this addition to our permanent supportive housing program will truly change lives in a positive and fundamental way.”

Faith Lutheran estimates it will need $92,000 to complete the renovation and is reaching out to the community for support.  Donations can be made at:

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/building-a-home-for-hope1

About Faith Lutheran Church

Faith Lutheran Church is home and sponsor of the Murphys Senior Center and Murphys Food Pantry on our campus. Faith participates in the annual CROP Hunger Walk and county produce days, as well as Murphys Irish Day and Grape Stomp Day (both canceled this year). Faith also stocks a cabinet with free clothing, toiletries, and tarps for those who might need them. To learn more about Faith Lutheran Church, visit www.flcmurphys.com.

About Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church

 Mountain Ranch (MRLC) is a very small, very rural congregation, and many members are leaders in the Mountain Ranch Community Club and the Mountain Ranch Resource Center and Food Pantry. The Resource Center and Pantry were started by MRLC members. Mountain Ranch Lutheran also hosts a shower ministry, offering the use of our shower free of charge.

About Sierra Hope

Sierra HOPE, founded 1989 as the Sierra AIDS Council provides a wide range of housing and supportive services to the residents of Calaveras, Tuolumne and Amador counties. Headquartered in Angels Camp, Sierra HOPE’s mission is to promote individual dignity and support the health and well- being for at risk members of our community through compassionate services.  To learn more about Sierra HOPE visit www.sierrahope.org.

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