Joyce,

 

now that I've broken the ice, I think you will get a response from Julie, that will include what the City might offer in the way of grant money to apply for, when the applications need to be in, and what description of the program the counseling center involves so you can address facilities size, use permits, bathrooms and parking, and location. Chances are, an existing church facility, or even some accomodation in Parks facilities such as at King Kennedy or other park program with a building underused might get this idea moving along if you have the operating money to try it out.

 

If I can be of further asssistance on the technical end of setting up a facility, meeting the code requirements that operating or leasing the real estate requires, let me know.  I hope this helps your efforts. 

 

Pass of to Tricia and SCMHC group, whoever else is working on this project as this end of it is technically in need of real estate professionals if you want to set it up more than as a program at one of the churches.

Typical rents for downtown commercial in the district H Street south, 13th to 17th Street I suggested is about $1000 to $1250 a month, std rent rate for commercial property, about 1,000 sf. in size, or 12,000 to $15,000 a year just for rent, your utilities, phone, insurance, prop taxes if applicable on top of that as the value of what you are asking in a "free" site, or needed fundraising goal for a years worth of rent.

 

Recovery felowship halls usually are self supporting as part of the process.  Other groups you might include would be the big non profit MH services at Center for Human Services, talk to Monica. Sierra Vista, another good idea to see if the other non-profits, with money, might be interested in participating.  dbsa stanislaus is an independent non-profit, but Scott runs it on a shoestring, room donated for the support group at DMC.  Perhaps DMC Foundation, which has a meeting room at the site on mcHenry, might be interested, as affiliated but separate from the Hospital.  If your idea for the center is developed with the programs you seek to run are defined, good time to call a meeting with these other folks to see who might help you out.  Haven's Women's center, Nikki Lane at the Temp shelter as it is expanding with its new grant, should also be consulted to see what new programs this might fit in with, or be competing with for money, and see if some cooperation can be found there. 

 

I hope this helps.

 

jim

 

jim

----- Original Message -----

Ms. Julie Hannon, Deputy Director
Department of Parks Recreation and Neighborhood
P.O. Box 642
Modesto, CA 95353-0642
Phone: (209) 577-5417

 

RE:  possible uses for CDBG grant funding, or City assistance in finding a site for a community drop in center, self help counseling, day center for mental health clients. 

 

I am writing as a community volunteer for NAMI Stanislaus and former resource officer of SCMHC, to break the ice on talking to city staff on location, and get some advice for their project.  Please refer response to me only as a cc., and direct answers to Joyce Plis, NAMI Stanislaus  [email protected]

 

 A sizeable number of clients are included in the homeless community, low income and fixed income disability groups.  While programs may apply for MHSA Prop 63 funds through the county, the counseling self help volunteer center being considered would be possibly a joint venture with NAMI Stanislaus, Stanislaus Chapter of Mental Health Consumers, and other 501c3 groups affiliated with mental health advocacy and education.

 

Discussion with BHRS county staff, SCMHC and other client groups have developed an outline of what they would like to do with such a center, and the CRT Board has offered an operating grant, staff and service funding only, contingent the group find a "free" site, or otherwise supported by other grant monies, other fundraising, donations.  the other  contingency it be off the 800 Scenic BHRS campus or other regional centers, independent no-profit operation. Joyce would have the details on this, as I've not been a part of this project beyond writing this letter.

 

Our questions include.

1.  Is this type of program, eligible for CDBG grant review and request?

2.  Would the City have other resources and assistance from staff available for guidance in site selection. (I am familiar with parking, handicap access issues, but don't know the parameters of the project, that should be address to cc. Joyce Plis, NAMI Stanislaus and SCMHC Board member)

3.  Any leads on a "free" or subsidized site for such a center.  Social Security building comes to mind.

 

A type of counseling drop in center was discussed as part of the proposed Modesto Inn conversion I floated to council member Keating in 2003, when the social security building was also discussed as a one stop center for homeless and other low income services.  This is not a homeless center, but for general mental health client participation.  This is also a different concept than Sunshine Place. 

 

Thanks for receiving this request, and I appreciate what information you can provide, assistance to the groups involved.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim Christiansen, community volunteer. 

 

An email c.c. regarding this project was sent on to mayor ridenour who may not have reviewed it.  jdc