Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) hosted more than 100 people at the second South Lake Tahoe Warm Room open house event on Feb. 22 where City Councilwoman Wendy David was honored for her participation in the establishment of the Warm Room.

David was facilitator of the Lake Tahoe Collaborative when a committee was established to create a vision and a plan for the Warm Room. Her support through nonprofit collaboration and in her role at the city of South Lake Tahoe has been greatly appreciated by all at TCH who have had the honor to work with her.

“I am so honored that you believe my participation in supporting the Warm Room was worth recognizing. I believe that our community is acting like a community should right now in having so many entities supporting our most fragile population, especially those without a home and a place to rest their heads,” David said.

The Open House also featured TCH’s community partners, who shared how they work with the homeless in the South Shore. In attendance were representatives from Bread & Broth, El Dorado County Mental Health Department, Live Violence Free and Tahoe Youth and Family Services. Social worker Barbara DeGraaf was also present to explain her role in the Warm Room.

“Volunteer social workers seek to link our guests with any services available to help address their homelessness. Our guests face multiple barriers to obtaining affordable housing, but we attempt to work together to develop a plan that includes small, achievable steps,” said DeGraaf.

TCH appreciates the dozens of individuals who celebrated the “share the love and bring a blanket” theme and donated blankets, food, toiletries and other Warm Room supplies. A special thank you to Jenn Lay of Chef Jenn’s Creations and to Caranina Palomino for providing delicious food for the occasion.

This article was provided by the South Lake Tahoe Warm Room, an emergency winter shelter providing warm beds and access to resources to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Warm Room’s tentative closing date will be April 15. Donations of supplies are still needed, as are funds for operating the Warm Room again in 2017-18. Contact the Warm Room at tahoewarmroom@gmail.com, at 775-573-0822 or at tahoehomeless.org.