United Way of Northern California works actively to help North State communities address the problem of homelessness. Unsheltered individuals and those who care about them can call 2-1-1 in Shasta and Tehama counties for up-to-date information and referrals to shelters and other support programs. 2-1-1 Tehama serves as a portal for Coordinated Entry in that county, where homeless individuals can register and be assessed and prioritized for services.
Project Homeless Connect
We helped organize and fundraise for Project Homeless Connect 2022, a returning annual event that connects people experiencing homelessness with critical services like health services and housing.
Shasta County Continuum of Care
United Way is a member of the Shasta County Continuum of Care, a local panel made up of nonprofits and government agencies that provide housing and other services to move people off the street.
Pathways to Housing
UWNC partners with Pathways to Housing, an organization that raises and manages funds to supplement homeless citizens in the Redding area as they move off the streets. Pathways to Housing ensures funds are immediately available to help move individuals off the streets when they are ready to change their circumstances. Under this model, Pathways volunteers go into the field, develop relationships with homeless citizens, and offer temporary housing opportunities. Clients must agree to act as responsible tenants by paying monthly rent and agreeing to work closely with a case manager. Tenants will then be placed on a waiting list for federally subsidized housing.
2023 South Market Street Micro Shelter Project
In June 2021, The City of Redding declared a Shelter Crisis and took steps to implement Emergency Housing Sites for the unsheltered population. In response to this crisis, The Redding City Council approved the South Market Micro Shelter Community. United Way of Northern California (UWNC) is proud to lead this effort in partnership with Pathways to Housing and The City of Redding.
The community consists of 8 single-occupancy micro shelter units for transitional housing. The program is a step in the right direction to give much-needed support and options to our unhoused community. "The unhoused population is a part of our community, and it's important that we show them our support," expressed Cherish Padro, UWNC Micro Shelter Project Supervisor.
The micro shelter project is a pilot program and staff are eager to adapt and learn how to best serve the community through this project. UWNC CEO Larry Olmstead says it best: "Where the learning is going to come is in operation." United Way is excited about this project and ready to pivot as needs arise to most effectively meet the needs of the residents, neighbors, and city." UWNC plans to open the South Market Micro Shelter Community in March 2023.
United Way is seeking donations for micro shelter items! Do you have extra toothpaste at your house? Bring it over! Do you have extra unused sheets or towels? Bring them too!
Please bring donated items to United Way of Northern California’s Redding office at 3300 Churn Creek Road. Contact Micro Shelter Program Site Coordinator Asia Clark at (530)-355-8855 or aclark@micro-shelter.com to find out what items are currently most needed. We thank you in advance for your generosity! If you would like to give to the project itself, visit our giving page and select the drop-down "UWNC Shelter Project."