This episode of Talk of the Bay included Megan Whilden, Development Director for Community Human Services who spoke about the overwhelming response the organization has had to the opening of 35 new shelter beds for women and their children.
Monterey’s First Shelter for Homeless Women and Families with Children Opens in November
Public Invited to Open House and Ribbon Cutting Saturday, November 4th
(Monterey CA) Community Human Services, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing mental health, substance abuse, and homeless services in Monterey County, is thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of Shuman HeartHouse, a much-needed shelter for homeless women and families with children. The shelter, which can accommodate up to 35 individuals, is set to open in early November, in Monterey, thanks to the community’s generosity, many donors, and the efforts of its founder, Mark Shuman. There are currently over 200 homeless women and families with children on the waiting list for shelter space.
Community Open House & Ribbon Cutting on Saturday, November 4th
Before it opens to guests, Community Human Services invites the community to a special preview event. Join us for a ribbon-cutting and open house on November 4th from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Shuman HeartHouse, located at 600 E. Franklin St. in Monterey. This event is sponsored by the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce.
A Vision Turned Reality
Shuman HeartHouse started as a dream of Mark and Adriana Shuman. Mark Shuman expressed his determination, saying, “It has always been our vision to have a shelter in Monterey where there is so much need but so many constraints due to lack of water and appropriate building sites. For years, I tried to find a building in Monterey. In 2020, I finally came across a perfect property on Franklin Street! I knew it was our job to make this happen. Because of my family’s commitment to Casa De Noche Buena, I knew Community Human Services would be the perfect partner to make my vision a reality.”
Strong Community Support
The realization of Shuman HeartHouse Shelter has been made possible through countless donations from community members, both large and small. The Shumans purchased the property at 600 E. Franklin St. and donated it to be a shelter, and a significant $2.5 million state budget appropriation was made possible by District 17 Senator John Laird. This collective support underscores the community’s commitment to addressing homelessness in Monterey County.
How You Can Help
You can play a vital role in helping the homeless in our community. Consider supporting Shuman HeartHouse Shelter by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List
(Link https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3JPZGF30OFHD5 ). Your gifts will directly benefit women and families with children in need as they transition toward stable housing and employment.
Community Human Services is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality mental health, substance abuse, and homeless services to Monterey County residents to help them reach their full potential. Community Human Services was founded by local volunteers and has served Monterey County for over fifty years. For more information about the ribbon-cutting event, how to support Shuman HeartHouse Shelter, or the programs of Community Human Services, visit chservices.org or call 831-658-3811.
