About Us
Our History
Del Norte Mission Possible was established in 2020 with a clear purpose: to provide help and hope to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Del Norte County.
From the beginning, the organization has focused on building a coordinated, community-based response to homelessness—one that moves beyond temporary solutions and toward lasting stability. In partnership with the County of Del Norte’s Homeless Ad Hoc Committee, Del Norte Mission Possible has worked to establish the County’s first-ever year-round emergency shelter, creating a critical foundation for addressing homelessness locally.
Our approach is grounded in a Housing First model, recognizing that stable housing is the starting point for improving health, well-being, and long-term outcomes. By combining emergency shelter with relationship-based case management, we support individuals not only in meeting immediate needs, but in navigating a pathway toward stability and independence.
Collaboration has been central to our work. Our leadership has built strong partnerships with key service providers across the region, including the Del Norte County Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health, HUD, Sutter Coast Hospital, and the City of Crescent City. These partnerships allow us to connect individuals to the services they need while strengthening the overall system of care in our community.
We serve all individuals seeking assistance, including children, women, men, and families of all ages. Del Norte County’s homeless population is diverse, and our work continues to evolve in response to community needs identified through data, including the annual Point-in-Time count.
Today, through our partnership with the County, we are on the verge of opening a year round shelter campus—a major milestone for Del Norte County. This center will bring shelter, services, and coordinated support together in one place, creating a clear and sustainable pathway out of homelessness.
Looking ahead, Del Norte Mission Possible is committed to continuing this work—building a system that not only responds to homelessness, but ultimately works to end it.
Our Mission
Mission Statement:
Del Norte Mission Possible is committed to ending homelessness in our community by providing emergency shelter, relationship-based case management, and access to essential social services. In partnership with the Del Norte Senior Center and Mission Possible Ministries, we serve individuals and families in Crescent City, California, who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness—offering not just support, but a pathway to stability, dignity, and housing.
Vision Statement:
To build a community where homelessness is no longer a condition people live in—but a challenge we have solved through coordinated systems, shared responsibility, and lasting opportunity.
Core Values
1. Dignity First
We treat every individual with respect, compassion, and a belief in their inherent worth.
2. Housing as the Foundation
We believe stable housing is the starting point for improved health, stability, and long-term success.
3. Relationship-Based Support
We build trust through consistent, person-centered engagement—meeting people where they are and walking alongside them.
4. Collaboration
We work in partnership with community organizations, healthcare providers, and local leaders to create coordinated solutions.
5. Accountability
We are committed to transparency, responsible stewardship, and delivering measurable outcomes for those we serve and the community.
Leadership
Daphne Cortese-Lambert
Director of Homeless Services
With more than 18 years of frontline experience, Daphne Cortese-Lambert has dedicated her life to walking alongside individuals facing trauma, addiction, abuse, mental illness, and the devastating impacts of homelessness. She brings an unwavering commitment to restoring dignity, building trust, and fostering hope in the lives of those often left unseen.
Daphne’s work is fueled by both professional expertise and deep personal conviction. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Drug and Alcohol Counseling, is certified in Domestic Violence Counseling, and is trained in Crisis Intervention and Behavioral Health practices — with five years of specialized behavioral training. In addition, Daphne serves as an ordained pastor and counselor, blending clinical knowledge with compassionate, faith-informed guidance.
Known for her energy, heart, and tireless advocacy, Daphne has helped shape a more responsive, relational, and community-centered approach to outreach in Del Norte County. She is a cornerstone of the Mission Possible team and a driving force behind the systems of care that continue to evolve and grow throughout the region.
Her mission is simple but powerful: to meet people where they are, and never leave them where she found them.
Our Impact
Del Norte Mission Possible is more than a service provider—it is a community-driven effort rooted in compassion, resilience, and human connection. Each year, DNMP serves over 1,000 individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, and crisis, offering not only essential resources, but a pathway to hope and stability.
Through mobile outreach, the Navigation Center, and strong partnerships with local agencies, we walk alongside individuals as they move from crisis toward stability. Whether it’s a warm meal, a hygiene kit, transportation support, or a trusted case manager showing up week after week, our work is grounded in the belief that every person matters—and that change is possible.
DNMP is helping reshape how rural communities respond to homelessness—leading with dignity, building trust, and strengthening the role of community in creating lasting solutions.
