Community Need Statement
Del Norte Mission Possible will provide help and hope to people who are unhoused. We are working to establish the County's first-ever year-round emergency shelter in partnership with the County of Del Norte's Homeless Ad Hoc Committee. We will provide emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness in Del Norte County using a Housing First Model with relationship-based case management. Our director is already successfully partnering with service agencies in the community such as the Del Norte County Department of Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health, HUD, Sutter Coast Hospital, and the City of Crescent City. In the future, Mission Possible will be a full-service navigation center.
The guiding rationale for the Housing First approach is that homelessness is detrimental to families and individual well-being, and obstacles to economic self-sufficiency or family well-being are more easily addressed if a family is in permanent, stable housing. We serve all people who seek assistance who need emergency shelter: Children, women, men, and families of all ages. We have a diverse homeless population and our 2020 Point in Time count will provide more detail regarding demographics.
Donors & Partners
- Community members who can no longer look the other way.
- Small donations from community members who will commit to a monthly contribution over time.
- Non-cash contributions from retailers who are part of large chain stores.
- Matching funds by organizations that are impacted by homelessness.
- Outreach by technology and paper mailing.
- Foundations that support emergency shelters.
- Organizations who are interested in community development.
- Members of the travel and tourism industry who are interested in giving visitors a positive view of our community.
- Members of the business community who are affected by the homeless.
Leadership
Key Partners
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
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
Key Partners
Leadership
Del Norte Mission Possible is more than a service provider — it’s a movement of compassion, resilience, and human connection. Each year, DNMP reaches over 800 individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, and crisis, offering more than just survival resources — it offers hope. Through our mobile outreach efforts, Navigation Center, and
Del Norte Mission Possible is more than a service provider — it’s a movement of compassion, resilience, and human connection. Each year, DNMP reaches over 800 individuals experiencing homelessness, trauma, and crisis, offering more than just survival resources — it offers hope. Through our mobile outreach efforts, Navigation Center, and deep partnerships with local agencies, we walk alongside people on their journey from crisis to stability. Whether it’s a warm meal, a hygiene kit, a bus token, or a trusted case manager showing up week after week — our work is grounded in the belief that every person matters, and no one is too far gone for a second chance. DNMP is helping to reshape how rural communities respond to homelessness — not with judgment, but with dignity, trust, and a relentless belief in the power of community to heal.
Key Partners
Key Partners
Key Partners
With Gratitude to Our Community Partners
Del Norte Mission Possible is proud to stand alongside an incredible network of partners who share in our vision of dignity, compassion, and real change. Our work would not be possible without the generosity, commitment, and collaboration of the following organizations and institutions:
- County of De
With Gratitude to Our Community Partners
Del Norte Mission Possible is proud to stand alongside an incredible network of partners who share in our vision of dignity, compassion, and real change. Our work would not be possible without the generosity, commitment, and collaboration of the following organizations and institutions:
- County of Del Norte – Championing community-driven solutions
- Del Norte Senior Center – Providing services with heart and hospitality
- Del Norte Solid Waste – Supporting cleanup efforts that restore pride and public spaces
- Sutter Coast Hospital – Extending care beyond hospital walls
- True North – Empowering rural voices and supporting systemic change
- Wild Rivers Community Foundation – Investing in local leadership and lasting impact
- Community Food Council DNATL – Nourishing bodies and building food equity
- Open Door Community Health Clinics – Meeting people where they are with compassionate care
- Community Shower Outreach – Offering dignity through hygiene and human connection
- Continuum of Care – Driving coordination and housing-first strategies across the region
- Elks Lodge 1689 – Standing in service to those in need
- First Baptist Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and the Methodist Church – Faith-based partners providing warmth, meals, and unwavering compassion
- Humboldt Area Foundation – Believing in bold ideas and helping them take root
- City of Crescent City – Supporting innovation and community-centered care
Together, we are not just providing services — we are building a safety net, restoring dignity, and creating a future where no one is left behind.
Thank you for walking beside us.