Our Programs

Del Norte Mission Possible serves as a navigation center for our local homeless community. Working with local governmental and other charitable organization, our homeless clients are able to access a variety of supportive services. Health Care, Social Services, Mental Health, emergency food and clothing, access to employment, and job training are just a few examples of available supportive services.

Del Norte Mission Possible is excited to announce the opening of our Mission Possible Home. The MP Home is transitional in nature and exists to help participants build success in life and move forward out of homelessness. 

We serve a target population of:

(1) low-risk, homeless women 

(2) who have pre-existing health conditions making them more susceptible to COVID, 

(3) and who have a desire to learn, accept help and utilize relationship case management to overcome barriers that have prevented them from self-sufficiency. 

The Mission Possible Home is focused on whole person healing coupled with life-skills. Everything we do has a foundation of restoring value to each woman. We offer a supportive environment that empowers women to self-sufficiency. Each woman will be valuable contributors to the process of upkeep, cleaning, cooking, gardening, planning activities and healthy meals. This is a 3-month program, and works toward the goal of permanent housing and skills to sustain that housing. We will consider a longer stay if participant is working toward goal and is unable to find housing. We also require 60% of income to be put into a savings. The financial model is used by Rouge retreat and is a proven best practice for achieving stability while promoting self-worth.

In addition, each woman agrees to work with a case manager and set weekly goals to work toward their unique end goals for the program. We celebrate each success together, and learn valuable tools along the way. We are grateful for partnerships within the community that assist to link women to services and agencies. Our goal for each woman who graduates our program is that they will learn to THRIVE and not just survive…for some, this will develop into peer-support specialist opportunities as they help at the house and in the field.

We have beds for 5 women, but are planning on starting small with 2, and building upon our success.  We have an application process to ensure the right fit for our unique program. A desire to utilize case management to reach goals is essential.

We have a team of women who are coming together to form a solid support system for our residents and are volunteering overnight stays. Each comes with a wealth of experience, expertise and heart to oversee and encourage the women, so there is always supportive supervision with a unique quality of friendship that will remain even after the resident leaves. If you or someone you know would be interested in volunteering, please contact Daphne 707-954-7319. This is an excellent opportunity for those who are working in furthering his or her education in the field of social services.

We have several women in our community who are coming together to make a difference by lending their skills. Some offer clerical help while others offer their wealth of life experience offering friendship and support. Some will come to teach art, health, exercise, therapeutic activities, make-up etc. Our desire is a community effort where women form a strong support group that will last after they leave the home.

In addition, we will be using the home for emergency interventions for low-risk overnight stays to keep women safe and secure while they are awaiting services or emergency appointments for doctor appointments.

We are working in partnership with DNATL Community Food Council to assist us with purchasing healthy food, and the Permaculture Guild is working with us in establishing a raised garden bed for healthy eating and therapeutic purposes.

This is an exciting endeavor, and an amazing opportunity to meet the needs of women in our community. As always, I am so honored to be able to offer these much-needed services. 

Working closely with Social Services, HUD, Behavioral Services, Open Door Clinic, Sutter Coast Hospital and other agencies will be a vital part of the relationship case management that we are offering. So, I appreciate ideas, questions and opportunities to work together more efficiently to achieve our end goal of promoting a healthy community. The partnerships and case management skills I am learning on a small scale now will be beneficial when opening the 52-bed shelter. I am grateful for your partnership and support. You are incredible, and together are making a difference! 

We would like to thank our partners! And invite our community to actively be a part of changing lives. For some it is through lending their skills, for others it is donations that are necessary for us to succeed. Together we can “flip the script”, and our ladies are more than worth it! 

Faithfully,

Daphne Cortese-Lambert, Director

Del Norte Mission Possible

900 Northcrest Dr. PMB 74

707-460-1411 (MP home)

707-954-7319 (cell phone)

It is our honor to partner with Del Norte County and Wild Rivers Foundation who have given Mission Possible the opportunity to facilitate the Community Showers Program every Tuesday. The showers are made by appointment and are held at the Coastal Inn and Suites. Through community support, we offer snacks, clean clothing, hygiene items and COVID safety materials. One of the key elements that make this program unique is the relationship-based case management that occurs. It helps add to the experience of dignity, hope, and empowerment to overcome barriers. 

A dedicated team of volunteers disinfects the showers, runs timers for showers, and assists in any way possible, so that I can make a personal connection with people. This has evolved to building trusted relationships, so I can help those struggling to survive, some dealing with trauma from living on the streets, others dealing with untreated mental health disorders, to get services. It is a privilege to welcome and bring hope to people who are struggling through building a trusting relationship. Hope, encouragement and empowerment go hand in hand. I am amazed at how key the “relationship-based” case management is to those who have had trauma and are facing hardship.

If you know anyone who would benefit from these services, please have them call 707-954-7319 and ask for Daphne. I would love to meet them.

If you would like to partner with our community in this endeavor, please make a donation and designate that you would like funding to go to this program. We will use your donation to purchase items that are necessary to meeting the basic needs that our neighbors are so grateful for.