Celebrating its first full year in operation, Richards Crossing in Carson City held an appreciation barbecue lunch Friday afternoon for its tenants and the volunteers who bring services to residents of the facility.
"This is an opportunity for us to show a little love for our residents here and for all of us to show some love to all of the great volunteers who have really gone the extra mile," said Nevada Rural Housing Authority Deputy Director Bill Brewer. "Not just to get the doors open, but to keep it running."
About 20 volunteers donate their time and resources on a recurring basis at the transitional housing facility for homeless and extremely low income residents located at 430 Jeanell Drive, said NRHA Real Property Administrator Heather Simola.
But those people are really just the tip of the iceberg when counting all of the volunteers who helped run the project since it opened in April 2017, Brewer said.
"It's a vast array of things, and it just keeps coming," he said. "The community has been superb in welcoming this project and the people who live here with all kinds of services."
Save Protect Foundation donates food and provisions to Richards Crossing, Brewer said, while other organizations like the Red Hat Society decorate the facility for the holidays.
Service providers bring their expertise to Richards Crossing. From on-site computer training led by the Professional Institute of Technology to foot and dental care, veterinary vaccinations, and others.
There are also plenty of individuals who each do something different to help residents feel at home. Some help take care of the books in the library and donate reading material, while others donate furnishings and keep resident pets supplied.
Brewer said the volunteers are the real key to the success of Richards Crossing over the past year.
"We provide the shelter and the housing, which is so necessary," he said. "But as far as all of the other things that go into living, the volunteers really help take care of all of that."
For more information about Richards Crossing or to volunteer provide services at the facility, contact Assistant Manager Danielle Erickson of Northern Nevada Community Housing at 775-337-9155, ext. 119, or email rcrossing@nnch.org.