The Northern Nevada Community Steps Up in a Big Way for the Unhoused
From Neighbors Housing Those Struggling to New Motel Voucher Programs, the Help Coincides with Stormy, Frigid, Snowy Weather
Donation Drives, Voucher Programs and Generous Neighbors
Staff and volunteers with RISE started a new, no-questions-asked, motel voucher program after a poker player now living in Reno Patrick Sean Carter said he would make a match of $20,000. Friday, RISE reported it had over $30,000 worth of vouchers as snow remained on the ground throughout much of northern Nevada. One member said over 30 people had been housed, including a pregnant woman, as well as 13 pets. Volunteers helped with commuting and cooked meals for those who signed up for the rooms. The ongoing fundraiser can be found here.
Our initial story by Richard Bednarski quoted Mary Gilbert from RISE, who told us Washoe County had also instituted a voucher program for over 50 women who have been on the waiting list at the newly established and already full Our Place shelter.
Another story we published earlier in the week gave an update on Aric Coward, who had been pepper sprayed by a security guard at the emergency tent shelter on 4th Street, but has since been helped by advocates, including one neighbor now housing him in her downtown Reno apartment. We also heard another neighbor is now housing Linda, 70, who was featured in our podcast last week with her bags packed near the bus station, but not sure how to leave or where to go.
This Week’s Podcast Episode
Our podcast episode this week is with Troy who has stopped working as a carpenter locally after injuring his back and starting to go blind. He has been living in a tent with his girlfriend and a stray dog he calls Squeaker. In the episode, he explains with candor what he’s going through and how he survives. Find, subscribe and listen to our podcast by searching for “Biggest Little Streets” where you get your podcasts.
Our top Instagram post was more in the realm of current flag wars, after we posted a photo of a truck waving the Come and Take It flag, which historically dates back to the 1830s and growing tensions between Mexico and Texas. There were back and forth comments between several of our followers on that post. Our Instagram can be found by searching for “Biggest Little Streets” on that platform where we now have over 8,000 followers.
TWITTER and FACEBOOK COMMENTS
As storms raged down on our area, we had several posts asking what we could do for our neighbors out in the cold. “There are apparently dozens of trailers parked by the Alamo truck stop in Sparks, a person has mentioned it several times in various groups—have you seen the posts? I’m calling the truck stop today to see if they know who owns them, they could apparently house a few hundred people,” read one comment on Facebook. Several people suggested starting a new emergency shelter program at the unused Reno Events Center, with a lower entry barrier than usual, and longer sleeping hours, but that maybe hasn’t happened due to COVID-19 complications. Others suggested using rooms at Harrah’s which is in a slow conversion into apartment buildings. “Any news on what's going on with Harrah's? Is it currently empty/unused? I know there are plans to renovate eventually but not sure if that's underway - might it be employed for temporary emergency housing?” was one comment on Twitter.
To take part in those conversations you can follow us on our Facebook and/or our Twitter. Thank you for your continued interest and engagement with our multimedia reporting, trying to elevate the heroes in our community and giving a voice to those struggling among us.