In the Know (Continued from page 8)
The Giving List (Continued from page 32)
Retreaters at La Casa de Maria couldn’t see across San Ysidro Creek prior to the debris flow, but the creek bed grew by more than double, with plenty of natural lushness lost
PATH has provided temporary and permanent home options, while also working with local motels and hotels for housing during the pandemic
positive that the community has been investing more and getting more creative with the roles that each of us can play in getting people off the streets, out of the shelter system, and into their own permanent homes.” PATH’s multi-pronged approach is itself somewhat innovative as rather than just providing temporary shelter the local organization includes: the Interim Housing facility at what used to be called Casa Esperanza before its merger with PATH; a Rapid Re-Housing for those suffering temporary homelessness; a Permanent Supportive Housing program; and Employment Services to help individuals experiencing homelessness find and retain employment, while also working toward long-term housing, health, and stability goals. It’s all in service of PATH’s mission to end homelessness for individuals, families, and communities by providing housing, person-centered supportive services, and community engagement. Madden Storms believes the problem can be solved, noting that the local homeless population numbers approximately 2,000. It’s too many, of course, but it’s also possible for the community to get really close to functional zero of ending homelessness. Madden Storms reiterated that PATH can’t make that happen on its own. But, she said, “the most special thing about the Santa Barbara community is that we have an incredible group of people who advocate and support and champion the work that we do like our ambassadors. It’s uniquely special because we have really only been in the community for six years. To have that support is really second to none.” And now that the pandemic is largely behind us — although full-time mask-wearing and other restrictions remain in place at PATH’s Cacique Street facility — there’s the hope that the fading threat and warmer weather doesn’t result in the community forgetting about people who are still
40 MONTECITO JOURNAL
very much in need, Madden Storms said. On the theory that nobody is truly housing-resistant, PATH is adding an outreach specialist to its local team.
“What’s at the core of our model and our approach is this concept of meeting people where they’re at” — Tessa Madden Storms, PATH’s Santa Barbara Regional Director
“It requires a personal connection,” she explained. “What’s at the core of our model and our approach is this concept of meeting people where they’re at. The outreach specialist is really going to help us connect with people who are actively living on the streets, those neighbors who are homeless, meet them, engage with them, and understand them and start to build relationships. “And not only with the individuals experiencing homelessness in our neighborhood, but also the businesses and community at large to connect the communities.” The goal is to reach even the most intractable of the street dwellers and make large strides toward accomplishing PATH’s mission, Madden Storms said. “It might take a couple of weeks or a month, or it might take a number of months to a year, but that constant engagement, communication, and relationship-building could result in someone being willing to come into PATH or another facility. That’s what starts them on their journey home.” •MJ For more information, visit: epath.org or call (805) 884-8481.
$75 million in needed fundraising. If all goes according to plan, breaking ground should begin by the outset of 2022 — if not earlier. With the outdoors taking on new importance throughout the pandemic, Buczko and Swain know that once La Casa starts taking reservations, the 10,000-12,000 people it served annually before the debris flow might grow exponentially. “People who know us, absolutely love it,” Swain said. “And we believe that audience will grow once people experience what we are going to become.” On June 24, all the work will take an official step forward, as La Casa’s partnership with the California Wildlife Conservation Board finally comes to fruition, some four years after La Casa had received a near million-dollar grant from the board to aid in the preservation of the steelhead trout that are prevalent in San Ysidro Creek, as well as kickstarting a project that will build an underground cistern to collect and store run-off and rainwater for landscaping and the facility’s certified organic orchard. Both Buczko and Swain point to partners such as the CWCB as the buoys that keep La Casa committed to its new vision. “We believe in what we can do here, what it was and what it will be,” Buczko said. “And when our partners also believe in it, well that tells us that we aren’t alone.”
Rattlesnakes Rearing Their Heads; SBWCN Has Some Tips
It wasn’t a message that any neighbor wants to see on the NextDoor app: “Rattlesnakes Galore. We found FOUR RATTLESNAKES on our property TODAY! My nerves are shot!!! Also saw a bear last week. It’s a jungle out there, neighbors. Please keep a watchful eye out everywhere you step and be really careful with your pets and especially your children. We have had four snake bites to three different pets over the years. They all
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.” — Steve Jobs
survived by spending a fortune on antivenom and vets. I recently took my dog to a rattlesnake aversion class and I’m not so sure it worked.” It got better: “Another one on my driveway this morning. FIVE in 30 hours. I’m heading to the city for a few days with the dog and the rest of my family are not allowed to go outside.” It’s the season where the likes of rattlesnakes and other wildlife are out perusing our rarefied enclave, so it’s probably time to freshen up on what can be done to protect domesticated animals from those that ride on the wild side. Julia Parker, the director of operations at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, and her team have some tips to keep dogs, and wildlife, safe: • Sign up your dog for a rattlesnake aversion class; • Keep your dog on a leash; • If there’s a rattlesnake in your backyard, keep your pets inside and call Animal Control; • If you encounter a rattlesnake outside (on a trail, etc.), don’t make any sudden movement. Keep calm and slowly and quietly back away from the snake. • If your dog is bitten by a snake, take it to the vet immediately. Here are a handful of other tips when it comes to dogs and wildlife: • Keeping dogs on a leash not only protects your dog from harm, but also keeps wild animals safe. Offleash dogs are at increased risk of encountering threats like mountain lions or coyotes. In addition, SBWCN receives hundreds of animals each year (cormorants, baby bunnies, etc.) that are caught by dogs. • Avoid using rat poison. Not only can it poison other animals in the food chain by mistake (like owls and foxes), but it can also poison your own pets. • Be wary of wood piles and sheds in your backyard; they provide opportunistic shelter, shade, and nesting sites for wildlife (like rattlesnakes). •MJ 24 June – 1 July 2021