Feature- The Next Key Is The Next Step In Fighting Homelessness

Any one of us could be just one paycheck away from losing our home, one hardship away from losing everything, one step away from homelessness.

The folks at Homeward Bound, the largest provider of shelter for homeless men, women and children in Marin, probably know that better than anyone.  They've been at the forefront in the fight against homelessness, beginning with one small shelter in the 1970s and growing to a multi-facility operation with 400 beds and a myriad of support services and programs aimed at not only getting people off the streets, but keeping them off.

"This place started as a dream...and we wondered how we were going to do it, and in the words of our President-elect, we said, Yes we can!"

The speaker wearing bright red tennis shoes- one of several multi-denominational spiritual leaders gathered to pray- is recalling the long journey from dream to dedication of The Next Key Center, the newest facility to join the Homeward Bound family.  It's why so many of us are gathered here today at Hamilton in Novato; neighbors, friends, staff members, clients, builders, volunteers, donors, a Mayor and a Congresswoman.  Next Key, a transitional housing and job-training center, is the next step in fighting homelessness, one that aims to bridge the move from subsistence living to living with substance. 

"Lots of chocolates for me to eat, lots of coal making lots of heat, warm face, warm hands, warm feet, now wouldn't it be loverly"

Everyone crowds around to hear the Marin Girls Chorus sing the My Fair Lady perennial musical favorite, their voices ringing out images of a ragged Eliza Doolittle.  Then they follow it up with the magical, hopeful When You Wish Upon A Star-

"If your heart is in your dream, no request is too extreme, When you wish upon a star, as dreamers do."

The dream to build The Next Key Center was an eight-year project, as Mary Kay Sweeney, the Executive Director of Homeward Bound explains-

"This is a different program, a different shelter.  It's transitional housing for clients to benefit from job training and income enhancement," she says.  "They can stay here for up to two years."

Next Key provides low cost housing for previously homeless individuals who wish to move from a position of low or no job skills, to long-term stable employment.  They can rent the studio apartments for below market rates, while taking advantage of the job training programs (e.g. culinary training, landscape maintenance and janitorial maintenance) offered on-site at New Beginnings Center next door.  Or they can train or go to school somewhere else, like the College of Marin, in order to gain the skills to get a better paying job that would eventually enable them to get a place of their own.

Ding, ding...ding, ding...ding, ding.

Mary Kay is ringing small prayer bells as all of us walk in a slow procession around the new building center.  We have just heard the interfaith blessing- Buddhist, Jewish, Christian and Native-American- and now we're getting a closer look at the facility.

The $9.3 million dollar center is beautiful.  Mission inspired buildings are surrounded by native, drought resistant landscaping.  The building itself is green with solar paneling, low V.O.C. paint and recycled materials used from the original buildings that were demolished to build this one.  The studio units are spacious, with roomy bathrooms and fully equipped kitchens with hardwood cabinets. 

Here and there along the path, are large bronze key sculptures, part of a public art project at the center.  Artist Mildred Howard created the keys which range from bent nearly in half to straight.  They are meant to mirror the forward progression of formerly homeless clients.   

"...and they were under budget and on schedule!"

The crowd claps enthusiastically as the builder, Nordby Construction, is introduced.  Almost all of the money needed to build the center, except for about $750,000 has been raised.  Corporate and individual donors raised the rest of the cash, with the Marin Community Foundation at the top with a generous gift of $1.3 million dollars.  The center used a unique marketing campaign, an IPO or "Immediate Public Opportunity" as a way for people to buy "shares" in the Center.  Warren Buffet was the first to plunk down $32 for the very first share, and the resulting interest garnered $750,000 in IPO donations.

Fans of Warren Buffet could bid on a chef's hat and apron signed by Buffet and fellow financier, Bill Gates, in the Silent Auction room nearby.  If Bill and Warren weren't your thing, there were more traditional items including treat-stuffed gift baskets and gourmet cooking gadgets.

Getting people to donate is one thing; getting people to even consider a place like this in their neighborhood, is another.

"We were the only city in Marin...we worked with Homeward Bound to get the New Beginnings Center."  says Novato Mayor Pat Eklund. 

In fact, New Beginnings Center was the very first homeless shelter in the nation, built on a former military base. Before there was a center, the homeless were housed in a huge tent on the property.

"...and this is my home!"

That's Michael, one of Next Key's new residents, who's belting out an emotional a capella song about his joy at having found a place to live.  He's followed a few speakers later by Reuben, also a resident.  Reuben, dressed in business slacks, a long-sleeve button-down shirt and tie, looks anything but homeless.  He walks to the mic-

"Everything is just awesome.  It's a new life for me." 

He then takes advantage of the mic and the crowd to give a small plug for the auto repair shop he works for. Everyone laughs and claps.

"Things are better today because of projects like this."

Congresswoman Lynne Woolsey is speaking.  Homelessness is personal for her.  She is recounting a story about being a single mother in the 60s with small children to care for.  Through economic hardship, she found herself in exactly the same circumstances as the residents in the center.  It's a bit of a shock to hear this personal story of homelessness from our eight-term Congresswoman.

Woolsey goes on to say that when it came time for Hamilton AFB to be decommissioned and converted to public use in the early 1990s, she insisted that Homeward Bound be included permanently.

A large golden ribbon stretches around the entrance to the center.  A large bowl of scissors are ready and waiting.  But before that, Mary Kay Sweeney and her leadership team want to say thanks.  They proceed to read their thanks to the community, donors, builders and everyone else involved, in unison.

After that, the scissors are grabbed and the ribbon cut and everyone files into the Key Room, the spanking new banquet/conference/multipurpose room to wine and dine and celebrate.  Kitchen staff are scurrying around carrying trays of hors d'oeuvre loaded with beef filet, chicken curry, fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, stuffed mushrooms and shrimp.  A band is playing in the corner.  Everyone digs in.

Over in the kitchen, the head of the on-site Fresh Starts Culinary Academy- Carol Menard- is keeping a close eye on things.  She says they literally just opened the kitchen, so this is the debut.  And what a kitchen it is.

The gleaming stainless steel kitchen boasts state-of-the-art appliances and cookery.  The Culinary Academy had worked in much smaller digs before the new kitchen was built.  The culinary classes will be held here, and it will be used for the Fresh Starts catering business and for expansion of "Halo", their packaged food products line.

As we leave the facility, we notice an inscription in cement outside the entrance.  It reads-

"What was once closed now opens, blooms like a flower, whose bright sweetness knows its full essence at last, in time." -Mary Kay Sweeney.

The perfect sentiment for the blossoming of a dream.

Details-

Next Key Center is located at the New Beginnings Center complex at 1385 N. Hamilton Parkway, Novato 415 382-3363

Their next fundraiser is Dine Out To End Hunger on Thursday, November 20th.  Selected Marin restaurants will donate a portion of the check to Homeward Bound.

Comments

[Michael V. Benson]

Hi it's me Michael.that song I sang was from the Wiz a Broadway play .The move stared Diana Ross late seventy's how can I get a copy of that picture .LOVE IT!....check me out at www.myspace.com/eccentricitydance

[Reuben Sanchez]

Come by and see me at auto salutations 810 w Fransisco blvd.Love to see you .best mechanic technician.Certified A.S.E at your service!

[SANDRA MITCHELL]

TO PAUL FORDHAM (PROJECT MANAGER ) AND
EVERYBODY ELSE INVOLVED IN YOUR AMAZING PROJECT.
YOU SHOULD ALL BE VERY PROUD OF YOUR MAGNIFICENT EFFORTS BY MANAGING TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THE HOMELESS.
I WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS FOR ANY FUTURE PROJECTS AND AS PAUL FORDHAM'S MOTHER SUE,SENT ME ALL THE LITERATURE AND PHOTOGRAPHS REGARDING THIS PROJECT, IT MUST SHOW PAUL HOW VERY PROUD SHE IS OF HIM.
AS ONE OF PAUL'S MOTHER, SUE FORDHAM'S PATIENTS,IT SHOWS ME THAT YOU TAKE AFTER YOUR MOTHER WITH ALL YOUR COMPASSION AND DETERMINATION THAT IS NECESSARY TO FINISH AN ENORMOUS PROJECT OF THIS TYPE.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONGRATULATE YOU ALL ON YOUR PRESENT SUCCESS
AND TO WISH YOU ALL THE LUCK FOR ANY FUTURE HOMELESS PROJECTS,AS THERE ARE STILL SO MANY HOMELESS PEOPLE IN YOUR COUNTRY AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. THERE ARE SO FEW PEOPLE THAT CARE ABOUT THE HOMELESS NOW, LET ALONE HAVE THE MORAL FIBRE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR UNFORTUNATE SITUATION.
MY SON AND DAUGHTER IN LAW LIVE AND WORK IN PASADENA, CALIFORNIA AND I'LL FORWARD THIS LITERATURE ON TO THEM TO READ ABOUT IY ALL.
I HOPE THAT ONE DAY PAUL WILL BE VISITING HIS MOTHER SUE IN THE U.K., AT THE SAME TIME THAT MY SON KARL AND HIS WIFE LINDA ARE, SO THAT SUE AND I CAN ARRANGE FOR US ALL TO MEET UP AS IT SEEMS WE ALL HAVE A LOT IN COMMON.
ONCE AGAIN I WISH YOU ALL EVERY SUCCESS FOR ANY OF YOUR FUTURE HOMELESS HOUSING PROJECTS.

YOURS IN ADMIRATION,
SANDRA MITCHELL.