Time is running out for the city of Turlock and the We Care homeless shelter to negotiate a deal that would allow the non-profit to receive nearly $270,000 in grant money.
What seemed like a mere formality on March 25 — with staff recommending that the city contribute $1 and submit a letter of support to secure the funds — has turned into a showdown with the city wanting more assurances from We Care.
“We’re trying to reach an agreement with the city and we have until (Monday) to do so,” said Corey Mai, executive director of We Care. “(Supervisor) Vito Chiesa had been working as something of a go-between, because the county really doesn’t want us to have to give the money back.”
The $267,100 in state Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds, administered by the county, represents half of We Care’s annual operating budget.
“The majority of our budget goes to salary,” said Mai. “But we also have to pay for security, food, supplies, insurance, utilities — which is a huge expense — and rent on the shelter.”
We Care provides beds for as many as 49 men, seven nights a week. Guests must exit the shelter for 10 hours beginning at 8 a.m.
The city, sensitive to the concerns of downtown business owners who say that vagrancy puts an undue burden on their businesses, wants We Care to provide restroom services during the hours when its doors are closed.
“The homeless account for less than 5 percent of the crime in Turlock, according to numbers that Police Chief (Jason) Hedden shared with me,” said interim city manager Sue Borrego. “I know downtown businesses are challenged by this issue; it’s incredibly hard for them. But the conversations about the issue tend to get convoluted, and I think it’s become quite polarizing.”
Mai said the shelter has offered to create 24-hour restroom availability for six months by opening the restroom in its 1,600-square-foot kitchen/dining hall, and stationing one of its 14 staff members to monitor restroom usage.
According to Mai, that wasn’t good enough for the city.
“They wanted a year, so we increased the offer,” said Mai. “We haven’t heard back as of yet.”
If the two sides can’t hammer out a deal, then Turlock would forfeit the money back to the county, which likely would give the funds to another city in Stanislaus County, probably Modesto.
As it stands, according to Borrego, a special meeting has been scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m.
The council agreed back on March 25 to continue the matter on a future agenda — April 8 — when a representative from the county could be present to answer questions. Chiesa was present at the April 8 meeting, as were dozens of members of the community. Nearly 20 citizens spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, with the vast majority throwing their support behind We Care.
Nevertheless, Mayor Amy Bublak and councilmembers Rebecka Monez and Erika Phillips voted against the item, while Cassandra Abram and Kevin Bixel voted in favor.
In the meantime, Mai has started a GoFundMe page.
“We’re trying whatever we can,” said Mai, who said that without the grant, there’s no guarantee the shelter can remain open beyond 2026.
To donate, visit gofundme.com and search “Support Turlock’s We Care Program.”
