Northbay Uprising - Information for the liberated zones of the San Pablo Bay

2012-01-25 "Vallejoan seeks donations for men's transitional home" by Irma Widjojo from "Vallejo Times Herald"
[http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_19816416]
A Vallejo woman is seeking donations to open a new men's transitional home in town.
Shrenda Rodgers' transitional home, A Place To Call Home, or PATCH, is in the Westwood area. Once open, it will house 12 men who are parolees or veterans.
"It's hard for them to go back to society," she said. "This can be like their stepping stone."
Rodgers, 32, knows about the hardship of being homeless; she lived it for four years
"I've been kicked out at 3 a.m. by drug addicts, I've slept in rat-infested rooms, I've lived in my car," she said.
She escaped homelessness at 21 with two young children, and moved to a Fairfield transitional home through public welfare referrals, and then worked her way to independence.
Before any men are accepted to the home, they will be interviewed first, Rodgers said. They cannot be registered pedophiles or arsonists, she added. They also must be working or receiving Social Security disability checks. The rent amount will be based on those factors on a sliding scale, Rodgers said.
"All we ask for them is to be clean and sober, and be respectful of each other," Rodgers said.
PATCH is not her first attempt to help those in need. In 2008, Rodgers opened one for women, People of Prayer Transitional Home, in north Vallejo. However, a year later she was forced to close its doors.
"The house went through foreclosure and we couldn't find another place," she said. "I lost trust."
It took Rodgers about two years to find the right place and enough trust to open PATCH. She said she chose to open a men's home this time because of the lack of one in Vallejo. The home also will work with other local organizations and churches to provide residents with necessary resources, like classes or other social programs.
PATCH consists of three two-bedroom units, and Rodgers said she still needs furniture, including twin beds, couches, dressers; linens and dishes to outfit all the units.
She said she hopes to open PATCH's doors by the end of this week.
"We're ready to go," Rodgers said. "We are here to help those who want it."
Those interested in donating to PATCH should contact Rodgers at (707) 704-6797. A Wells Fargo Bank account under PATCH A Place To Call Home has also been set up for monetary donations. Its number is 7760482138.