Carson City homeless advocate to speak at Monday's Democratic luncheon

Dee Dee Foremaster, Executive Director of the Rural Center for Independent Living (RCIL) and Do Drop In day refuge for the homeless and mentally ill will be the featured speaker at Monday's Democratic luncheon. Her presentation will be an update on the status of her efforts to obtain stable sources of grant funding for the organization's ongoing activities, and ways that members of the public might be able to help with those efforts.

Here is how the RCIL & Do Drop In are described on their Facebook page:

A nonprofit organization that helps with services to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and our Veterans.

Our services include

1. Assistance with filling out paper work to apply for services.

2. Assistance with finding stable housing

3. Assistance with Social Security Problems

4. Assistance with ID and Birth Certificates

5. Assistance with Advocacy

6. Day shelter for the disabled and Veterans who are homeless which includes Hospitality Center with microwave, coffee, and lounge.

7. Rep Payee Services

The RCIL is now located at 3579 Highway 50 East, Door #C, Carson City, NV 89701. Their mailing address is PO Box 3177, Carson City NV 89702. If you're in a position to help in any way, you can contact Dee Dee directly by calling her cell phone at (775) 450-3729.

In January, right after Dee Dee's last luncheon appearance, KOLO-TV's Mary Jane Belleza produced a report on the RCIL's important work. It was shown on Channel 8 and posted to the station's website.

https://www.kolotv.com/2021/01/06/local-woman-aims-to-end-homelessness/

Local woman aims to end homelessness

By Mary Jane Belleza

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) -One local woman is hoping to combat homelessness with a local solution.

Dee Dee Foremaster, the executive director of the Rural Center for Independent Living knows the struggle all too well.

The organization had to close its doors and services in the meantime while finding a new building, leaving many of their clients with nowhere to go.

“They are out on the streets, some of them go to the night shelters which is provided by Carson city,” said Foremaster.

The pandemic has not made it easy for the staff and volunteers who all have underlying conditions, but Foremaster is hopeful she can reduce the amount of people on the streets.

“The folks on the streets are not transients,” said Foremaster. “Over 70% people on the streets are Nevada residents that have been living here for years.”

Foremaster’s efforts started back in August when the Statewide Independent Living Council awarded the organization a grant to move people into low income housing, but she says the problem is there isn’t enough housing.

“We’re short 80,000 units right now in the state of Nevada as far as housing goes,” added Foremaster.

She’s working to launch a pilot program to add “granny quarters” in the community or ADU’s, an accessory dwelling unit which shares the same existing lot of a larger home. Before this can happen Foremaster said there are certain changes needed to be made.

“We need to relax some of the restrictions,” explained Foremaster. “We should allow what’s called ‘daisy chaining’ which means you are allowed to utilize the existing utilities, water and sewer hookups that are already on the property.”

Foremaster plans to present her initiative to the Carson City board of supervisors. She said while there is a long road ahead, getting the word out is just the first step.

“I really feel strongly that Carson city has the ability to make the possible changes that need to happen,” added Foremaster. “So that people with disabilities, our elderly people and our veterans can get assistance and live a good life off the streets.”

Sponsored by the Democratic Men's Committee, this event is scheduled for noon on Monday, October 11th. Dee Dee will be presenting via Zoom. Participants are invited to join the conversation through Zoom or in person at Democratic HQ. Those wishing to be on distribution for the luncheon Zoom links should email Rich Dunn, Men's Committee Events Coordinator, at richdunn@aol.com.