Bubbleween at Citrus Town Center

About the Work of Citrus Heights HART

Mission: Citrus Heights HART provides resources that enable at-risk people and individuals experiencing homelessness in Citrus Heights and adjacent areas to become independent, self-sustaining, and participating members of the community. The organization serves the homeless of Citrus Heights by helping locals develop stable living situations through connections to needed resources, such as a homeless navigator or winter shelter.

Vision: To end homelessness in local communities, including Citrus Heights, by maximizing citizens' bargaining power and flexibility through formalized yet open-ended groups that address the complex problem of homelessness.

History: Citrus Heights HART is one of three HART organizations in outlying areas of Sacramento County, alongside those in Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova. Each formed in response to the lack of decentralized access to homeless services. Many founding members began at soup kitchens or food banks. After learning from homeless individuals about service access difficulties, community members brainstormed solutions. The formalized yet open-ended group structure was chosen for its legitimacy and creativity in tackling homelessness.

Core Values:

• Volunteer Generosity: Reliance on volunteer generosity to donate time and resources towards ending homelessness.
• Community Partnerships: Partnership with local churches, government agencies, nonprofits, businesses, schools, faith communities, and city government to provide services and support for breaking the cycle of poverty.
• Resource Connection: Focus on connecting homeless individuals with available resources and shedding light on underlying factors affecting poverty.
• Education and Awareness: Emphasis on education through events about available services.

Leadership: Citrus Heights HART is led by a dedicated volunteer board including:

• Irene Hronicek: Board Chair, Winter Sanctuary & Rental Assistance Committee Chair (Holy Family Church)
• Kathilynn Carpenter: Treasurer, Spaghetti Fest & Rental Assistance Committee (Sunrise MarketPlace PBID)
• Margaret Cleek: Secretary (Citrus Heights Resident)
• Diane Ebbitt: Spaghetti Feed Committee (Citrus Heights Resident)
• Denise Hinkson: Winter Sanctuary Committee (Starbucks)
• Katherine McBride: Volunteer
• Marcy Phipps: Rental Assistance Committee (Dignity Health)
• Mike Nishimura: Rental Assistance Committee (Volunteer)
• Auriel Taurone: PRIDE Industries
• Wouter Boudrez: Laundry Love

Inclusivity: Citrus Heights HART serves people who may be sleeping on the streets, in cars, or couch surfing, regardless of how long they've been homeless—from a week to ten years. It focuses on locals in Citrus Heights and adjacent areas, partnering with diverse community members from business, schools, faith communities, and government to support those breaking the cycle of poverty.

Key Programs: Winter Sanctuary, Veteran's Standdown, Homeless Navigator (connecting individuals with resources), Housing Programs, Spaghetti Fest, Rental Assistance, and educational events to highlight poverty factors.

Citrus Heights HART is a volunteer-run organization united with sister groups in Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova under hartstogether.org.