CAPSLO: We stand behind SLO County grand jury report on homelessness | Opinion
CAPSLO responds to grand jury
“NIMBYism, funding gaps stop SLO County from meeting homelessness goals” (sanluisobispo.com, June 21)
As we navigate the complex issue of homelessness in our community, we extend our gratitude to the San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury for their diligent work on the report that was released last week. We understand the challenges this issue poses and acknowledge the valid concerns of our residents.
CAPSLO, a private nonprofit serving the county for 59 years and the county’s largest provider of homeless services, strives to serve all unhoused individuals while respecting the community’s needs. In addition to shelter and emergency programs, our outreach efforts have successfully assisted many unhoused individuals in finding housing, with data supporting our impact. Our Outreach Team engages with 423 individuals annually, providing nearly 5,000 unique services.
The team focuses on meeting unhoused individuals where they are, connecting them to vital resources at the 40 Prado Homeless Services Center, and guiding them on the path from street to home. The outreach efforts target the city of San Luis Obispo and coastal regions, ensuring immediate needs are identified and addressed effectively.
Furthermore, we are expanding our services by adding a number of units at our adjacent 46 property to accommodate families in need.
In addition, we want to assure the public that CAPSLO is held accountable by our federal, state, local and private grant funders through a records monitoring (inspection) process. While we do not open our records publicly to protect our client privacy, we do provide that information to our funders through a records verification process.
We are immensely thankful for the volunteers and donors who support our mission and commend our dedicated homeless services workers. We stand behind the grand jury’s recommendations to stabilize staff, enhance data collection and secure stable county funding to further our efforts in combating homelessness.
Dee Lacey, President
CAPSLO Board of Directors
Opinion
Morro Bay museum in disarray
I was disturbed and saddened to visit the Morro Bay Natural History Museum today (June 21) with my grandsons.
I had not been inside since the covid pandemic, when California State Parks dismissed over 200 local volunteers. I served as a volunteer docent working with school groups and on the front desk for over 10 years. with more than 1,000 hours logged.
Today, I noticed a distinct lack of care in the facility, displays and the original, carefully prepared skeletons and bones. The outside sperm whale jaw was weathered and missing teeth. The outside balcony was closed and dirty; the minke whale had lichen growing on it.
Where there once was a back desk docent chatting with visitors, there were tables with crayons and standard coloring sheets. There were no roaming docents explaining displays and engaging with children. The lack of light in the museum made it difficult to view the display of crabs and other under-sand creatures. Other displays were absent, with blank walls asking for comments.
The midden on the way up to White’s Point was in disarray, with no signage. What a terrific loss for the Central Coast and out-of-town visitors!
Janene Cooper
Cayucos
More truth about Measure A-24
“The truth about Measure A-24” (sanluisobispo.com, June 23)
Jim Gross in his letter is exactly right regarding Morro Bay’s Measure A-24: It’s not true that “it will prevent the plant from moving forward.”
What It does do is allow Vistra to ask the voters if they will support building a Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Measure A-24 makes the city’s voters the last local word, not the five-member City Council.
Again, Mr. Gross is correct when he says the California Energy Commission has the authority over energy projects. Where he gets it wrong is when he omits that the California Coastal Commission has authority in the coastal zone.
His other error is stating “that this is precisely the type of project California wants.” It may be the type of project that the governor, Legislature, and he want. However, he is not speaking for me. I don’t want it, residents of San Diego’s Otay Mesa don’t want it and other communities across California don’t want it.
Betty Winholtz
Morro Bay
Trump and tariffs
There is one word that would sink Trump. That word is “tariff.” He has no idea who pays the tariff. He says that China would pay, and doesn’t know that consumers pay.
Robert Harway
San Luis Obispo
