East Petaluma nonprofit center opens

Officials plan to use the space for a much needed east Petaluma nonprofit service center where those in need can come to get counseling, job training, even a hot meal and a shower.|

It has a fresh coat of paint, new windows and updated wiring. All that’s missing are the people, which could start showing up at the beginning of next month.

The leadership class of the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce spent the past six months revamping the McDowell Boulevard Salvation Army building, and officials plan to use the space for a much needed east Petaluma nonprofit service center where those in need can come to get counseling, job training, even a hot meal and a shower.

“The more people we can funnel to one location, we can make it a hub for people in need,” said David Adams, chairman of the Salvation Army board. “It was a huge group effort that happened very efficiently.”

The center for the Transitional Aged Youth Service Alliance will serve youth ages 16 to 24 with a host of services. Nonprofits Mentor Me and Petaluma People Services Center will have a presence as well as the Salvation Army and other nonprofits.

The chamber leadership class raised $15,000 to repair the aging building, getting it ready to serve clients this week. A ribbon cutting earlier this month marked the completion of the office portion, and the Petaluma Service Alliance will now start the second phase, a remodel of the kitchen and bathrooms, Adams said.

At the new location, Mentor Me will provide mentorship services a couple of times a week starting Nov. 1.

“We’re trying to bundle and coordinate services,” said Deborah Dalton, executive director of Mentor Me. “We can reach them with all aspects of getting back into school, getting some clean clothes, charging their phones, getting counseling, whatever they need we’re hoping to have sort of a warm offering no matter what reason they walk in the door.”

Petaluma People Services Center will have therapy programs and its Career Point employment workshops for at risk teens, according to Elece Hempel, PPSC executive director.

Hempel said it is important to have several nonprofit services together under one roof, so that referrals to other services can be facilitated in the same place. The new service center fills a void on the east side, she said, and helps people who cannot easily get across town to access nonprofits on the west side.

“It provides continuity of service,” she said. “Because of transportation issues, even getting across town becomes a barrier to many youth. We’re strategically located for a population that might be under-served.”

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