A placard asking for help hangs on Donald James' cart as he speaks with people from Central Mississippi Continuum of Care staff during a Point-in-Time Count in Jackson, Miss., Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. PIT Count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in January.
Turlock, California – Tensions are mounting in Turlock as city officials and the leadership of local homeless shelter We Care clash over a decision that could jeopardize more than $260,000 in state funding — and potentially shut the shelter down.
Earlier this month, the Turlock City Council voted against issuing a simple letter of support and allocating a symbolic $1 required for We Care to qualify for a critical state grant. Without the city’s backing, the shelter cannot access the funds essential to continue operations.
“Not receiving this funding could shut down our shelter,” said Corey Mai, a We Care staff member. “Receiving this grant is contingent on us receiving a letter of support from the City of Turlock.”
The shelter currently houses 49 men and provides vital services including meals and laundry. The $260,000 grant bolsters the operations, but city officials, led by Mayor Amy Bublak, have pushed back, saying the responsibility lies with Stanislaus County.
“We know the county has money to help other areas, not put a gun to our head and say we have to support this,” Bublak said. “Well, no. You do it.”
The dispute appears to center around the mayor’s request for a 24-hour restroom at the shelter — a point of contention between the city, the county, and shelter leadership. Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa confirmed the county is considering funding the restroom and is open to discussions. “The county is always willing to sit and listen and see if we can find funding,” Chiesa said.
In response to the mayor’s request, Mai said We Care is willing to help by offering temporary access to a restroom — including her office bathroom — while proposing a six-month solution for limited restroom access during the shelter’s closed hours.
Still, without the city’s formal support, the state funding may be redirected. The application deadline is April 28, leaving the city just days to change course.
“If the city chooses not to have a special meeting and take it back up… then it would mean the award would go to the other three awardees,” Chiesa said.
With the clock ticking, We Care and community advocates remain hopeful the city will reconsider and allow the shelter to stay open for those who depend on it.
