Dorothy’s Drop-In Center at risk of losing funding that helps the homeless get off the streets

Dorothy’s Place, located in the heart of the Salinas Chinatown, has just hit the 37-year mark. But it’s no time to celebrate an anniversary, as it’s at risk of losing valuable funding for homeless services.

“We actually started in a little place in East Salinas and around the early 1980’s we moved across the street to where the Old Republic Cafe used to be,” said Dorothy’s Place Executive Director, Jill Allen.

In 1995, Dorothy’s Place moved to their current location on Soledad Street. They’ve served millions of meals and have helped hundreds find permanent housing.

“We serve about 900 through this drop-in center every year,” said Allen.

Dorothy’s Drop-in Center is a place where the homeless go to not only get their basic needs, but the first stop when serious about getting off the streets and into housing. And all the new construction in the area is a motivator for many.

“People are more compelled to get into housing because they see that the real estate here in Chinatown is shrinking. They no longer can camp on it,” said Allen.

In 2015, there were more than 250 people living on the streets of Chinatown. Today, there are around 100.

“It’s because they’re seeing other people here be successful with their housing, and now they’re starting to believe that it can happen for them. We’ve got 134 on our waiting list right now to see a social worker. We have about 75 currently being managed by a social worker,” said Allen.

But those services are at risk of being cut.

“Monterey County is going through some severe budget challenges right now and because we are funded with the county’s discretionary funds, we are first on the chopping block to get defunded by the county,” said Allen.

That would force Dorothy’s Place to cut back and provide just basic needs for the homeless.

“Basic needs keep people alive. Basic needs are not going to solve the problem of getting people off the streets and into housing,” said Allen.

And while nothing is final yet, Allen is looking for other funding options.

“We’re practiced and we know how to do it. We can get people into housing. I want people from private philanthropy to know that,” said Allen.

If you are considering being a funding source for Dorothy’s Place Drop-In Center, you can call (831) 757-3838 or reach Executive Director Jill Allen here.