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7.1.B. - Page 8 <br /> going to school, looking for affordable housing, job training, and becoming self <br /> sufficient. Mayor Gee offered them his congratulations. <br /> Craig Billman, Program Director of the Maple Street Shelter, thanked Council for its <br /> support. He provided Council a brochure of his organization which he pointed out how <br /> Congresswoman Jackie Speier's had stayed the night at their facility with no fanfare to <br /> get the real experience of living at a Shelter. Mr. Billman spoke about a client and the <br /> increase of senior citizens losing their homes and becoming homeless. <br /> Helen Lee, Portfolio Manager at MidPeninsula Housing, said she took down one of the <br /> Council Member's comments and will get back to her and Rhonda Coffman. Ms. Lee <br /> said Redwood City is one of their best partners and values their input. She provided a <br /> brief history of MidPeninsula and the programs they provide. She thanked the City <br /> Council, Ms. Coffman, and the Housing and Human Concerns Committee. <br /> Ortensia Lopez, Executive Director of El Concielo of San Mateo County, spoke about <br /> her organization providing life services (health), education, job placement for youth, and <br /> providing service to East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Ms. Lopez brought special <br /> attention to the environmental programs, specifically energy and water conservation, <br /> that they offer. She said there is a need for electrical work to insulate the home, but <br /> customers don't have the resources to do the electrical work. Therefore, she is asking <br /> for Council consideration of this program. <br /> Laura Bent, Director of Programs for Samaritan House, thanked Council and HHCC for <br /> support of their Safe Harbor Program. She is urging for the approval of funding for their <br /> resident housing of the homeless, and spoke about a client who was once homeless <br /> and now able to go back to Redwood City. <br /> Lynn Engel, interim Director of Development and Communication at CORA, thanked the <br /> City Council for supporting their emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence <br /> through the CDBG program. She acknowledged the other organizations' services at the <br /> meeting and asked Council to take their requests into consideration so that the <br /> organizations can continue to make differences in people's lives. She spoke about her <br /> clients, their homes, and their needs. Ms. Engle pointed out that there is a need for <br /> shelter like CORA, because they are the agency in San Mateo County offering safe and <br /> confidential shelter. She thanked Council for supporting their emergency shelter and is <br /> look forward to the continued relationship. <br /> Cherlene Wright, spoke not as a member or as Chair of the HHCC, but as a resident of <br /> Redwood City. She said that she thought about the many people who were helped with <br /> a small amount of money from the federal government and how they have the honor of <br /> hearing these stories on a regular basis. But, Ms. Wright pointed out that for every story <br /> heard, there is also a story not heard because they didn't have the money to fund all the <br /> agencies. Ms. Wright mentioned the importance of volunteerism, and thanked the City <br /> Council for letting her be a part of the HHCC to help people. <br /> David DeNola, Executive Director of the Center of Independence, expressed <br /> appreciation for the City's support of the accessibility for people with disabilities for <br /> independent living. He also spoke briefly about his organization, the success story of <br /> JOINT CITY COUNCIUSUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD April 28, 2014 <br /> MEETING MINUTES PAGE 8 <br />