Nurse strives "to be the change" after observing Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Board of Directors of Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless wishes to thank our staff for their extraordinary work during the evacuation. This was a difficult, emotional time for all of us, but most of us were able to focus on our families, our homes, our lives. The Coalition's
dedicated staff instead spent those days and weeks focused on protecting, sheltering and helping some of the most vulnerable people in Tahoe, our neighbors experiencing homelessness. We can't adequately capture the difficulty of this work or the grace with which our staff performed so I ask you all to read this letter from Carol On, a California based Registered Nurse who worked with our team in the shelter in Reno.

To whom it may concern,

Hello, My name is Carol On. I am a Registered Nurse with the state of California and work per-diem on the California Medical Assistance Team (Cal-Mat) under the Emergency Medical Services Authority office.

I was recently sent to the Reno evacuation center to assist with medical care for evacuees temporarily housed in the center. At that center, myself and my team had the honor to work with multiple organizations. American Red Cross, Catholic Charities and Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless to name a
few.

Of the organizations present, I was deeply impressed and moved by the workers from the Tahoe Coalition. The degree of human compassion and empathy displayed was moving. I could see the work they were doing, and it was selfless, tireless, altruistic, empathetic, loving, kind, compassionate and
patient. To say I was in “awe” would be an under-statement.

I have been in healthcare for over 20 years. The longer one stays around, the more they see and unfortunately for many, the thicker their skin grows. They stop listening to patients or clients. They become exhausted over the littlest things and cries for help become an annoying whine. Compile this attitude with caring for a person(s) suffering from addiction, displacement, mental health issues and being homeless; well this population becomes invisible.

I have seen the above pattern in healthcare workers time and time again. Not excusable, yet for understandable reasons. My biggest fear as a health care worker is that I will become like this. I call it being numb. Having the Tahoe Coalition team onsite encouraging, influencing, and guiding me in
working with a very specific population sparked a fire in me that I so desperately needed. The week I spent with those most vulnerable in the shelter revitalized my passion to care for those in need. It reminded me why I went into this industry in the first place. For the first time in a very, very long time I felt like I was practicing the art of nursing.

The Tahoe coalition was not only a cheerleader for this old nurse, but they were absolutely instrumental to getting people to where they needed to be (outside the shelter). They worked with each person on a 1-1 basis, advocated for them and gave them autonomy in their decision-making process. They always provided clear and consistent instructions. There were no “favorites”, everyone was treated equal. They used the resources they had at their discretion wisely and included not only the client but the health
care team (such as myself) in bed-side conferences to ensure the best possible outcome for their current situation.

One final note I’d like to share. As I mentioned earlier, the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless sparked something in me. I saw my strengths and my weaknesses and areas that I could improve. Should I ever be called on again, I want to be better with a wider knowledge base. I have decided to do my next group of CEU’s on better understanding mental health, addiction & socio-economic needs of those poverty stricken. I have also decided to push myself towards “street medicine” and a wound care nurse certification. I choose to be the change I want to see in the world, and I thank and owe that push to the clients and the wonderful human beings from Tahoe Coalition (Cheyenne, Carrie and Ryan). Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, all for allowing me to work alongside your wonderful organization.

-Carol On
LVN RN CCM

The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless is a California nonprofit formed by local residents working together to end homelessness on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. They continue to do their best to provide support to the South Lake Tahoe community. Please review the TCH website https://tahoehomeless.org/ to find out how you can help.

- Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless Board of Directors