Celebrating Hope at The Grand Opening of The Neighborhood Village

Celebrating Hope at The Grand Opening of The Neighborhood Village

Posted on September 30, 2024

On September 26, 2024, Salt + Light and Self-Help Enterprises proudly celebrated the grand opening of The Neighborhood Village, Visalia’s newest permanent supportive housing community. This landmark event marks a significant step forward in addressing homelessness in our community. 

The festivities kicked off with a formal program at 4:00 PM, featuring inspiring remarks from Salt + Light’s CEO and Founder, Adrianne Hillman, and Tom Collishaw, President and CEO of Self-Help Enterprises. Attendees learned about the journey of bringing this 53-unit community to life and the transformative impact it aims to have on our neighbors experiencing chronic homelessness. 

A poignant moment came when Patrick Ralls, the very first resident to move in, shared his powerful journey. After struggling with homelessness and addiction for 30 years, he recalled a time when he felt utterly lost. “When my mom passed away, my world fell apart. I had no one to turn to and no support. I ended up living in the streets in my car.” His voice filled with emotion as he reflected on how his situation worsened when his car was stolen, leaving him with nothing and feeling hopeless.

“Thankfully, my uncle brought me back to Visalia and to Kaweah Delta Hospital,” Patrick said. “That was the beginning of my journey to rebuild my life.” On his 100th day of sobriety, he met Julie, Salt + Light’s Care Support Manager, whose support became a lifeline. “She helped me with paperwork and finding resources. Her encouragement kept me going when things felt impossible.”

The highlight of his journey came when he learned he would have his own place at The Neighborhood Village. “I remember the day Julie told me I was approved. I felt like I was dreaming. For the first time in my life, I have a safe and secure place to call home. Everything is so positive here, and I finally feel like I belong.” 

Now, as he approaches his eleventh month of sobriety, Patrick expressed deep gratitude for this opportunity. “This place has given me stability, a sense of belonging, and hope for the future. I am very thankful for all your support.” 

Following the program, the community was invited to an open house, providing a firsthand look at this innovative living space. Guests toured the facilities and connected with the dedicated teams behind this initiative. 

“This grand opening marks a major milestone for both our organization and the community,” said Hillman. “The Neighborhood Village is more than a housing project—it’s a place of hope, dignity, and transformation for those who need it most.” 

Collishaw echoed this sentiment, stating, “This project is innovative in design and financing, and embodies our commitment to creating sustainable and supportive housing solutions.” 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the community members and partners who joined us in celebrating this pivotal moment for Visalia. The Neighborhood Village embodies a brighter, more compassionate future for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

For questions on the project, please reach out to Salt + Light at (559) 731-3034. KTHA is handling the selection of residents; please contact them if you are experiencing homelessness and in need of services at (559) 789-6659.