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Four Minivans Awarded!

Due to precautions because of the coronavirus pandemic, the fall minivan build was scaled down to an un-build with a small crew of HOWA staff members and volunteers. Over a two-week period, four recipients of minivans participated in a mentoring program and also spent time arranging  donated Amazon wishlist items into their new homes. Even though minivans are small each becomes a personalized space designed around different needs and decorating styles. Tents from HOWA’s Loaner Tent program served as temporary homes for the recipients until their minivans were ready.

The recipients of the minivans were:

Barbara

Barbara had boondocked for several years in her van but was living in a tent when she applied for a minivan. She received a Honda Odyssey donated by Robin and built out by David and several friends. This minivan was purchased and finished in the eastern US and delivered to the build location by the donors. Besides being thrilled with her new home Barbara is excited about the welcoming community that she’s found with her fellow nomads.

April

April moved into her SUV in June 2020 when rental payments left her with little money for other expenses. During the hot summer days in Missouri, she visited a women’s shelter to take showers and enjoy the air conditioning, but she still preferred the privacy of her own space in the SUV at night. When April was approved for a minivan, she headed to Pahrump, Nevada with barely enough money for gas and some apprehension that the transmission in her SUV could survive the trip. She arrived safely and donated her SUV to HOWA through the CARS program which sells vehicles for charities and returns 70% of the selling price to the donor’s chosen charity. Thank you, April, for the first CARS donation for HOWA!

Cindy

Cindy and her two cats, Bella and Kenze made a home in her Saturn after her roommate died following a long illness.  The car was clearly too small for all three of them and the extra supplies needed for the cats so getting accepted to be a minivan recipient was a godsend. The extra room has allowed Cindy to organize her new home so that everything has a place and is easy to find.

Christy

Christy has been a nomad for two years and lived in her car in Utah for about a year previous to that. She volunteered with HOWA as a caravan host and organizer for the RTR and WRTR. When her 2007 Toyota Sienna needed expensive repairs she was encouraged to apply for a minivan. Since Christy is an experienced nomad many of the components in her Sienna such as the solar system could be transferred to her new minivan home which is also a Sienna.

Thank you all who donated to the minivan fund and the Amazon Wishlist plus a special thank you to the donors of Barbara’s minivan.   Thanks to all the volunteers who helped at the un-build especially the mentors, Ditzy and Lesa, and the construction workers, Duane and Bob.

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Lives Improved with Solar Donations

HOWA receives many offers from people who wish to donate lightly used equipment. All offers are appreciated but because HOWA staff members are nomads with little room for storage, most offers must be turned down. However, during the spring and fall build outs when a short term storage unit is rented HOWA gladly accepts donations. Such was the case in May 2020 when donors supplied the materials for three complete solar systems.

Vivian and Diane who were in need of more power applied for the solar systems and were provided with 245 W panels from Santan Solar and  charge controllers and other components from  Renogy.  Four almost-new 6V batteries were supplied by an anonymous donor. Friends and family helped the women install the systems in their nomadic homes.

Another anonymous donor supplied a used Kodiak solar generator with a 100W panel which was given to Sara to provide power to her SUV and trailer.

Thank you to all who donated materials and time!  To donate click here.

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Fifty Nomads Helped

Since the creation of the Emergency Fund in August 2019, HOWA has distributed over $13,000 to more than 50 nomads. Emergency awards covered everything from money to buy a warm winter coat to funds for major mechanical repairs. Laurie expressed her appreciation in an email to the Emergency Fund staff.

 “Homes on Wheels Alliance helped me tremendously when I had an emergency 1000 miles away from my regular home on wheels region of the country. 
As a full time nomad, with post 911 medical lung complication, I had driven a thousand miles away quickly to flee the California wildfire smoke & fires in early fall 2020. 
This unexpected two thousand mile round trip fuel cost left me in a serious bind since I have a small fixed income that covers only basic necessities. The good news is that my asthma attacks stopped when I got away from the thick smoke though I tended up stuck in a place with none of my regular resources or familiarity because I ran out of fuel. 
In addition I needed to receive specialized medical help & continuity of care that included an asthmatic equipment pick up back at my regular mail center. 
The process for applying to the fund was streamlined, professional and kind. I was able to upload various verifications and await positive news that I had been awarded a small grant that because of online delivery method – I was able to access immediately.
Larger than life this support was to me because I was going be able to get out of the Western slope of the Rockies before the next round of cold and snow came for which me nor my van was prepared for.

I will never forget how this non profit organization came through for me in one of my biggest times of need – the CA wildfires. 
I will spread the word to people who need a wonderful place to donate in order to keep this emergency fun running. This is the real deal! 
Thank you HOWA💗”
Laurie P. 

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A Minivan Home For Esther

Growing up in Alaska and camping with her parents as a very young child prepared Esther for a life of adventure. She’s camped on Kodiak Island where huge brown bears fish for salmon, lived in remote villages without running water, and spent two winter months in her car as a trial run to see if she could do it. When Esther became sick in 2017, she couldn’t continue working at her job as a caregiver and instead started training to become a computer programmer, a job that she could do remotely while on the road. The award of the minivan means Esther can live the independent life she has been dreaming about for years.

To avoid spreading COVID-19, HOWA canceled the April 2020 Build Out, however, plans were made to continue with the Minivan Home on Wheels program on a simpler scale. Outfitting the vans with pre-made furnishings allowed the builds to be finished safely by a smaller number of people. In July a 2006 Honda Odyssey was bought, outfitted, and awarded to Esther who completed a two week mentoring program to prepare her for nomadic life. Transferring the title was a challenge due to DMV coronavirus restrictions but once that was done Esther was ready to move into her new home.

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Win a Nomad Trailer by WeeRoll!

November 12, 2020 is the last day to get your sweepstakes tckets! Don’t miss the deadline! The drawing for a winner will be on November 18, 2020.

Nomad Trailer by WeeRoll is 6 x 10 x 6′ and is move-in ready — Insulated, two windows, side door, back barn doors, 110v ready(see full description below).  Furnish this trailer and you’ll be ready for a life on the road!

Important: The winner must pick the trailer up in Georgia by November 30th. You do not need to be present to win. But, you must complete the required paperwork to assure your eligibility to win and pick up your prize by November 30, 2020 in Georgia. No purchase necessary to win.

Thank you WeeRoll for donating the trailer for this fundraising effort.  And thank you ticket purchasers for your support of HOWA.  By working together, we are changing lives, building community, and preventing homelessness one person at a time!

Click here for more information: https://howa.rallyup.com/weeroll

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Join a Virtual Caravan!

 

The first nomadic caravans were started in late 2018 by Bob Wells, the president of HOWA and founder of Cheap RV Living. Watch Bob’s Video HERE.

 “The time has finally come! I’ve laid out all the plans and have leaders in place: THE CARAVANS ARE HERE!!! Yes, starting on October 31 you can join a group of people and travel with them through the RTR! The rules are very simple; 1) We must move every 14 days. 2) We must leave each place cleaner than we found it. 3) We must treat each other with kindness, compassion and caring (treating others the way we want to be treated). 4) We must each come prepared to be fully self-sustaining and able to take care of ourselves.”

The Caravans proved to be very popular with as many as eight caravan gatherings taking place in different locations at the same time. Groups were kept small to avoid overcrowding the locations. For many new nomads, this was their first experience at boondocking on public land and the camaraderie of the group helped them to feel secure and to learn the basics of their new lifestyle.  Friendships were formed and as their confidence grew people began to form their own groups separate from the Caravans which freed spots for newer nomads.

  Early in 2019 HOWA became the sponsor of the Caravans and began utilizing  Meetup as an easy to use platform to organize the Caravans, to keep track of the number of participants, and to allow members to chat with each other.

  The outbreak of coronavirus in the US meant an end to in-person gatherings but not a complete end to gatherings. After a little brainstorming by the HOWA management team, the Virtual Caravans were born! By using Zoom, a video communications service, Virtual Caravan participants are able to interact on a more personal level than is possible through other types of social media. The first Virtual Caravan was held on March 30, 2020 and they will continue to be held until it is safe to gather together again. 

  Virtual Caravans are held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. A women’s only Virtual Caravan is held on Sunday morning and Virtual Caravan Classes are held on Saturday mornings. The Virtual Caravans use both Meetup and Zoom so participants must sign up for Zoom and Meetup.

 

 Attendance is limited to 100 people and participants must RSVP before the meetings begin. Everyone is welcome. Attendees include long time nomads, new nomads, part-time nomads, and future nomads. Although it’s not the same as attending an in-person Caravan, the Virtual Caravans have become a wonderful way for nomads to meet. Friendships are formed and plans are made to gather together in the future. We welcome you to join one of the next Virtual Caravans!  More information HERE.

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Together we are changing lives, preventing homelessness, and building community.

We believe that through an “alliance” consisting of financial and social resources we can assist those who wish to remain productive, contributing citizens while preserving their independence, self-sufficiency and dignity.

HOMES ON WHEELS ALLIANCE, INC. 1970 N. Leslie Street Box 297 Pahrump, NV 89060 USA

Tel: 775.764.8115,  www.homesonwheelsalliance.org, is a 501(c)3 charitable organization registered with the Nevada Secretary of State, pursuant to Title NRA 82A.200. Its purpose is to assist seniors and the working poor with securing unconventional housing as shelter. Contributions may be tax deductible pursuant to provisions of Sec. 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C.§170(c).

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