Is Now Under The Control of YoloCares
All six houses of the Joshua’s House project are on the property and being placed on foundations – a major milestone in this seven-year journey! The houses will soon be ready for furnishing and will be complemented by beautiful landscaping, paved sidewalks and parking areas, and wrought iron and wood fencing.
Joshua’s House is expected to officially open June 1, 2025.
We encourage you to help us cross the finish line by making a donation today!
Robyn DeLong, an author, teacher, speaker, and life coach, is also a former student and long-time friend of Joshua’s House Hospice Founder/CEO, Marlene Fitzwater.
She knows from her own experience that it’s possible to use the rich,sacred soil of sorrow to grow, expand, and deepen our connection to life and to love.
Robyn lost her youngest son, Michael, at the age of 36 from anautomobile accident. She has since created a gentle, self-pacedhealing program for bereaved parents who want to find peace of mind and reconnect with their joy and happiness. She writes a weekly Morning Cuppa Joy, which reminds herself and her readers to focus on the beauty and love that surrounds us and to pay attention to the joy that bubbles up in the midst of chaos. In her words, “It’s areminder to be grateful for each precious moment and for the loved ones we get to share those moments with.”
True to her giving and caring spirit, Robyn has stepped up to make her stuffed puppies and kittens as gifts to residents of Joshua’s House Hospice. Many of our terminally ill, homeless neighbors have to leave their pets behind when they become residents of Joshua’s House.Robyn’s delightful “pets” provide comfort as they navigate the transition.
“Marlene was a favorite professor of mine when I was a student at CSUS and she chaired my master’s thesis committee,” says Robyn. “I’ve followed her over the many years since I graduated and was thrilled when she joined my Rotary Club. I wanted to find a way to contribute to Joshua’s House, both because I believe strongly in its mission, but also because I love Marlene and her passion for making a difference. I’ve been making cloth dolls and stuffed animals for a few years now and have given away more than 150 to at-risk children. Whenever I sell a doll or stuffie, the funds go right back into purchasing supplies to make more. I hope the puppies and kittens I’m creating for Joshua’s House bring joy and comfort to its residents.”
(To purchase a cloth doll or stuffed animal, or to make a donation to Robyn’s project, please email her at robyn@delongteam.com)
Robyn is a certified life coach, published author and poet, a former college professor, and recently retired from a career as a full-time realtor in Sacramento, California. She is available to speak on topics such as:
Robyn has appeared on local TV and has been personally coached by great transformational leaders including Jack Canfield, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Wayne Dyer, Mary Morrissey, Maria Nemeth, and Bob Proctor.
Her books are available on Amazon:
Marlene was recently featured on Robyn’s Newsletter, “Morning Cuppa Joy.” You can read the newsletter here.
In 2016, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors created the Office of Homeless Initiatives (OHI) to coordinate the response of various County departments when providing services to those experiencing homelessness. In addition to mitigating the impacts of homelessness on the community, OHI staff work on long-term programs and solutions to homelessness, provide regular reports to the Board of Supervisors, and engage with a variety of community stakeholders.
Joshua’s House Hospice supports OHI’s mission to make homelessness rare, and brief if and when it does occur. By bringing together a collaborative team of county departments, social advocates, those with lived experience, businesses, and community-based organizations, OHI is committed to offering unique solutions that improve housing outcomes, meet behavioral and physical health needs, and ensure those experiencing homelessness are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
The latest Point in Time Count from 2022 estimates there are more than 9,000 people living unhoused in Sacramento County on any given night. Of those, 72% are living unsheltered, which means they are living in a tent, a vehicle, or without any shelter. While there are approximately 2,600 emergency shelter beds – 1,300 of which are funded by Sacramento County – we are in dire need of more.
Fortunately, due to financial support from the County, there are 180 new beds set to welcome guests within the next six months, and when Joshua’s House Hospice is fully operational, we, too, will help address our community’s crisis of unsheltered residents.
We’re incredibly grateful to OHI and generous donors like you who are helping Joshua’s House finish construction and open by June 1, 2025. For the first time on the West Coast, hospice care and comfort care will be provided to our terminally ill, homeless neighbors in a comfortable, home-like environment.
After years of planning and perseverance, Joshua’s House Hospice is finally taking shape thanks to the incredible work of Jackson Construction. We’re honored they’ve joined the team to help bring this visionary project to life.
Jackson Construction, a staple in the Sacramento region for more than 50 years, was introduced to Marlene Fitzwater and the Joshua’s House team at a pivotal moment. After learning about the deeply personal mission behind the hospice and its importance to the community, Jackson Construction was selected to complete the project following the initial site work phase.
While the path to building Joshua’s House has not been without its challenges, Jackson Construction is committed to delivering on time and within budget to ensure we can soon fulfill our mission of compassionate care. As can be seen in the photos below, the Jackson team is currently installing underground utilities and laying foundations to prepare for the placement of the six modular structures this February. Once the buildings are in place, paving, landscaping, fencing, and final commissioning will follow. Jackson’s onsite superintendent is dedicated to maintaining daily progress and ensuring the project runs smoothly to ensure Joshua’s House is on track to open and begin serving the community by Spring.
“It’s rare to work on a project with such deep meaning,” said John Grey, Senior Vice President, Director of Construction for Jackson Construction. “We’re proud to help build a place where lives will end with dignity and care.”
Joshua’s House is far more than a construction project – it represents the power of compassion, resilience, and collaboration. For the community of Sacramento, it will stand as a beacon of hope and humanity for those most in need.
By Marlene M. Fitzwater
We are deeply grateful to Maurine King of Hawaii for her generosity and talent. Maurine created a stunning quilt wall hanging for Joshua’s House (see photo above).
She also regularly sends boxes of blankets to a friend in Arizona who then delivers them to Nogales, a city on the Arizona-Mexico border, for children and families in need.
We’re immensely grateful for Maurine and many others who have generously donated artwork to help us provide a warm, welcoming, and comforting environment for the terminally ill homeless residents who will call Joshua’s House home.
Creating a caring place for individuals without family or close friends, particularly as they approach the end of their lives, is a meaningful way our community can help address a real American tragedy.
Dear Joshua’s House Supporters,
As we look toward the opening of Joshua’s House in just a few months, I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and to express my gratitude for the unwavering support you’ve given us over the years. Your commitment to our mission has been instrumental in turning what once seemed like an impossible dream into a soon-to-be reality.
This year, we’ve achieved two significant milestones that are helping us move forward with confidence. Anthem Blue Cross’ generous $400,000 grant is enabling us to complete essential preparations, from furnishing rooms to landscaping the grounds, ensuring that Joshua’s House will be a warm, welcoming space for the terminally ill homeless in our community. Additionally, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors’ approval of more than $1 million to help complete construction has brought us closer than ever to opening our doors.
These partnerships, alongside the dedication of supporters like you, mean that Joshua’s House will soon be a sanctuary of dignity, compassion, and care for our sickest and most vulnerable neighbors. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for sticking with us on this journey.
As we approach the finish line, your continued encouragement inspires us to press forward with renewed energy. I look forward to celebrating our opening with you next spring. Together, we are making a profound difference in the lives of those who need it most.
With gratitude,
Marlene M. Fitzwater
Founder, Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice
By Marlene M. Fitzwater
We are excited to announce a significant milestone in our journey to open the West Coast’s first hospice program for terminally ill homeless individuals. With a generous $400,000 grant, Anthem Blue Cross is helping make Joshua’s House a reality.
Anthem’s contribution arrives at a pivotal moment as we prepare to open our doors in Spring 2025. With these additional funds, we are now moving forward with our partners to complete final preparations, ensuring Joshua’s House is a peaceful environment for those in need.From furnishing the rooms to landscaping the grounds, we’re creating a safe, welcoming, and compassionate space where every resident will experience the comfort, dignity, and care that they deserve.
We’re deeply grateful to Anthem Blue Cross and to all of our supporters for helping us turn hope into tangible, meaningful change.Your continued commitment is making a profound difference in our community, and we look forward to opening our doors next spring.
By Marlene M. Fitzwater
Recent decisions by the Supreme Court have brought national attention to the question of how cities and states address homelessness, particularly around policies that remove individuals from public spaces. These rulings challenge how we balance public health, safety, and the rights of individuals experiencing homelessness. Yet, in the midst of legal debates, a deeper crisis is often overlooked: What happens to those who are the sickest of the sick and the poorest of the poor?
At Joshua’s House, we understand the reality behind the headlines, which is why we are solely dedicated to serving homeless individuals with terminal illnesses. These are people who have not only been pushed to the margins by poverty and circumstance but are also battling severe health conditions with little to no access to care. That’s where we step in.
We established Joshua’s House to offer something essential to a vulnerable population – compassionate care and a dignified space to spend their final days. We provide more than shelter; we provide peace, love, and medical support at a time when it’s needed most.
Our work is rooted in the belief that every person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves dignity, comfort, and care. As the debate over homelessness continues, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide a safe place for those who have nowhere else to turn.
Thank you for believing in Joshua’s House and helping us provide this crucial service to our community.
Together, we are part of a solution that not only addresses the symptoms of homelessness but also cares for those most in need.
by Celia Coughlin-Surridge
In 2019, I approached Marlene, the founder of Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice, asking if the organization needed marketing support. In her warm and welcoming way, Marlene accepted and immediately put me and my partner to work. First, we tackled the Sip, Savor, and Sway Gala. Then, we had to find ways to traverse Covid-19 quarantine regulations Big Day of Giving in 2020, and develop strategy for a virtual 5k later that year. That was just the marketing side of things!
During my time working with Joshua’s House, I saw firsthand the struggles that Marlene and her team were facing. From community concerns, to permits, unexpected costs, and so on. As I helped Joshua’s House continue to spread word of the important need for a hospice to serve Sacramento’s homeless within our region, I saw the organization push through despite the difficult objections and obstacles they faced.
Little did I know at the time just how pivotal my work with Joshua’s House would become, not only for the organization but for my own personal and professional growth as well. Marlene and the Joshua’s House team welcomed me with open arms, entrusting me with key responsibilities and giving me the chance to leverage my skills and connections to drive the project forward. Then, when I made the decision to take an opportunity at the Better Business Bureau, they supported me in that transition.
Now, as Joshua’s House prepares to open its doors, I find myself in a unique position to pay it forward. I am running for Honorary Mayor of Carmichael and have selected Joshua’s House as my charity!
If you are not familiar with what an Honorary Mayor is, the role is a non-political volunteer role that participates in ribbon cuttings and networking events. The Carmichael Chamber of Commerce has been hosting this program for two decades and has helped raise thousands of dollars for area charities through this fun initiative. This year there are five candidates and the candidate who raises the most money on behalf of their charity wins the “election.”
Recently stepping back into my business, I knew that the Honorary Mayor race would be a fantastic way for me to not only network but give back to Joshua’s House in a unique way. Over the next few months, I will be hosting and participating in a variety of fundraising events, including:
My goal is to raise more than $30,000 to help Joshua’s House open its doors and provide this vital service to the Sacramento community. As you probably know, the need is dire. Between 20-25% of homeless individuals die from terminal illnesses like COPD, cancer, and heart disease, often living for just a few months after diagnosis. In 2021 alone, more than 190 homeless people passed away on the streets and along the rivers of our city. We aim to change that by creating a peaceful and compassionate place for these individuals to spend their final days.
To help give back to the amazing Joshua’s House team, “Vote” for me by donating directly via PayPal or join me for one of my upcoming events. I will be releasing my full schedule shortly, so be sure to sign up for my newsletter on my website or reach out to me via email. I would be honored to make your acquaintance and gain your support!
No one should have to face the end of their life alone and on the streets. With your support, we can ensure that the terminally ill homeless are treated with the dignity, comfort, and care they deserve!
by Marlene M. Fitzwater
Seven years ago, the commitment to create Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice grew stronger as I interviewed 159 homeless men and women, ranging in age from 19-69, at Loaves & Fishes and on the street. I asked about their health issues, severity of their illnesses, health care, length of time being unhoused and their greatest fear. Regardless of age, each of them said their greatest fear was “dying alone on the street, like I had never lived.”
They had no hope for hospice care because in order to receive hospice care, you needed a place of residence, a place where you lived and where you could die with some degree of comfort.
I realized how important it was to provide a safe, comfortable place for homeless individuals who were terminally ill to have shelter, clothing, meals and, importantly, hospice care in their final days. But, perhaps, the most important benefit we will offer to residents at Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice is dignity and love.
We are so close to opening this Fall but we need $300,000 in order to finish the work on the property, furnish the houses and make sure we have the bedding, clothing and personal items that will be needed. So, we are asking for your help – from the bottom of my heart! Your donation of any amount will make the difference!