_{Thumbnail photo: The Del Norte Senior Center, Del Norte MIssion Possible and Open Door Clinic’s mobile medical bus offers a myriad of services including showers at the Del Norte Wellness Center on Tuesdays. | Photo by James Brooks}

A lack of communication that nearly led to the Del Norte Senior Center having to find another locale for its mobile showers program has been resolved, Executive Director Charlaine Mazzei said.

The senior center has offered showers, clothing and hygiene kits in the parking lot at the Del Norte Wellness Center on Tuesdays since July 2021. It currently partners with Del Norte Mission Possible, which provides access to case management, meals and other services, as well as Open Door Community Health Center’s mobile medical bus where clients can see a primary care physician.

But on Monday, Mazzei said she received a notice to vacate from the building’s owner, the Del Norte Healthcare District. By Thursday, Mazzei met with DNHCD Board Chair Tonya Pearcey and Director Dr. Kevin Caldwell and the special district withdrew its notice.

_{Thumbnail photo: Rx Safe Del Norte and the Department of Health and Human Services celebrate those recovering from addiction during an Addiction Recovery Awareness Walk in September. | Photo courtesy of Jermaine Brubaker}

Patient Navigator Melissa Nelson described a tree in the lobby of Aegis Treatment Center’s Eureka clinic to illustrate an important facet of the care it provides.

Every patient that celebrates a milestone on their journey to be free of opioid addiction adds a leaf. It’s a reminder that someone cares about them, is available and will show up, Nelson said. That can mean a lot to someone in the throes of addiction.

“When you’re in the lobby, if you’re just waiting, you can look over and see what different patients have to say in that process of being celebrated,” Nelson told Redwood Voice Community News. “Maybe we’ll have a whale or something in Crescent City.”