After a challenging year marked by funding disputes and a temporary closure, the We Care shelter in Turlock has managed to remain open as the city’s only low-barrier men’s shelter. The facility, located at 221 S. Broadway near Turlock City Hall, faced significant obstacles when the City Council voted in April against providing a ceremonial $1 and a letter of support needed for a $267,100 state grant.
Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the council’s decision in a letter to the mayor: “Enough. Do your job,” Newsom wrote, expressing his disappointment. He later posted on social media: “Truly a ridiculous lack of local leadership — an absolute moral failure. California has invested billions to combat homelessness. In Turlock, their only shelter is at risk over a single dollar. The state has done its part. Local leaders need to step up.”
The city had requested that We Care either add services to clean up trash and feces around the facility or keep restrooms open 24/7 before offering support for the grant application. Executive Director Corey Mai explained that while she offered to open existing bathrooms, property restrictions prevented placing portable toilets on site.
Mayor Amy Bublak responded to Governor Newsom in a letter stating: “To be clear, the specific issue that prompted your letter was never about a dollar, 24-hour bathrooms, or asking We Care to clean up downtown Turlock. It was about the City seeking a real partnership with an accountable local partner — that is, We Care — a point you have missed or ignored.” She also wrote that organizations like We Care have little incentive to collaborate with city governments and that cities are left managing homelessness impacts without sufficient funding.
The 2025 Point in Time County survey found there were 241 people experiencing homelessness in Turlock—a 55% increase since 2018. While other shelters serve women and children, We Care provides 49 beds specifically for men aged 18 and older. Many residents are elderly and depend on Social Security but cannot afford rent; some are dropped off by family members who can no longer provide housing.
Mai described frequent full occupancy during winter months and noted that those unable to stay overnight can still receive meals at the shelter. Stays are not time-limited as long as guests adhere to curfew hours. Most rooms contain two beds; single rooms are reserved for employed residents as an incentive.
Currently, only service animals are allowed inside, but Mai is considering permitting other pets due to some individuals’ reluctance to leave their animals behind.
We Care offers additional support through three housing programs: Permanent Supportive Housing for people with disabilities (with participants paying 30% of their income), Rapid Re-housing (which recently received an $81,033 two-year grant), and an Affordable Housing Program operated with city partnership allowing below-market rents.
Partnerships with organizations such as La Familia provide mental health and substance abuse referrals; We Care also secured $172,715 for drug and alcohol counseling services.
After losing access to state funds due to lack of city approval earlier this year—and following community fundraising efforts including an April GoFundMe campaign—We Care closed temporarily in July but reopened in August thanks entirely to donations from local supporters.
Mai said it remains difficult securing ongoing funding because donors often prefer supporting women’s or children’s shelters rather than those serving men exclusively. The organization continues accepting donations of men’s clothing and welcomes volunteers interested in preparing meals.
Looking ahead, We Care plans another attempt at applying for state grants without requiring city endorsement due to new provisions added by county authorities encouraging cooperation between cities and shelters.
“They thought the city would support us,” Mai said regarding previous expectations about municipal backing.
