Noralea Gipner named Contra Costa County Woman of the Year by Senator Bill Dodd
Thursday, March 24, 2022
MARTINEZ – Noralea Gipner, a former Martinez City Council member who led a successful public safety sales tax campaign and was instrumental in efforts to improve services for the homeless, has been named Contra Costa County Woman of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd.
“Noralea’s hard work and dedication to her community is nothing short of impressive,” Sen. Dodd said. “Through her leadership, much has been accomplished to improve essential services and enhance public safety. I am happy to give her this much-deserved recognition.”
“Over three years ago I had a dream to aid our homeless citizens of Martinez,” Gipner said. “With the help of friends, we formed Homeless Action Coalition, my non-profit. The pandemic gave me the opportunity to create Camp Hope and the results so far are amazing; better health, a sense of belonging, opportunities for rehab, housing, and employment for many of our folks.”
Gipner, a Martinez native, is president and CEO of Homeless Action Coalition and founder of Camp Hope. The licensed cosmetologist and longtime community volunteer was elected to the Martinez City Council in 2016 and served through 2020. During that time she is credited with leading the city’s 2018 campaign for Measure X, the half-cent public safety sales tax, and for helping to bring a second baseball team, the Martinez Sturgeon, to town. She also was responsible for obtaining services such as showers and clothing and long-term places to live for the homeless. At the same time, she developed strong partnerships with the police department, county health workers, faith groups and other advocacy groups in her efforts to address the needs of the homeless community.
She has received many honors including the 2020 Community Service award from the Kiwanis Club, the 2019 Ruby award from Soroptimist and 2008 Woman of the Year from the Martinez Chamber of Commerce.
November 19, 2021
Diablo Magazine names Noralea Gipner of the Homeless Action Coalition as a 2021 Thread of Hope Honoree
“Hosting as many as 36 residents, Camp Hope (which is funded through community donations) provides tents, clothing, toiletries, and showers; helps people get services such as food stamps, general assistance, and medical/dental care; and coordinates with the C.O.R.E. team to aid individuals with finding shared housing or getting into rehab or detox programs. Camp residents must follow a set of rules such as respecting others, doing chores, and no fighting or needle usage. The camp’s Green Team even cleans up the surrounding area, which has generated more support from the general community.”
Read the full article: Diablo Magazine Names 2021 Thread of Hope HonoreesJune 24, 2021East Bay nonprofit help unhoused community find hope and new beginnings.
An East Bay nonprofit, Homeless Action Coalition, is bringing hope to the homeless population in the city of Martinez.
Noralea Gipner, former city council member, in conjunction with local faith leaders, Martinez Police Department, and Contra Costa C.O.RE. are addressing the essential needs of people living in the homeless encampment at the Martinez Waterfront Amphitheater.
Read the full article from ABC 7 News
June 18, 2021New Coalition Gets Nonprofit Status To Help It End Homelessness
A year-old Martinez-based homeless services outreach partnership is evolving into official nonprofit status, with the newly minted Homeless Action Coalition set to become a hub for connecting the area's homeless population with the staples and services they need.
The Homeless Action Coalition, formally incorporating a few months ago as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community benefit organization, has already built an internal infrastructure with a board of directors, a Faith Community Advisory Committee and fundraising capability. An outgrowth of the Martinez Homelessness Task Force, the new coalition has so far raised almost $30,000 from individual donors, faith organizations and labor groups.
Read the full article from the Bay Area News Foundation.
June 16, 2021Martinez leaders launch Homeless Action Coalition to ‘fill the gaps’ in essential services, address housing crisis
Today, Tuesday, June 16, 2020 the Martinez Homelessness Task Force, led by City Council member Noralea Gipner and a coalition of community and faith leaders, announced the next phase of its work with the launch of the independent Homeless Action Coalition (HAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community benefit organization.
Read the full article at the Contra Costa HeraldNovember 17, 2019We’re working hard in partnership with the City of Martinez and County of Contra Costa. Check out this video from CBS News Bay Area (KPIX-TV) covering our approach to fighting homelessness.
November 7, 2019KPIX CBS SF Bay Area
Homelessness is a problem throughout the Bay Area but the city of Martinez is making solid strides to find solutions.
Martinez has received awards for its work to help the homeless and its efforts go beyond making arrests or moving encampments. The goal is to get people off the streets for good.
Read the full article: City of Martinez Makes Progress Convincing Homeless to Accept Help