Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Deichler.
Martha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
About 7 years ago when COVID hit our state pretty hard and folks lost jobs and the economy began to falter, I was sponsoring a small food bank at the high school where I was the superintendent. When it became evident that families in our town were suffering mightily, the high school’s food bank joined with another one in town that was supporting workers in their construction and gardening business. We soon had a large weekly food bank that served around 150 people.
Our food bank numbers grew as hundreds of people lost their jobs in the the number #1 employer in Borrego – the hospitality business of golf courses, restaurants, hotels, and state park.
Borrego Springs is a small, unincorporated, rural town of about 3,500 year-round residents, located in the middle of the vast Anza Borrego Desert State Park. We are a minimum of 1.5 hours from any large city with amenities and our year round residents are largely Hispanic and low-income. During the cooler seasons, our population swells to around 9,000 as snowbirds return for the winter.
As the locals lost work due to COVID, there was much confusion around applying for unemployment and signing up for the COVID vaccines. With many having no Internet nor computers at home, people came to the food bank not just for food but for advice and help with these issues.
Soon the food bank was handing out food to over 200 families and the number was rising. We acquired a set of 5 used computers and folks volunteered to assist many with government forms and making a reservation for a COVID vaccine.
It was becoming obvious that there were many needs in our community and people had no where to go to have them addressed. These needs included not only food and vaccines but also info on MediCal, CalWorks and CalFresh. Families needed financial assistance to drive to doctor appointments outside of Borrego due to the inadequate services provided by our small clinic. AA needed an additional space in our community for meetings. Folks sought classes in computer literacy, English language and citizenship.
With food bank number hitting 350+ each week and folks seeking sources of help to improve their situation, the food bank location was transforming itself into a Community Resource Center. I retired as the superintendent of the school district and took on the volunteer operation of this entity.
With start up funding from the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF), the Wermers’ Donor Advised Fund, and a Federal Transportation Grant, this Community Resource Center (CRC) took off about 3 years ago. The CRC is now the hub of social services and programs in our village.
Our plethora of activities include not only the food bank but: Voter Registration, a Volunteer Driver Reimbursement Program for medical appointments, Grief Counseling, English and Spanish Classes, Citizenship Class, Ballet Folklorico, Computer Literacy, AA meetings, and soon we will add a GED Class for young people who did not obtain a high school diploma.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The challenge has been that I didn’t know where we were going when we started the food bank. We had no idea it would evolve into such a large and encompassing operation. We were simply following the needs in our community that COVID was bringing to our attention. We still are operating in this manner, although COVID has passed.
I feel quite lucky that my Board of Directors does not tie me down to a two year strategic plan. They realize that the most effective way for me to run this CRC is to be responsive to the needs in our community as they present themselves.
As an example, many elderly people who would like to remain in our community as they age, cannot find a caregiver to assist them with daily chores. Consequently, they are forced to move out of Borrego to a larger city with a caregiver program. In response to this, the CRC created a Caregiver or IHSS (In Home Support Services) Program where we train locals to serve in this role. We assist them with San Diego County’s process for training and then our CRC contact works to match needs with caregivers. The elderly are able to remain in their Borrego home and the Caregiver gains employment and training.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I humbly admit that I am a connector. I connect people who have needs with someone or some program that can address their needs. I am most proud of this skill and I relish the challenge of seeking solutions and/or helping folks find a solution to their questions.
In addition to the Community Resource Center, I also work with Borrego Springs Rotary, our Civic Foundation, and the Borrego Ministers Association to connect folks with resources.
My years as an administrator in the school district as well as my ability to speak Spanish have opened a plethora of doors for me. I know almost every family in our town and I am the first person individuals and families contact when there is an emergency or problem.
I am not special – I just happen to live in a community where my skills match the needs of those in our town. In addition, I build meaningful and authentic relationships with all people which enable me to communicate and earn their trust.
I love living a meaningful life in this small community of Borrego Springs. I will be 77 next week and I have no intention of “retiring” in the normal sense of the word.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am amazed with the generosity of people in this community. Every November, I make calls to supporters and I am able to easily bring in the $100,000 I need to run the Resource Center for a year. (This is in addition to grants that I write.) I have learned that when people respect what you are doing and trust your integrity and motives, the ask is always easier.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://borregocrc.org
