True North Housing Alliance reveals name, design of next project: the Howard Slater Navigation Center
Naming honors Howard Slater and his family’s longtime support of Torres Shelter
A digital rendering of the design of the Howard Slater Navigation Center.
8/23/24, Chico CA >> True North Housing Alliance has unveiled the design of its latest project, which will be named in honor of longtime supporter and friend of the Torres Shelter: Howard Slater.
The Howard Slater Navigation Center honors Howard Slater’s efforts to make the world a better place. The renderings, unveiled today, show a building design complete with a logo of his iconic moustache.
Howard Slater was known not only for his reputable work with his family’s construction company, Slater and Son, but also for his generosity and dedication to supporting causes helping local children and families in need. His family has upheld that legacy with their multi-generational efforts to make a difference.
"In the 26 years we’ve been involved with the Torres Shelter, this is the best it’s felt,” said Howard’s wife, Diane Slater, who is also a former board member of the Torres Shelter and organizer of the shelter’s most popular fundraiser, Empty Bowls. “Howard would be honored to have his name on the Navigation Center.”
The Howard Slater Navigation Center will be the first of its kind in Chico. It will provide anyone in the community who is in need with a centralized entry point to receive services and support, featuring case management, housing assistance information, healthcare, counseling, and access to community service providers all under one roof.
The Slater family—Diane, son Brandon and grandson Revin—announced their support for True North Housing Alliance’s navigation center with a $200,000 donation toward the project last month. Of that donation, $70,000 came from the support of the community via the Howard Slater Memorial Fund at North Valley Community Foundation.
With this significant donation, along with another generous $100,000 grant made by NVCF last week, True North Housing Alliance is now just $1 million away from its $2.5 million goal for the project!
“Howard Slater and his family have been tremendous supporters of True North Housing Alliance since we were founded 26 years ago,” said Taylor Bunch, Executive Director of True North Housing Alliance. “They are one of the reasons the Torres Shelter exists. Howard was always one of our biggest fans. He truly loved our shelter, cared about our mission, and was invested in our work.”
Brandon and Revin Slater speak at an event in support of True North.
Young Revin Slater has spearheaded fundraising efforts for the project in honor of his grandfather.
“My Popsie [Howard Slater] and I love donating to the Torres Shelter because of people like my friend Karla, who was living on the street until she met the Torres Shelter team and they helped her,” said Revin Slater. “Now she works there and is able to help others that were suffering like she was.”
The Howard Slater Navigation Center will serve 90% of the known unhoused population in Butte County. By focusing on homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing and early intervention, the Howard Slater Navigation Center will provide individuals and families with the support they need to stop the cycle of homelessness before it begins.
"Revin and the Slater family have poured their hearts into helping others, and our team at True North Housing Alliance is so grateful for their efforts. Their support is quite literally saving lives,” said Taylor Bunch, True North’s executive director. “By raising $200,000 for our Navigation Center Capital Campaign, Revin has shown that you are never too young to make positive change. There's a lot of hopelessness, fear, and anger in the world right now, but Revin's actions and the kind actions of other kids like him remind us that there is plenty to be hopeful for in this world.”
To join the Slaters in True North Housing Alliance’s campaign to build the Howard Slater Navigation Center, go to truenorthbutte.org/navigation-center to make your donation today! Donations can also be made directly to the Howard Slater Memorial Fund at the North Valley Community Foundation: www.nvcf.org/howard-slater-memorial-fund
Diane and Howard Slater at Empty Bowls.