Ruth and Naomi Project prepares to open “Rincon Home” for senior women

After opening the Silverberry Home for senior women, members of the nonprofit Ruth and Naomi Project are about to open a second abode.

An army of volunteers on Saturday, including Target volunteer program members, were busy painting, cleaning and doing yard work at the Rincon Home before five women make the Apple Valley dwelling their home.

Constructed in 1979, the nearly 2,300 square-foot home with four bedrooms was “quite the fixer-upper,” said Robin Smith, the founder and executive director of the nonprofit.

“We’ve spent hours cleaning, scrubbing, painting, removing the acoustic ceiling and retexturing,” Smith said. “We also built a wall to divide a large room into two bedrooms. It’s been one big team effort.”

Helping Smith is her daughter, Tarrah Butorovich Plascencia, who is the director of sales and operations for the nonprofit.

Target volunteers to the rescue

Wearing red T-shirts, Target volunteers Jessica Jimenez and Annette Florez told the Daily Press they were excited to help prepare the home for the incoming seniors.

“We try to volunteer as much as possible,” Jimenez said. “We’ve helped several nonprofits across the High Desert and the Inland Empire.”

Last year, Jimenez and Florez helped Target achieve a milestone in giving as the company celebrated over 1 million volunteer hours.

Smith shared her appreciation of her volunteers and those who have shown support for the nonprofit, which opened its first rental home, Silverberry, nearly four years ago.

Golden Girls-style homes

Smith and members of her board believe each “Golden Girls-style” home is a safe and affordable option for women on a limited income.

“What do you do if you’re a senior woman, have no support family and only make $1,500?” Smith said. “We started the project to provide a secure and affordable place for these women to live.”

Each woman, who pays rent based on their income, has a private bedroom with a TV and shares common living areas in the homes.

“We provide meals, and pay for utilities and housing,” Smith said. “Our goal by next year is to provide transportation.”

Smith said the women at The Silverberry Home enjoy each other's company, with each bringing a special gift or talent to the group.

“One of our ladies likes to bake, and another loves to garden,” Smith said. “We offer Bible studies and have taco Tuesdays.”

She added that one resident formerly lived in an old apartment complex in an unsafe area of Adelanto, while another lived in an old mobile home in Apple Valley.

“Both these ladies were in vulnerable situations, with no assistance,” Smith said. “Now, they’re part of a family of women who look out for one another.”

Jennifer Bohner, a Ruth and Naomi Project board member said, "Robin and her daughter, Tarrah, have definitely taken a leap of faith to ensure at least a handful of women are living their best lives in their golden years."

Smith also conducts food distribution outreach from her Wild Goose Vintage & Thrift Store on Highway 18 in Apple Valley. The thrift store will host Ruth & Naomi's Third Annual Mad Hatter Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 18.

The event will include tea, lunch, bingo, a raffle, a silent auction, a hat contest, a vintage sale and live harp music. For tickets, visit facebook.com/wildgooseapplevalley .

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Ruth and Naomi Project prepares to open “Rincon Home” for senior women