About Us
Our Vision:
A vibrant and healthy community where needed services are provided and
available for all residents
Our Mission:
Build and support a place to meet, provide improved health & safety services,
enhance education, assist with disaster relief, recreate and enjoy life.
The Dobbins/Oregon House Improvement Foundation (DOHIF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was registered with the State of California by the Yuba Feather Lion's Club in 1993.
The communities of Dobbins/Oregon House are located a 45 minutes drive on a winding road, 30 miles northeast of the twin cities of Marysville/Yuba City. They are rural, mountainous communities, with a population of approximately 5000.
What began seventeen years ago with conversations between neighbors has grown into a community wide, grass roots initiative to improve the quality of life in our area. Since DOHIF was formed, much effort has gone into defining the mission and vision of the Foundation, work to implement that mission and vision, and labor to build the necessary supporting facilities.
Supporting facilities are planned to be a 10,000 square foot Community Center building, sports fields, park like areas for fairs and community market activity and parking lots. Nearly all work on these facilities has been performed in-kind by volunteers from the community. At this juncture the Community Center building is constructed and in operation. Layout and grading for the sports fields and parking areas are complete. Clearing and grading for the park like areas is in progress. Work on an outdoor water system, restrooms and lighting is in the planning and design stages.
At a recent retreat, our Board of Directors agreed on priorities for our new community center as follows:
1. Health enhancing activities or Services
2. Education Services
3. Youth Services
4. Senior Services
5. Multi-Use Rooms including Emergency Shelter
At a recent strategic planning session, we also agreed that key elements of our strategic planning must include specification of appropriate facility usages and related revenues along with seeking free standing sources of operational funding that will ensure sustainability of the community center.
Our strategy for the last two years has included attempts to partner with a medical provider or other business that would rent the uncommitted space on the south side of the building, about 1200 sq feet. We have explored options with:
Western Sierra Medical Association - Downieville
Del Norte Clinics - Yuba City,
Sutter North, Yuba City - Brownsville,
A local physical training provider,
Oregon House Clinic,
The California Endowment.
Several other people and businesses interested in the space.
At this time, it has become clear that neither funds for build-out, or a commitment to use the space if we build it out, is forthcoming with any medical provider pending the results of a comprehensive local medical feasibility study. Further, funding for a feasibility study has not been found to date.
Other suggested uses for the space included:
A Day Care program
After School programs
Youth center
And for the center as well as the uncommitted space: Studio Arts, including classes in
Gymnastics
Music
Art
Dancing
A (green) commercial venture
Gasoline sales for members
Fast food
A Recycling center
An extension of the Marysville Library
We agreed we should investigate Prop 10 funds, First 5 and CalWorks, by contacting our county director of the First 5 program. Also we should recognize that where the money is going is for children and we need to tailor our capabilities in that direction.
Also, we should be seeking grants from The Irvine Foundation and other Public and Private foundations as well as government grant makers.
One issue we must explore is: If we rent/lease some of our space to a profit making entity (such as commercial business) what impact will this have on our property tax exemption?
Additionally we need to keep pursuing Endowment possibilities, and use of our newsletter to solicit ideas from teachers, instructors and community members in general to identify educational and other unmet social needs and opportunities that are consistent with our mission/vision and our abilities.
