Southern Humboldt County, So Hum to those in the know. A community united for the love of the special mountains, trees and natural landscapes that welcomed those who wanted to live amongst it. Whatever drew you to this place, you met others along the way who had been drawn here also.

When you cross the county line, locals can tell you, the air is different. The sounds are different. Even the river flows differently than most. It is a feeling of home. It is the shared history of celebrations, music and running into each other at community events. It’s knowing that folks can give you strength and light, when you feel like you’re running out of both. It’s remembering the funny stories and the ridiculous things that have happened. It’s feeling the pride in watching the heroes of the community shine.

In So Hum, everyone can be a hero.

The community has had its history, as any family, it has watched children leave home and it’s elders move away. It has shared the success and joys of its members and grieved alongside one another in tragedy and loss.

Through the years, different social challenges have presented themselves in our community. Each time, neighbors have come together to create community solutions, and they did. Our radio, park, medical, senior, community services, and 19 Volunteer Fire Depts. are uniquely southern Humboldt. These were all built by folks coming together, each bringing their own special talent, contribution and ideas.

Now our community is presented with a population of folks without a physical home who need our support, engagement and ideas for a safe place to land. The population of the unhoused has grown significantly in California. From the start of the Pandemic thorugh 2022, the unhoused population grew by 6% and California ranks the #1 in the nation for the largest population of homelessness.

It may be cliche to talk about the parable of “Stone Soup”-yet its most elementary interpretation is a story of people bringing whatever they had in their cupboards to throw in the pot. They couldn’t do it alone, but working together, everyone was fed.

We are still holding each other up, still offering help to those in need, and still creating solutions for us to live with one another in strength and light. To our beloved family of SoHum, we thank you and share with you the opportunities to be a part of this amazing effort.

In So Hum, everyone can be a hero.

-Diana Copithorne 2023