Non-profit organization San Mateo Co. destroyed by a “mud wall” from storms and asks for help from the public

PESCADERO, California (KGO) — A non-profit retreat center in San Mateo County that serves to heal others is now in need of help after recent rain and landslides.

Nestled among the majestic redwoods of Pescadero, the Venture Retreat Center is a non-profit organization for those seeking a piece of tranquility in a chaotic world.

“It’s been around since 1965 and there were so many great treatment groups here,” says Janelle Bartlett, a volunteer at the center. She could not have imagined the chaos that would unfold here on New Year’s Eve.

“I didn’t expect a landslide. I have never experienced anything like it, the power, the strength and how quickly everything can be normal and suddenly a complete tragedy, ”she says, shod in rubber boots that are caked with mud.

In an instant, the fury of the storm, mixed with mud, penetrated their main house and the surrounding lands. It even displaced a group of visitors and caused power outages and water main breaks that took several days to repair.

“It’s like someone opened a dam and broke into the house,” says Bartlett’s brother and volunteer Jeremy Berthiom.

Janelle describes the area as a “river of mud” and shows us a 6-foot-deep pool that is now filled with mud and debris. Overturned furniture littered the only serene deck where guests gathered for al fresco dining and gatherings.

Armed with whatever tools they can find, the volunteers are painstakingly digging up and salvaging what is left, which is not much. And like almost two weeks of incessant rain, the task seems endless. Hip-high dirt is still visible in places on the walls of the main cabin, despite continuous cleaning.

“It’s stunning. So much work to be done, to shovel. We are just in shock,” says Jeremy.

Janelle doubts the insurance will cover much, if anything. With rain coming in the forecast, I can’t wait.

“We need a lot of hands, a lot of bodies and finances. Without help from somewhere, we cannot survive,” she says.

The retreat center has since launched a GoFundMe to help clean up. They address this call to the audience.

“Please help us.”

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