news story / By Ryan Burns

Acclaiming Kay

Humboldt Bay Housing names a street after founding member

(Oct. 22, 2009)  When Kay Escarda heard that her colleagues on Arcata’s Community Land Trust (a division of the nonprofit Humboldt Bay Housing and Development Corporation) wanted to name a street after her, she was honored, to be sure. But she didn’t think much more about it. As a veteran volunteer and community activist, she’s received numerous honors and awards over the years. Plus, she’d seen the street in question on a map, and it was tiny. Barely an inch long.

But shortly thereafter, Escarda went to check on the progress of the CLT project, a 10-unit affordable housing development in the Janes Creek subdivision, and there, affixed to the side of a telephone meter, she saw a label that read “Escarda Ct.” Suddenly the gesture didn’t seem so inconsequential. The name “Escarda” will be remembered in 100 years, she realized, at least by the mailman.

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“Looking at the sign I thought, ‘Geez. This is a bigger deal than I thought,’” Escarda said.

Street sign or no, she may be underestimating her name’s staying power. A retired schoolteacher whose subjects ranged from English and social sciences to music and home economics, Escarda has influenced countless lives. Her altruism goes at least as far back as the early 1960s when, as a social worker with the county, she helped people struggling with substance abuse and developed a community directory of social services. She’s been a member of the League of Women Voters for 45 years and has volunteered extensively with health care, education and housing organizations.

At a Eureka City Council meeting last month, just the mention of her name brought an uncommon harmony to the proceedings. One moment Mayor Virginia Bass and Councilman Larry Glass were heatedly talking over the top of each other; the next they were waxing rhapsodic about Escarda, who was up for reappointment to the city’s Housing Authority.

“I think Kay Escarda does a wonderful job,” Glass said.

“You’re absolutely correct on that,” Bass enthused. “Kay’s a gem.”

“I agree,” Councilman Jeff Leonard chimed in. Her reappointment was unanimous.

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