Winter Nights Family Shelter

TO PROVIDE SHELTER, RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT TO HOMELESS FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO HELP THEM RETURN TO STABLE HOUSING, THROUGH A SEASONAL FAMILY SHELTER, A SAFE PARKING PROGRAM AND CONTINUED SUCCESS OUTREACH TO FORMER CLIENTS.

SAFE PARKING PROGRAM -- FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, PROVIDES STAFF-SUPERVISED OVERNIGHT PARKING FROM 8 PM 7 AM, AS WELL AS RESTROOMS, BREAKFAST, SNACKS, HYGIENE SUPPLIES, AND ACCESS TO SHOWERS. THE SAME ASSISTANCE AND CLIENT SERVICES ARE OFFERED AS AT THE SHELTER, INCLUDING HELP FUNDING THINGS THAT WILL LEAD TO EMPLOYMENT AND STABLE HOUSING LIKE CAR REPAIR, VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND DRIVERS LICENSE FEES, AND DEPOSITS ON APARTMENTS. THIS PROGRAM HAS PROVEN TO BE A GREAT SUCCESS AND IN HUGE DEMAND. IT IS CURRENTLY THE ONLY SAFE PARKING PROGRAM IN THE COUNTY. THIS YEAR, THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN FEBRUARY AND WAS SCHEDULED TO RUN THROUGH MAY. HOWEVER, DUE TO INCREASED INTEREST AND PARTICIPATION THIS YEAR, WE ARE NOW OPERATING FOR AT LEAST 7 MONTHS AND HAVE THE GOAL OF EXPANDING INTO A YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM. PEOPLE SLEEP IN THEIR CARS IN THE SUMMER TOO, AND STILL NEED SOME PLACE SAFE TO GO. WE ARE ALSO INCREASING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR CLIENTS TO HELP MAKE THAT LITTLE BIT OF DIFFERENCE THAT PUTS THEM ON THE ROAD TO STABLE HOUSING. FUNDING WILLBE KEY. THANKS TO THE AMAZING STAFF: DONNA, HEATHER, ELIJAH AND DENICE. YOU ARE THE BEST!IMPACT:AT THE END OF JUNE, AFTER 5 MONTHS OF OPERATION, SPP HAD SERVED 24 CLIENTS IN 18 CARS. THIS REPRESENTS A MOTHER WITH HER SON, A WOMAN WHO IS PREGNANT, 5 COUPLES AND 2 INDIVIDUALS. THERE WAS A WAIT LIST OF 10 CARS: 2 FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN, 1 COUPLE AND 7 INDIVIDUALS. SUPPORT AND CLIENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO ALL PARTICIPANTS. IN THAT 5 MONTHS 8 PEOPLE WERE GIVEN GAS CARDS TO HELP WITH CLIMBING GAS PRICES, 2 WERE HELPED WITH THE COST OF RENEWING DRIVERS LICENSES AND VEHICLE REGISTRATION, ALLOWING THEM TO DRIVE LEGALLY AND SEEK EMPLOYMENT, 2 OTHERS WERE HELPED WITH CAR REPAIR BY WINTER NIGHTS AND HOPE CONFERENCE

THE FAMILY SHELTER -- INCLUDING THE OASIS DAY CENTER AND THE VAN TRANSPORTATION, IS A PROGRAM FOR THE TEMPORARY SHELTER OF HOMELESS FAMILIES IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY WITH MINOR CHILDREN AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS LIVING WITH THEM WHEN THEY WENT HOMELESS. IT HAS OPERATED FOR 17 YEARS. POST-COVID, WE WILL BE EXPANDING TO 36 WEEKS, SEPTEMBER 2021 JUNE 2022. FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED A SAFE PLACE TO STAY IN A CONGREGATE SETTING, 3 MEALS A DAY, TUTORING, TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL AND APPOINTMENTS, AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES. THE SHELTER ACCOMMODATES UP TO 30 INDIVIDUALS AT ANY ONE TIME IN FAMILY SIZED TENTS SET UP INSIDE LARGE HALLS. CLIENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES, PROVIDED BY WINTER NIGHTS PAID STAFF, FOCUS ON MEETING THEM WHERE THEY ARE TO SUPPORT THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS INCLUDING RESOLVING OUTSTANDING PROBLEMS, EMPLOYMENT, AND HOUSING PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. PARTNERS IN LOCAL FAITH COMMUNITIES DONATE THEIR SITES FOR 2 WEEKS AT A TIME, AND THEIR VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE 3 MEALS A DAY, HOMEWORK HELP, FAMILY ACTIVITIES, CLEANING, AND OVERNIGHT BACK-UP TO PAID STAFF. THE 2018-19 SHELTER YEAR SAW THE BIRTH OF 5 BABIES WHILE STAYING AT THE SHELTERA RECORD! WE ARE THE ONLY SHELTER TO WELCOME EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS SUCH AS GRANDPARENTS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD CLIENTS WITH SERVICE DOGS. KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER AND COMFORTABLE IS A MAJOR GOAL. IF A FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE A CAR, OUR 15-PASSENGER VAN TAKES SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN TO THE SCHOOL THEY ATTENDED WHEN THEY BECAME HOMELESS, PARENTS WITH TODDLERS TO THE OASIS DAY CENTER , AND OTHER PARENTS TO BART OR APPOINTMENTS, AS NEEDED.THE OASIS DAY CENTER OPERATES 5 DAYS A WEEK, WHEN THE SHELTER IS CLOSED. FAMILIES LEAVE THE SHELTER AT 7 AM. OASIS GIVES PARENTS AND FAMILIES A PLACE TO BE DURING THE DAY. IT ALSO GIVES PARENTS A PLACE TO WORK WITH STAFF DURING THE DAY TO GET THINGS DONE TO GET BACK INTO STABLE HOUSING. THE SHELTER RE-OPENS AT 5 PM, AND OASIS CLOSES. ON WEEKENDS FAMILIES CAN REMAIN AT THE SHELTER 24 HOURS A DAY.

CONTINUED SUCCESS -- IS A PROGRAM TO ASSIST WINTER NIGHTS ALUMNI FAMILIES IN WAYS THAT ENABLE THEM TO STAY CONNECTED AND TO REMAIN HOUSED. FOR EXAMPLE: RENTAL OR UTILITY ASSISTANCE, CAR REPAIRS, GAS AND STORE GIFT CARDS, REFERRALS FOR JOBS, ITEMS FOR THE HOUSEHOLD, BABIES, AND CHILDREN.IMPACT:WE REACHED OUT TO 53 ALUMNI FAMILIES, 26 REPLIED AND 10 OF THEM ASKED FOR SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE.- WE HELPED TWO FAMILIES WITH OVER-DUE RENT BECAUSE OF JOB LOSS AND KEPT THEM FROMEVICTION.- WE PROVIDED BABY ITEMS FOR A FAMILY AFTER THE FATHER UNEXPECTEDLY PASSED AWAY AND THE MOTHER WAS EXPECTING THEIR THIRD CHILD.- WE ARE NOW HELPING A FAMILY OF 7 WITH CAR REPAIR COSTS.IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO KEEP A FAMILY HOUSED THAN INVEST IN RETURNING THEM TO HOUSING.