Preparations for the 7th year of the Winter Relief Emergency Shelter Program are proceeding even though the funding for this year is not secure. After four years of budget cuts in the public sector and reduced foundation grants TCHC is exploring new avenues of fund raising. Your faith community or club can get involved in this effective program by contacting Brenda Williams, Emergency Service Coordinator at 510-252-0910 x 12 or email bwilliams@tricityhomeless.org
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The Winter Relief Program grew out of the needs of families who were on the waiting list for Sunrise Village Homeless Shelter. As the waiting list continued to grow to over 102 families in August 2001, community leaders met with TCHC staff to discuss how to help these families get through the cold, wet winter months.
Tri-City Homeless Coalition re-created the original shelter program in use before Sunrise Village was built in 1993. Homeless families are sheltered in the fellowship halls of local faith communities for one month at a time and meals, classes and other program functions take place all winter at Centerville Presbyterian Church. Families receive the same support services as the clients at Sunrise Village, working with a case manager to begin to address the challenges which led to their homelessness. As space becomes available at Sunrise Village, the families move there and free up space for a new family to come into Winter Relief. The program provides parenting classes and support groups as well as enrichment activities for the children and the clients have access to the HOPE Project mobile clinic to receive basic health and mental health care as well as counseling for alcohol or drug dependencies and tobacco use.
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