St. John’s Shelter to Provide Housing for Homeless at Mather Field

Earlier this week, the Board of Supervisors approved the winter shelter plan that will house homeless families in the empty bungalows at Mather Field. St. John’s Shelter will be running the program and are working quickly so that families in need may have adequate housing as soon as possible. The bungalows are part of a plan that will ensure housing for the many homeless families that previously spent their winters at the over-flow winter shelter at Cal Expo. Due to county budget cuts, the shelter was unable to open again this year.

Volunteers are furiously cleaning and repairing the Mather Community Campus bungalows as the buildings have been in disrepair and unfit for habitation. So far, twelve of the thirty five units have been approved by building inspectors. Five families will be moving in to their bungalows this weekend and the others, about 100 people, will be be moving in as the units are ready.

Currently, many homeless families are utilizing vouchers that were given out at the beginning of the month that allowed them to stay are various Sacramento area motels. Still others are sleeping in extra space at existing shelters.

While the volunteers are ensuring that the buildings will be structurally sound, the bungalows still have unmet needs to make these buildings temporary homes for the winter. Community members are being asked to donate any new or used items. Anything from sofas and love seats, dining tables, and lamps to kitchen utensils, measuring cups, vacuums and hangers will be greatly appreciated. Sleep Train has generously donated mattresses. Donations can be made at St. John’s Shelter, located at 4410 Power Inn Road in Sacramento. For more information, please call 916-453-1482.

St. John’s is no stranger to serving the local  homeless community. Established by St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1985 as an emergency shelter for women and children, the organization has grown to fit the needs of the community. In 2004, St. John’s moved from their location in the fellowship hall at Loaves and Fishes to a much larger facility that allows families to stay up to 90 days. The 24 hours a day, 7 days a week services that are provided by the shelter are comprehensive. Services such as mental health counseling, drug and alcohol recovery programs, health services, parenting courses, housing and employment services, and self-development classes are just a few of the many options for building self suffuciency.

The program is exclusive to women and children and since its beginning has provided a safe environment for more than 23,000 people. In order to have such success, St. John’s must collaberate with other Sacramento area organizations such as Sacramento State University, The Effort, Project Teach, and Sacramento County, among many others.

To donate or volunteer your time, please contact the shelter directly. There are many ways the community can make a difference in the lives of these women and children, and with more than 1,000 people coming through their doors every year, St. John’s relies on the community to help support their cause.

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Posted by Michelle Ventress on Dec 24 2009. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.