Below, you will find a list of resources and organizations who are dedicated to assisting the homeless and impoverished in the South Bay. You can support the missions of these organizations by giving your time, donating goods or services, by making a financial contribution, and so much more. Contact information for each organization is provided. If you know of an organization or resource in the South Bay that we have not included, please send an email to deSaissetMuseum@scu.edu and we'll add it. Thank you!
Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
Mission: "Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County serves and advocates for families and individuals in need, especially those living in poverty.Rooted in gospel values, we work to create a more just and compassionate community in which people of all cultures and beliefs can participate."
Contact: 2625 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95134
(408) 468-0100
http://www.catholiccharitiesscc.org/
Casa de Clara Catholic Worker
"On May 1, 1933, in the depths of the Great Depression, The Catholic Worker newspaper made its debut with a first issue of twenty-five hundred copies.Dorothy Day and a few others hawked the paper in Union Square for a penny a copy (still the price) to passersby.
The Catholic Worker Movement is grounded in a firm belief in the God-given dignity of every human person.
Today 213 Catholic Worker communities remain committed to nonviolence, voluntary poverty, prayer, and hospitality for the homeless, exiled, hungry, and forsaken. Catholic Workers continue to protest injustice, war, racism, and violence of all forms."
Contact: 318 North 6th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 297-8330
http://www.catholicworker.org/index.cfm
Family Supportive Housing, Inc.
"[Provides] temporary shelter and support services for homeless families in Santa Clara County."
Contact: 1590 Las Plumas Avenue, San Jose, CA 95133
(408) 926-8885
http://www.sjfamilyshelter.org/
Habitat for Humanity
"Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian ministry founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live.We build with people in need regardless of race or religion.We welcome volunteers and supports from all backgrounds."
Contact: Silicon Valley Branch (408) 942-6444 x312
San Francisco Branch (415) 625-1000
http://www.habitat.org/
Heritage Home: San Jose
City Team's Heritage Home provides long-term, compassionate ministry to homeless, poor, and abused women who are pregnant and have no where else to turn. Heritage Home helps these women meet their immediate needs and supports their efforts to work out long-term solutions through multiple programs.
Contact: 435 North Third Street
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 294-1238
www.cityteam.org/san-jose/heritage-home/
InnVision: The Way Home
"We are dedicated to empowering homeless and at-risk families and individuals in finding….the way home! We accomplish this by offering various levels of housing and day programs in a safe and supportive environment that promotes self-worth and independent living."
Contact: 1900 The Alameda Suite 400, San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 292-4286
http://www.innvision.org/
Sacred Heart Community Services
"Our mission is to build a community free from poverty by creating hope, opportunity, and action.We provide essential services, empower people to improve their lives, advocate for justice, and inspire volunteers to love, serve, and share."
Contact: 1381 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95110
(408) 278-2160
http://www.sacredheartcs.org/
Second Harvest Food Bank
"Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties' service area stretches from South San Francisco to Gilroy and from the ocean to the bay.
From July 2010 through December 2010, we provide food to an average of 247,000 individuals each month, making us the single largest non-profit provider of food to low-income people in our service area."
Contact: 750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 266-8866
http://shfb.org/
To Get You Started...Opportunities Around the Broader Bay Area
HELP Housing Equality Law Project
"Founded in 2009, HELP employs a diverse group of professionals to carry out its mission of addressing discrimination in housing. We have obtained numerous settlements and received nationwide recognition for its leadership in housing advocacy."
Contact: 3 Embarcadero Center, Suite 420, San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 434-9400 or (650) 315-2173
http://www.housingequality.org/
Project Homeless Connect
"The mission of Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is to provide a single location where non profit medical and social service providers collaborate to serve the homeless of San Francisco with comprehensive, holistic services."
Contact: 25 Van Ness Avenue Suite 340, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 503-2123
http://www.projecthomelessconnect.com/
San Francisco Food Bank
"We rely on volunteers like you to help sort, package and distribute healthy food to people in need in San Francisco.
Each year, over 22,000 people contribute thousands of hours to fighting hunger in our community.This support will enable us to distribute 43.5 million pounds of food this year—enough for 93,000 meals every day."
Contact: 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 282-1900
http://www.sffoodbank.org/
Samaritan House
"Established in 1974, Samaritan House is a non-profit health and human services agency with over 30 years of experience in providing a broad range of services and resources to low-income residents in San Mateo County.Services include case management, clothing, medical care, food, shelter, employment assistance, and food and toys for the holidays. All services are provided free of charge to low-income families.
The Samaritan House mission is to improve lives, promote self-sufficiency, and preserve dignity by providing supportive services for all members of our community in need. To crate and provide effective opportunities for community members to share their means, their energy, and their concern for those in need."
Contact: 4031 Pacific Boulevard , San Mateo CA 94403
(650) 341-0526
http://www.samaritanhouse.com/new/home/index.shtml