Homelessness: We're Doing it Wrong
Doing it right means building more ultra-affordable homes. Now.
On our morning walks, Torri and I encounter several of the homeless “regulars” as we navigate the streets of San Carlos and Redwood City. My own sister has experienced variations of homelessness as she has spent years couch surfing the border zone between Oakland and San Leandro. The undeniable reality of the Bay Area homeless situation since the mid 1970s is that has been increasing with no ceiling in sight.
In 2019, the last time there was a formal report, there were approximately 28,000 homeless persons in the Bay Area. This total put us third in the entire United States, behind only New York City (76,500) and Los Angeles (55,200). Our homeless population is primarily comprised of older males, with higher minority and LGBTQ+ representations than our general population. The data also shows that our crisis is one of our own making, not a product of the migration of homeless individuals from other states or regions.
Following a variation of the “Pottery Barn Rule”, we broke, we should fix it. Easier said than done as it turns out. Lots of fits and starts over the years, but not much in the way of success. Perhaps it behooves us to look at how we got here.
How We Got Here
The San Francisco Bay Area's long-term homeless population was relatively small through the early 1970s. In fact, the term homeless wasn't even in popular use in government or the press. By the early 1980s, homelessness became a full-blown crisis in the Bay Area and throughout the country.
It was crisis which was a decade in the making. A combination of massive state and federal cuts to mental health services and public housing as well as a wave of Vietnam veterans in need of help began the spiral by the mid 1970s. By the late 1980s early 1990s, we saw the impact of skyrocketing home prices combined with a spike in unemployment caused by the national recession. The Bay Area was hit particularly hard, especially in the San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.
Affordability
It is rather inescapable that not having enough money to pay Bay Area rental prices is a key part of the problem. There is simply a lack of supply of very-low-income affordable housing in the Bay Area. From 1999 to 2014, the Bay Area permitted construction of 61,000 fewer very-low-income affordable-housing units than recommended by the state and lost a substantial portion of existing housing inventory to market pressures. In San Francisco, for every two affordable housing units created, the city lost more than one from its existing inventory because of units being permanently withdrawn from the protection of rent control.
Note: US Department of Housing and Urban Development defines “affordable” units as those units for which monthly rent and basic utilities does not exceed 30 percent of monthly income for a given income bracket. “Very-low-income affordable” units are defined as units affordable to families making less than 30 percent of the area median income.
The net result is a severe housing shortage: according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, as of 2017, in the San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward and San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara metropolitan areas alone, there was a supply gap of more than 157,500 affordable and available units for extremely low-income households. Two-thirds of extremely low-income households lived in rental accommodations they struggled to afford, leaving them one unexpected expense away from entering homelessness.
Keep in mind, these numbers are all pre COVID-19 and who knows how many people will be evicted in the coming months.
Inventory
A variety of affordable housing advocates have argued that rent control is a key tool in helping to alleviate homelessness. Indeed many tenants greatly value a legal benefit like rent control. And why not, it allows tenants to stay in neighborhoods where they may have lived for many years and in which they feel invested. This is definitely perceived by most as a positive externality of rent control.
However, a substantial body of economic research has warned about the potential negative externalities of limiting rent increases below market rates. Their concerns include: overconsumption of housing by tenants, misallocation of housing, negative spillovers onto neighboring housing, and neglect of required maintenance. Yet in the absence of rent control, many tenants are unable to insure themselves against rent increases.
Who is right?
Well, a 2019 study provides some empirical data on how introducing local rent controls impacts tenants, landlords, and the broader housing market. The researchers leveraged an unexpected 1994 law change (what we in the biz like to describe as "a natural experiment") that suddenly rent-controlled a subset of San Francisco buildings and their tenants, based on the year in which each building was built.
The data and subsequent analysis suggested that tenants covered by rent control do indeed place a substantial value on the benefit, as revealed by their choice to remain in their apartments longer than those without rent control. Also the case: the vast majority of those with the incentive to remain in their rent-controlled apartment would have been displaced from San Francisco completely had they not been covered. At the same time, landlords of properties affected by the law change respond over the longer run by substituting to other types of real estate. In particular they converted rental housing into condos and redeveloped buildings so as to exempt them from rent control.
In the long run, landlords’ substitution toward owner-occupied and newly constructed rental housing not only lowered the supply of rental housing in the city, but also shifted the city’s housing supply towards less affordable types of housing that are likely to cater to the tastes of higher income individuals. Ultimately, these shifts in the housing supply seem likely to have driven up citywide rents, damaging housing affordability for future tenants.
The researchers conclude that rent control has actually contributed to the gentrification of San Francisco, the exact opposite of the policy’s intended goal. Indeed, by simultaneously bringing in higher income residents and preventing displacement of minorities, rent control has contributed to widening income inequality in the city.
The problem with tools that interfere with markets is that there are two sides to any market: a buyer and a seller. Change the rules for one, the other will follow suite. Like it or not, housing is a market, and as such we probably need to find a different way to solve the problem other than rent control.
FUCK! So, now what?
This may sound obvious, or stupid, or both, but the obvious solution to homelessness is a home.
We simply must expand our housing supply available to extremely low-income households to keep people in their homes and increase exit opportunities into permanent housing solutions. We will need to target both families and individuals who might be able to benefit from rapid rehousing services. As well, we'll need to figure out how to deal with the Bay Area’s large chronically homeless population, who, in most cases, require housing with wraparound services (mental health, job retraining, employment services) in order to successfully transition out of homelessness and remain housed.
“But wait!” you say. “Solutions to these problems aren’t free..”
Well, neither is the status quo. A 2015 study in Santa Clara County estimated that indirect costs of homelessness on the healthcare, criminal justice, and social services systems amounted to more than $520 million annually.
Take action
In the end, our success in how we treat the least well off in our society is a direct measure of our collective humanity. Bottom line: we need to build more houses that people can actually afford without being one unexpected expense away from loosing that home or rental unit. Until we figure that out, there are 102 organizations (probably more) that exist in the Bay Area to help get people housed or help them while homeless.
Check out the list. Pick one and volunteer your time, money or both. If we work together, this is a solvable problem.
A Home Away From Homelessness -- Beach House ProgramAbode Services
About: Abode Services is working to end homelessness in Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and Napa counties by assisting low-income, unhoused people to secure stable, supportive housing; and to be advocates for the removal of causes of homelessness.
Website: http://abodeservices.org
Volunteer: For volunteer opportunities at Abode, contact Director of Community Outreach Jean Morgan at jmorgan@abodeservices.org. Or go online at www.abodeservices.org/volunteer.
Address: 40849 Fremont Blvd., Fremont
Email: jmorgan@abodeservices.org
Phone: 510-252-0910, ext. 804
Alameda County Community Food Bank
About: We distribute millions of healthy meals every year, and are on the forefront of new approaches to ending hunger and poverty. We’re committed to creating a healthy, prosperous and just community.
Website: http://accfb.org
Volunteer: Volunteers needed for special event on Saturday, Nov. 20. The Saturday before Thanksgiving is one of the year’s biggest grocery shopping days—and also kicks off one of our biggest food drives. Join the Food Bank and Safeway for the annual Nourishing Neighbors holiday campaign by volunteering at one of the participating Safeway stores. Our greatest need is for volunteers to assist with food distributions at our partner agencies throughout Alameda County. For a list of current volunteer needs at local pantries and other organizations, .
Address: 7900 Edgewater Drive, Oakland
Email: volunteer@accfb.org
Phone: 510-635-3663
Alameda Point Collaborative
About: APC provides over 500 formerly homeless residents with the safety and stability of a place to call home.
Website: http://apcollaborative.org
Volunteer: Individual volunteers: Each volunteer site is different and offers a unique experience to volunteers. APC also welcomes people who need to complete hours for Project 22 community service requirements. Group volunteers: Groups from local companies, universities, places of worship and Girl and Boy Scout Troops complete improvement projects and lead educational workshops. APC has the capacity to host groups of up to 450 individuals. Volunteer projects depend on the size of the group and/or the presence of a budget.
Address: 677 W. Ranger Ave., Alameda
Phone: 510-898-7802
Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity
About: Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity (AHO) is Marin’s only nonprofit serving homeless teens and young adults ages 18 to 25 who represent 1/3 of Marin’s homeless population.
Website: http://ahoproject.org
Volunteer: Book speaking engagements with high school leadership students, provide a room in your home for a youth who needs transitional housing, offer professional services pro bono or volunteer at events and fundraisers, spearhead a Coalition of Faith Communities that invest in and adopt AHO,
Address: P.O. Box 2278, Mill Valley
Email: zarab@comcast.net
Phone: 415-203-0369
Back on My Feet
About: Back on My Feet is a national organization that combats homelessness through the power of running, community support, and employment and housing resources.
Volunteer: Run between 1 and 4 miles with members or help out at community events. For information: https://backonmyfeet.org/get-involved/volunteer
Address: Check website for running locations: https://backonmyfeet.org/san-francisco/
Phone: 415-606-1747
Bay Area Rescue Mission
About: Bay Area Rescue Mission offers a clean, safe place to sleep as well as a yearlong program to help adults get back into a functional, productive life.
Website: http://bayarearescue.org
Volunteer: One-time and scheduled recurring and group volunteering; collection drives and internships are available. More information on our website or email volunteers@BayAreaRescue.org.
Address: 2114 Macdonald Ave., Richmond
Email: info@BayAreaRescue.org
Phone: 510-215-4555
Berkeley Food & Housing Project
About: Berkeley Food & Housing Project provides a comprehensive range of housing, food and support services to help people move from homelessness into a safe and affordable home of their own.
Website: http://bfhp.org
Volunteer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all volunteer opportunities have been cancelled until further notice.
Address: 3225 Adeline St., Berkeley
Email: info@bfhp.org
Phone: 510-649-4965
Beyond Emancipation
About: B:E provides a range of supportive programs designed to help former foster and probation youth overcome their challenges, mitigate risks, and make healthy, successful transitions to adulthood and independent living.
Website: http://beyondemancipation.org
Volunteer: Three-six-month minimum volunteer commitment: adult education tutor, resume writing assistant. Short-term or one-time volunteer opportunities: Garden planting, Mother’s Day celebration volunteer, data/office administrative assistant, grants and fund development researcher.
Address: 675 Hegenberger Road, Suite 100, Oakland
Email: info@beyondemancipation.org
Phone: 510-667-7696
Building Futures
About: Building Futures helps people affected by homelessness and domestic violence by operating a safe house, emergency shelters and a permanent housing site and offering rental assistance.
Website: http://bfwc.org
Volunteer: Work with children served by emergency shelters and domestic violence safe house, donate meals, provide building maintenance, crisis line operations, administrative duties.
Address: 1840 Fairway Drive, San Leandro
Email: N/A
Phone: 510-357-0205, ext. 206
Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency
About: Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency provides housing, employment, mental health and violence prevention services.
Website: http://self-sufficiency.org
Volunteer: Current volunteer opportunities (click for more information & how to apply: https://www.self-sufficiency.org/volunteer).
Address: 1918 University Ave., No. 2A, Berkeley
Email: info@self-sufficiency.org
Phone: 510-649-1930, ext. 1008
Catholic Charities of San Francisco
About: Catholic Charities programs include homelessness and eviction prevention; Bayview and Mission access points for family homelessness prevention through collaborative problem-solving, emergency family shelters, homelessness outreach, support as families transition into housing, residential care for formerly homeless people with chronic illness such as HIV/AIDS and other coexisting conditions. Catholic Charities serves everyone.
Website: http://catholiccharitiessf.org
Volunteer: For the health and safety of the people we serve and our valued volunteers, we are not offering in-person volunteering. But your time and talent are still very necessary! Help make a difference through the remote opportunities here: https://www.catholiccharitiessf.org/how-to-help/volunteer.html
Address: 1555 39th Ave., San Francisco
Phone: 415-972-1200
Catholic Charities of the East Bay
About: Catholic Charities of the East Bay works with youths, children and families to promote resilience, strengthen families and pursue safety and justice. We help people, regardless of their faith, who struggle with poverty and other complex issues.
Website: http://www.cceb.org
Volunteer: Catholic Charities of the East Bay offers a diverse range of volunteer opportunities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.Check here to get involved: https://www.cceb.org/volunteer/
Address: 433 Jefferson St, Oakland (During the coronavirus (COVID-19) shelter-in-place all services are offered by phone or by appointment only.)
Email: volunteer@cceb.org
Phone: 510-600-9069
Care Through Touch Institute
About: Care Through Touch's mission is to promote healing through human connection. They create safe environments to enable both practitioners and recipients to be in touch with the systemic issues that cause and perpetuate trauma and violence in the lives of those experiencing poverty and homelessness. Caring touch is a radical act of justice and love that carries the potential of birthing a renewed sense of dignity and reverence for the whole person, body, mind, heart and soul.
Website: http://carethroughtouch.org
Volunteer: Seeking: publicity / designing flyers/ graphic designers, event planning, fundraising, certified massage therapists and students trained in a variety of touch modalities: acupressure, Reiki, healing touch, reflexology, and others, research partners (e.g. impact of healing touch), drivers for marginally housed seniors (groceries, rent/bill payments, medical appointments), laundering of massage towels & pillowcases, sound healers, yoga Instructors, massage therapists, Tai Chi teachers, acupuncturists, musicians and guided meditation facilitators who are interested in helping care for our volunteers during our care community meetings.
Address: 240 Golden Gate Ave., No. 206, San Francisco
Email: office@carethroughtouch.org
Phone: 415-344-0302
Charlotte Maxwell Clinic
About: The Charlotte Maxwell Clinic is a free public health clinic in Oakland that provides integrated medical services to Bay Area low-income women with cancer through a volunteer network of more than 200 health care practitioners.
Website: http://charlottemaxwell.org
Volunteer: Licensed acupuncturists, certified massage therapists, guided imagery specialists, Western herbalists, homeopaths, drivers and Spanish- and Chinese-language interpreters are needed. Volunteers can also offer support in the clinic assisting with fundraising, development or outreach. https://www.charlottemaxwell.org/volunteer/skills-we-need/
Address: 411 30th St., Suite 508, Oakland
Email: mail@charlottemaxwell.org
Phone: 510-601-7660
Cityteam
About: Cityteam provides food, shelter, clothing, training and spiritual transformation to address poverty and homelessness in San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland by caring for immediate needs and enabling lasting solutions.
Website: http://cityteam.org
Volunteer: We are a day shelter and we provide innovative solutions for spiritual transformation. Our commitment is to serve our neighbors through various forms of service throughout the day: CityTeam San Francisco https://cityteam.volunteerhub.com/lp/cityteamsanfrancisco
Address: 164 Sixth St., San Francisco
Phone: 888-248-9832
Coalition on Homelessness
About: Coalition on Homelessness advocates for permanent solutions to homelessness, while protecting the human rights of those on the streets.
Website: http://cohsf.org
Volunteer: Outreach to homeless people, research, policy development, writing for the organization’s newspaper, artwork and poetry, photography.
Address: 280 Turk St., San Francisco
Email: development@cohsf.org
Phone: 415-346-3740 ext. 303
COTS
About: We assist those experiencing homelessness in finding and keeping housing, increasing self-sufficiency, and improving well-being.
Website: http://www.cots.org
Volunteer: Many volunteer opportunities are at Mary’s Table, the kitchen at the Mary Isaak Center.Please contact our Engagement Specialist at volunteers@cots.org or (707) 765-6530 x136 for more information. Find other opportunites here: https://cots.org/volunteer/
Address: 900 Hopper St., Petaluma
Email: volunteers@cots.org
Phone: 707-765-6530, ext. 136
Community Action North Bay
About: Community Action North Bay provides housing, homeless prevention grants, food, clothing, case management, money management and other training.
Website: http://canbinc.org
Volunteer: Help with inventory; sorting and bagging food on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings; social support to housing clients; payee services; and help with clerical and bookkeeping duties.
Address: 416 Union Ave., Fairfield
Email: info@canbinc.org
Phone: 707-427-1148
Community Education Partnerships
About: Community Education Partnerships provides tutoring and mentoring to children who are experiencing, or have been affected by, homelessness and housing instability.
Website: http://cep.ngo
Volunteer: Weekly one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to PK-12 students an hour a week for six months. https://www.cep.ngo/volunteer.html
Address: 2909 McClure St., Oakland
Email: info@cep.ngo
Phone: 510-903-1063
Homerise
About: Homerise pairs affordable housing with resident and clinical support services, employment preparation, job training, a transitional employment social enterprise, and community organizing/resident engagement to create a pathway from homelessness to self-sufficiency.
Website: http://chp-sf.org
Volunteer: Volunteer opportunities for individuals and corporate groups include policy and program, assisting with fundraising and special events, and teaching resident classes. https://chp-sf.org/join-our-cause/#ways-to-give
Address: 20 Jones St. Suite 200, San Francisco
Email: volunteer@chp-sf.org
Phone: 415-852-5300
Community Services Agency
About: Community Services Agency provides a safety net for elderly, low-income and homeless residents of Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills. Services offered include transportation, nutrition services, shopping assistance and case management for seniors; food and emergency financial assistance for low-income people and comprehensive case management for homeless individuals and families.
Website: http://csacares.org
Volunteer: Food scarcity for our clients is growing while our volunteer force in the Food & Nutrition Center is shrinking. If you are not in a high-risk category (age 65+ and/or having an underlying health condition) and wish to help out, please contact our volunteer coordinator
Address: 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View
Email: lclark@csacares.org
Phone: 650-964-4630
Compass Family Services
About: Compass Family Services has been helping San Franciscans in need since 1914 and today offers a full range of direct services that help families that are homeless or at risk to achieve housing stability, economic self-sufficiency and family well-being. Services provided to over 6,000 homeless and at-risk children and parents each year include shelter, housing, childcare, behavioral health, early childhood education, and employment assistance. Of the families completing Compass housing programs, 88% achieve lasting housing stability.
Website: http://compass-sf.org
Volunteer: Volunteer to help families during the COVID-19 crisis through tutoring, organizing resources, helping with food deliveries, reaching out to landlords and more here: https://www.compass-sf.org/covid-19-ways-to-help
Address: 37 Grove St., San Francisco
Email: volunteer@compass-sf.org
Phone: 415-644-0504, ext. 1112
Contra Costa Crisis Center
About: Contra Costa Crisis Center provides telephone crisis counseling, suicide prevention services and referrals to community programs. Clients can call 211, or 800-833-2900 or text HOPE to 20121 to reach a crisis counselor 24 hours daily.
Website: http://crisis-center.org
Volunteer: Looking for crisis line, grief group facilitator, mobile grief response team, outreach ambassador, community projects, office maintenance volunteers. Also accepting volunteers for the COVID19 remote support project. All call center and grief volunteers must be 21 or older, and all volunteers will complete program-specific orientation and training, complete a background screening, agree to a volunteer term of one year, and adhere to our ethics and confidentiality policies.
Address: P.O. Box 3364, Walnut Creek
Email: admin@crisis-center.org
Phone: 925-939-1916
Covenant House California
About: Covenant House provides a safe haven from the hardships of homelessness. We recognize the fundamental worth of every human being, and create a safe setting where all youth – regardless of life experience or identity – are served without judgement.
Website: http://covenanthousecalifornia.org
Volunteer: Do you write, cook, dance, play an instrument or sports? Do you have administrative, design or organizational skills? Come share that passion with our young people! We need your help at Covenant House! Provide haircuts, teach gardening skills, host a tie-dye party or beach day for the youth.
Address: 200 Harrison St., Oakland
Email: cfutch@covca.org
Phone: 510-379-1010, ext. 1009
Curry Senior Center
About: For over 45 years, Curry Senior Center has been the only organization in San Francisco solely dedicated to helping low-income and homeless seniors through a holistic care approach.
Volunteer: Curry Senior Center regularly seeks volunteers with special skill who can contribute their time and talent. Examples of our needs include: Social media strategy creation, infographic development and creation, photography, marketing strategy, event planning, data analysis, etc.Join the Advisory Council. Due to COVID-19, in-person volunteering for lunch in the Dining Room has been suspended for the time being.
Address: 333 Turk St., San Francisco
Email: info@curryseniorcenter.org
Phone: 415-920-1351
Davis Street Resource Center
About: Davis Street Community Center is a federally qualified health center providing full medical, dental, vision, pediatric, behavioral health and women’s health services; quality affordable and subsidized child care at four child care centers; programs for individuals with developmental disabilities in San Leandro; and housing, utility assistance, referrals and emergency food and clothing assistance to residents of San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Ashland, Cherryland and Castro Valley.
Website: http://davisstreet.org
Volunteer: Volunteers in the basic needs and administration departments are needed.
Address: 3081 Teagarden St., San Leandro
Email: DSFRCInfo@davisstreet.org
Phone: 510-347-4620
Delivering Innovation in Supportive Housing (DISH)
About: Delivering Innovation in Supportive Housing provides permanent housing to people who have experienced long-term homelessness and who suffer from serious health issues.
Website: http://dishsf.org
Volunteer: Whether you are an organization, team or group looking for a one-time project or a recurring long-term impact, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about your ideas, our needs and how we can build a stronger community here at DISH!
Address: P.O. Box 427129, San Francisco
Email: info@dishsf.org
Phone: 415-776-3474
Destination: Home
About: We convene and collaborate with stakeholders across our community to advance strategies that address the root causes of homelessness and help ensure that our most vulnerable neighbors have a stable home. We embrace a data-driven and human approach to our work – advocating for policies, incubating new ideas and programs, and investing in strategies that reduce and prevent homelessness in our community.
Volunteer: Volunteer with the Housing Ready Communities initiative to take action for supportive housing and lowest-income affordable housing in Santa Clara County. Volunteers can learn effective messaging to debunk homelessness myths, respond to action alerts, speak out at community meetings, drive advocacy campaigns, facilitate neighborhood discussion, host house parties and recruit Action Network participants to scale impact.
Address: 3180 Newberry Drive Suite 200, San Jose
Email: N/A
Phone: 408-961-9895
Dolores Street Community Services
About: Dolores Street Community Services nurtures individual wellness and cultivates collective power among low-income and immigrant communities to create a more just society. Dolores Street has tremendous opportunities to both improve people’s lives on an individual level as well as affect broader social change by engaging in advocacy and community organizing efforts to address the root causes of suffering and injustice. We work on a wide range of issues—from homelessness to housing to immigration to employment.
Website: http://dscs.org
Volunteer: Volunteer as an on-the-job c-oach, sharing skills with a member leader of La Colectiva and Day Labor Program.
Address: 938 Valencia St., San Francisco
Email: N/A
Phone: 415-282-2826
Dorothy Day House
About: Dorothy Day House Berkeley is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that for over 30 years has provided meals, shelter, and employment for low income residents and people who experience homelessness in Berkeley, California.
Website: http://dorothydayhouseberkeley.org
Volunteer: Volunteer at the Horizon Transitional Village or Berkeley Community Resource Center or serve food at the community meals.
Address: 1931 Center St. Berkeley
Email: info@dorothydayhouse.org
Phone: 510-705-1325
Downtown Streets Team
About: Streets Team Enterprises (STE) is an employment social enterprise that provides supported employment opportunities for people impacted by homelessness, systemic trauma, and incarceration. STE Employees build skills on the job while making a fair wage.
Website: http://streetsteam.org
Volunteer: Volunteer on beautification projects or donate your time making Move-In and Employment kits.
Address: 65 Ninth St., San Francisco
Email: Raymond@streetsteam.org.
Phone: 408-899-7350
DrawBridge: An Arts Program for Homeless Children
About: DrawBridge offers free art programs for young people at shelters, affordable housing facilities and neighborhood community centers across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Website: http://drawbridge.org
Volunteer: Generally, we ask that you be at least 18 years old and willing to commit to 6 months of service. It is helpful if you have some experience working with children. Volunteers are matched to art groups depending on schedule, location and the needs of our groups. Most of our weekly groups occur for 2 hours on weekday evenings.
Address: P.O. Box 2698, San Rafael
Email: sarah@drawbridge.org.
Phone: 415-444-0930
East Oakland Collective
About: The East Oakland Collective is a member-based community organizing group invested in serving the communities of deep East Oakland by working towards racial and economic equity. With programming in civic engagement and leadership, economic empowerment and homeless services and solutions, we help amplify underserved communities from the ground up. We are committed to driving impact in the landscape, politics and economic climate of deep East Oakland.
Website: http://eastoaklandcollective.com
Volunteer: We are currently r using our office at 7800 MacArthur Blvd. as a resource and distribution hub. Health and safety concerns are a high priority and concern for our staff, members and the vulnerable communities we serve-- we are limiting the number of volunteers we engage. Packaging food and supplies (in office, socially distanced). Distributing food and supplies to curbside communities (requires having your own vehicle).
Address: Distribution Office: 7800 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
Phone: 510-990-0775
Ecumenical Hunger Program
About: EHP serves working families, seniors, people with limited incomes and those who have both emergency and on-going needs in East Palo Alto, Menlo Park and surrounding communities.
Website: http://ehpcares.org
Volunteer: Due to COVID-19, we are currently not accepting volunteers
Address: 2411 Pulgas Ave., East Palo Alto
Email: info@ehpcares.org
Phone: 650-323-7781
Eden I&R
About: Eden I&R is a critical resource for thousands of at-risk individuals, such as youth, non-English speakers, the economically disadvantaged, people living with HIV/AIDS, domestic violence survivors, the elderly, disabled, the homeless, and human service agencies seeking services or housing for their clients.
Website: http://edenir.org
Volunteer: Eden I&R's 2-1-1 program, an information and referral service for affordable housing andhuman services referrals, provides needs assessment and referral services to callers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and in multiple languages.
Address: 570 B St., Hayward
Email: info@edenir.org
Phone: 510-727-9565
Episcopal Community Services San Francisco
About: Episcopal Community Services has provided essential services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in San Francisco since 1983, utilizing a holistic approach that addresses the multiple causes leading to homelessness. This past year, we served more than 13,000 people, guided by our mission to help homeless and very low-income people every day and every night obtain the housing, jobs, shelter, and essential services each person needs to prevent and end homelessness.
Website: https://ecs-sf.org
Volunteer: Due to COVID-19, we are not offering in-person volunteering at our sites, however, there are still many ways individuals and groups can help our community. Create coloring and activity Books: Our participants need materials to keep them engaged while they remain indoors. Pull together and mail in activity books for people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness. You can create these books from online resources or by hand, if you have the ability. Create holiday cards for seniors and veterans. Fill cards with words of encouragement or decorate them how you see fit. This activity is perfect for volunteers of all ages and can be scaled for large groups. Hold a drive with your company, friends, or family to furnish our participants' greatest needs! Collect personal care products, art supplies, cleaning supplies, school supplies, and more.
Address: 165 Eighth St., San Francisco
Email: volunteer@ecs-sf.org
Phone: 415-487-3300
Family Supportive Housing
About: Family Supportive Housing helps homeless single- and two-parent families with children remain intact, while addressing their needs for food, shelter, employment and education. We offer families a respite, an opportunity to make life-altering changes, and a system to aid in finding permanent housing.
Website: http://familysupportivehousing.org
Volunteer: From young Scouts earning their merit badges to retirees sharing their wealth of knowledge, we have opportunities to fit all ages! Share important life skills. Facilitate an evening workshop for parents staying at our shelter. We offer workshops Monday through Thursday from 7-8 p.m. Help infants, preschool or school-aged children play and learn. Volunteer in our Voyager Child Development Center, homework enrichment program or evening child care program.Help our cook in the shelter’s kitchen, or help to serve a meal to families. We also welcome volunteers at our Clothes Closet, or to provide “On Call” support.
Address: 692 N. King Road, San Jose
Phone: 408-516-5116
Farming Hope
About: Farming Hope manages a garden-to-table job training program for formerly incarcerated or homeless San Franciscans. Our paid employment program helps adults transition to personal well-being and employment while nourishing food-insecure neighbors and rescuing food from landfill.
Website: http://farminghope.org
Volunteer: Whether you love food, care about sustainability, or simply want to learn while sharing your time, we welcome you to join us. OWe are currently recruiting volunteers for meal distribution, grocery bag packaging, and meal delivery.
Address: 1600 Bryant St. #410537, San Francisco
Email: rsf@farminghope.org
Phone: 415-580-1843
Food Runners
About: Food Runners picks up excess perishable and prepared food from businesses such as restaurants, caterers, bakeries, hospitals, event planners, corporate cafeterias, and hotels and delivers it directly to neighborhood food programs.
Website: http://foodrunners.org
Volunteer: Sign up now to become a Food Runner. Everyone is welcome! We ask you to volunteer for an hour a week. You can choose to become a "regular runner" or an "on-call runner".
Address: N/A
Email: dispatcher@foodrunners.org
Phone: 415-929-1866
Glide Foundation
About: Glide is a nationally recognized center for social justice, dedicated to fighting systemic injustices, creating pathways out of poverty and crisis, and transforming lives. Through our integrated comprehensive services, advocacy initiatives, and inclusive community, we empower individuals, families, and children to achieve stability and thrive.
Website: http://glide.org
Volunteer: Glide will be requiring volunteers working onsite to be fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated is defined as two full weeks after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or two full weeks after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson. Volunteers must be able to verify their fully vaccinated status. Volunteer through fundraising, holiday events, and virtural volunteering.
Address: 330 Ellis St., San Francisco
Email: volteam@glide.org
Phone: 415-674-6000
Haight Ashbury Food Program
About: HAFP's mission is to support the principle that freedom from hunger is a right, not a privilege. We exist to provide meals and referral services to those in need while fostering a sense of belonging and self-worth for all involved.
Website: https://hills.ccsf.edu/~eandrew6/foodprogram/whoweare.htm
Volunteer: The Haight Ashbury Food Program needs volunteers every Saturday to assist us with the operation of the food pantry. We can always use volunteers for special projects including: securing donations of non-perishable items, holiday items, or non-food items for distribution to our clients, fundraising, data entry and special events.
Address: P.O. Box 170202, San Francisco
Email: hafppantry@gmail.com
Phone: N/A
Hamilton Families
About: Hamilton Families is San Francisco’s leading service provider to families experiencing homelessness, with carefully designed programs to prevent homelessness, provide shelter and stability, return families to permanent housing, and support the well-being of children experiencing homelessness.
Website: http://hamiltonfamilies.org
Volunteer: To help end family homelessness, visit hamiltonfamilies.org.
Address: 273 Ninth St., San Francisco
Phone: 415-321-2612
The Healing Well
About: The Healing Well offers calm in the storms of poverty and prejudice, mental illness, substance abuse and addiction. Inspired by the ideals of compassion and justice, we love and guide one another so we can step into brighter futures, healing ourselves and our greater community.
Website: http://healingwellsf.org
Volunteer: Volunteer opportunities include leading holistic healing classes and facilitating support groups, preparing snacks and meals, helping with setup and cleanup, and administrative support. We could use help with special projects, too.
Address: 476 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Email: support@healingwellsf.org
Phone: 415-500-2099
HealthRight 360
About: HealthRight 360 gives hope, builds health, and changes lives for people in need. We do this by providing compassionate, integrated care that includes primary medical, mental health, substance use disorder treatment and re-entry services.
Website: http://healthright360.org
Volunteer: Available opportunities: practice interview volunteer, GED classroom tutor, front desk support, outreach health worker volunteer.
Address: 1563 Mission St, San Francisco
Email: volunteer@healthright360.org
Phone: 415-762-3700
Home & Hope
About: Home & Hope’s mission is to provide a safe haven for families facing homelessness and help them to regain long-term self-sufficiency. We seek to increase awareness around the issue of homelessness by actively engaging volunteers from the local community.
Website: https://www.homeandhope.net
Volunteer: Our opportunities are divided into four categories: set up and take down, dinner, evening activity, and overnight volunteers
Address: 1720 El Camino Real Suite 7, Burlingame
Email: info@homeandhope.net
Phone: 650-652-1103
HomeFirst
About: HomeFirst is a leading provider of services, shelter, and housing opportunities to the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Santa Clara County. We serve more than 5,000 adults, veterans, families, and youth each year at seven locations including our Boccardo Reception Center, which is the county’s largest homeless services center.
Website: http://homefirstscc.org
Volunteer: While our volunteer program is currently suspended due to COVID-19. How about hosting a socially distanced donation drive? Click here for some quick tips on how to make your drive a success: https://79b0f1bb-5b3c-43b9-b931-3228f5ecbb96.filesusr.com/ugd/c906c3_bc9e56c7fbd04235b8c984cb56c36ed6.pdf
Address: 507 Valley Way, Milpitas
Email: info@homefirstscc.org
Phone: 408-539-2100
Homeless Action Center
About: The Homeless Action Center provides no-cost, barrier-free, culturally sensitive legal representation that makes it possible for homeless individuals to access the maze of social safety net programs that provide a pathway out of homelessness. Through HAC’s legal assistance, clients obtain health care, housing, a sustainable income and restored dignity.
Website: http://homelessactioncenter.org
Volunteer: The Homeless Action Center is looking for pro-bono attorneys. Training and support is provided by our staff. Interns and externs.
Address: 3126 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; 2601 San Pablo Ave., Oakland
Homeless Children's Network
About: HCN works to decrease the impact of trauma and to empower families. Our comprehensive clinical services enable us to work closely with each family to understand their needs and to connect them to resources here or through other providers.
Website: http://hcnkids.org
Volunteer: Our volunteer opportunities for individuals change with the season. Please reach out and let us know your availability, we would love to have you as part of our extended community.
Address: 3450 Third St., Building 1, Unit 1C, San Francisco
Email: N/A
Phone: 415-437-3990
Homeward Bound of Marin
About: Homeward Bound of Marin operates the only emergency shelter for homeless families in Marin County, which is the entry point for our Family Services Program. It also operates five supportive-housing programs for families, including a new site called Oma Village in Novato.
Website: http://hbofm.org
Volunteer: Make and deliver homemade meals for families and individuals. Lead outdoor/patio activities such as puppet theater plays, music concerts, classes, etc.
Address: 1385 N. Hamilton Parkway, Novato
Email: arey@hbofm.org
Phone: 415-382-3363, ext. 212
Hope Solutions
About: Hope Solutions heals the effects of poverty and homelessness by providing permanent housing solutions and vital support services to highly vulnerable families and individuals.
Website: https://www.hopesolutions.org/
Volunteer: Holiday parties for Homework Club students and/or residents. Provide and Serve a meal for the Garden Park apartment residents in Pleasant Hill, After School Homework Club,
Address: 399 Taylor Blvd., Ste. 115, Pleasant Hill
Email: info@hopesolutions.org
Phone: 925-944-2244
The Housing Industry Foundation (HIF)
About: HIF creates direct and immediate impact with a focus on homelessness prevention for families in need through emergency financial support, access to affordable housing and the renovation of community shelters and transitional living homes.
Website: http://hifinfo.org
Volunteer: For volunteer opportunities, please contact Arlene: arlene@hifinfo.org
Address: Sobrato Center for Nonprofits, 3460, W Bayshore Fwy Suite 101, Palo Alto
Email: arlene@hifinfo.org
Phone: 650-437-2980
La Casa de las Madres
About: The mission of La Casa de las Madres is to respond to calls for help from domestic violence victims, of all ages, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We give survivors the tools to transform their lives. We seek to prevent future violence by educating the community and by redefining public perceptions about domestic violence.
Website: http://lacasa.org
Volunteer: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most individual volunteer activity is on pause. Please check back here for updates on our volunteer program and when we’ll be offering our next 40-hour Domestic Violence Advocate Training.
Address: 1269 Howard St., San Francisco
Email: comed@lacasa.org
Phone: 415-503-0500
La Familia
About: La Familia provides linguistically and culturally responsive mental health services for people in Hayward. La Familia offers emergency, transitional and permanent housing and other supportive services for families experiencing homelessness through a recent merger with the Family Emergency Shelter Coalition (FESCO).
Website: www.lafamiliacounseling.org
Volunteer: Work directly with youth and adult participants, share out services at community outreach opportunities, support office and administrative work, provide research and data review, advocating in the community. We are currently holding a campaign called Give FESCO Five. Instead of buying a cup of coffee, we are asking that you donate that money or more if they chose, to help children in need. All new donations will be matched by a generous donor. Donations can be mailed to our office at 21455 Birch St. #5 Hayward 94541 or through our website at Givefescofive.org.
Address: 21455 Birch St., Box 5, Hayward
Phone: 510-886-5473
LavaMae
About: LavaMae is a nonprofit that teaches people around the world to bring mobile showers and other services that promote well-being to people experiencing homelessness. We also deliver services on the streets of San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles, where our Radical Hospitality approach—meeting people wherever they are with extraordinary care—helps restore dignity, rekindle optimism and fuel a sense of opportunity.
Website: www.lavamaex.org
Volunteer: We have two opportunities where you can make a difference: mobile lygiene and pop-up care villages.
Address: 1701 Monarch St, Suite 200, Alameda
Email: info@lavamaex.org
Phone: 415-872-6950
La Voz Latina
About: Here at La Voz our goal is to create an impact in the Tenderloin through creating a familiar space among people within the community. By offering monthly and weekly programs, a variety of needs can be met and tools can be given to promote healthier, safer, and more responsible living.
Website: http://lavozlatinasf.org
Volunteer: Contact La Voz Latina for current volunteer opportunities.
Address: 456 Ellis St., San Francisco
Email: N/A
Phone: 415-983-3970
Larkin Street Youth Services
About: Larkin Street Youth Services helps youths ages 12-24 to exit homelessness. The organization provides services including outreach and engagement, housing, education, employment and health programs.
Website: http://larkinstreetyouth.org
Volunteer: We are working on new opportunities for the upcoming year. We look forward to welcoming volunteers back onsite and are hoping the following in-person activities can resume in the fall. Reach out to volunteer@larkinstreetyouth.org to schedule a volunteer opportunity today.
Address: 134 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco
Phone: 415-673-0911
Life Learning Academy
About: Life Learning Academy is a public charter high school serving Bay Area students who haven’t been successful in other schools.
Website: http://www.lifelearningacademysf.org/
Volunteer: Work on campus beautification projects, advisory consulting, board service and more.
Address: 651 Eighth St., Treasure Island, San Francisco
Email: cblazer@llasf.org
Phone: 415-397-8957
LifeMoves
About: LifeMoves provides interim housing and supportive services for homeless families and individuals to rapidly return to stable housing and achieve long-term self-sufficiency.
Website: http://lifemoves.org
Volunteer: Work directly with clients and children, help to improve facility spaces for clients or help with advocating and education.
Address: 181 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park
Email: kfinnigan@lifemoves.org
Phone: 650-685-5880
Loved Twice
About: We’re a registered nonprofit charity clothing newborns in need with quality reused baby clothing for the first year of life -one of life’s basic necessities. We collect gently-used baby clothes, sort these precious garments into boy and girl wardrobes-in-a-box, and distribute them exclusively through social workers in hospitals, shelters, and clinics. Ours is a simple solution that supports disadvantaged babies while reusing thousands of onesies, swaddling blankets, and babywear that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Website: http://lovedtwice.org
Volunteer: Do you work at a company that donates to a nonprofit if you volunteer? We are looking for creative ways to help babies AND raise funds right now. We have baby clothes in storage (untouched for months) that need to be sorted. Can you sort at home and log your volunteer hours? We know amazing companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google, et offer this. Please email info@lovedtwice.org if you can help.
Address: 5627 Telegraph Ave., Suite 375, Oakland
Email: info@lovedtwice.org
Phone: 510-652-BABY
LSS of Northern California
About: LSS is not only guiding individuals and families out of homelessness and into stability in San Francisco, but is helping nearly 200 very low- income and vulnerable seniors remain in their increasingly costly homes through our LSS Support for Seniors program.
Website: http://lssnorcal.org
Volunteer: In San Francisco, weekly assistance is welcome to package items from the food bank for delivery or resident pick up at five housing sites
Address: 191 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco
Email: development@lssnorcal.org
Phone: (415) 581-0891
Martin de Porres House of Hospitality
About: Martin’s, as it is affectionately known, is a free restaurant, serving breakfast and lunch during the week and brunch on Sundays. Our mission is to serve in the spirit of compassion, understanding and love.
Website: http://martindeporres.org
Volunteer: Help in the kitchen any day.
Address: 225 Potrero Ave., San Francisco
Email: info@martindeporres.org
Phone: 415-552-0240
Mercy Housing California
About: Mercy Housing California provides low-income housing programs for families, seniors and people with special needs.
Volunteer: Volunteers are needed during regular business hours to help with distributing at food pantries, hosting supply drives, birthday in a box kits, and providing event and administrative support.
Address: 1256 Market St., San Francisco
Email: info@mercyhousing.org
Phone: 916-330-3356
Miracle Messages
About: We help unhoused neighbors rebuild their social support systems, primarily through family reunifications, a phone-based buddy system, and direct cash transfers. Our services are available anywhere.
Website: http://miraclemessages.org
Volunteer: Be matched with an unhoused resident for weekly phone calls and texts: miraclefriends.org. Become a miracle messenger (in-person role) to record messages or a digital detective (remote role) to help locate loved ones online and deliver messages as part of our Case Solving Community. Sign up at miraclemessages.org/getinvolved.
Address: 865 Market St., San Francisco
Email: hello@miraclemessages.org
Phone: 1-800-MISS-YOU
Monument Crisis Center
About: Monument Crisis Center is a family resource center that serves central and eastern Contra Costa County.
Website: http://monumentcrisiscenter.org
Volunteer: Sorting, packing and helping with regular grocery distributions; Resource & Referral/Health & Wellness Program: client intake, front desk reception, general administration, teaching (ESL, yoga, Tai Chi, health classes); Youth Programs: tutoring and mentoring; Senior Programs: food distribution and senior connectivity, Community Engagement: hosting food and toiletries drives.
Address: 1990 Market St., Concord
Phone: 925-825-7751
North Beach Citizens
About: North Beach Citizens is a nonprofit homeless resource center.
Volunteer: Host a fundraiser, assist on one of our main board committees, serve the community through volunteering during our food pantry.
Address: 1034 Kearny St., San Francisco
Email: info@northbeachcitizens.org
Phone: 415-772-0918
Oakland Elizabeth House
About: Our mission is to support women and children transition to independence by creating and maintaining a nurturing, cooperative living environment that provides hospitality, resources, and respect.
Website: http://oakehouse.org
Volunteer: Whether you can volunteer once a week, once a month, or once a year, you can enhance and expand the work in a variety of ways, including tutoring, childcare, cooking, office assistant, grocery shopping, special event planners, and others.
Address: 6423 Colby St., Oakland
Email: oakehouse@oakehouse.org
Phone: 510-658-1380
PRC
About: PRC (formerly Positive Resource Center) has been transforming the Bay Area for decades, helping those affected by HIV/AIDS, substance use, or mental health issues realize their best selves by providing the support and services they need to reclaim their lives.
Website: http://prcsf.org
Volunteer: PRC still depends heavily on individuals like you to make our services available to the community. There are many areas where we may need your assistance, including in the administrative office, project support, and special events. We also have a limited number of six-month volunteer client service positions for qualified candidates with PRC Emergency Financial Assistance.
Address: 170 Ninth St., San Francisco
Email: info@prcsf.org
Phone: 415-777-0333
Project Homeless Connect
About: Project Homeless Connect strengthens and utilizes collaborations with city agencies, businesses, organizations, and the community to provide comprehensive services through Community Day of Service events and in house continued care for those who are at risk of becoming homeless, are currently experiencing homelessness, or are transitioning from homelessness to housing.
Website: http://projecthomelessconnect.org
Volunteer: All of our regularly scheduled volunteer opportunities are located within San Francisco. We are thrilled to have you join us again for street-based outreach walks, hygiene kit packing, admin support, and more.
Address: 1031 Franklin St., San Francisco
Phone: 415-851-0428
Raphael House
About: The mission of Raphael House is to help low-income families and families experiencing homelessness strengthen family bonds by achieving stable housing and financial independence.
Website: http://raphaelhouse.org
Volunteer: Our on-site volunteer activities are currently postponed during the current public health emergency. Volunteer remotely: Organize a donation drive for needed items, Organize an online fundraiser, Offer your remote services pro bono, Schedule a Lunch & Learn presentation, Create a short video presentation for children or adults
Address: 1065 Sutter St., San Francisco
Email: ksarver@raphaelhouse.org
Phone: 415.345.7265
Ritter Center
About: Our mission is to prevent homelessness and improve the health and well-being of individuals and families who are homeless or low-income by providing a range of culturally sensitive, easily accessible, high quality medical care and social services.
Website: http://rittercenter.org
Volunteer: We have opportunities for volunteers to work directly with our clients in our food pantry, as well as helping with fundraising, outreach, and general administrative tasks. During COVID we have new health and safety protocols in place for all volunteers who come to Ritter Center with new opportunities to volunteer remotely.
Address: 16 Ritter St., San Rafael
Email: N/A
Phone: 415-457-8182 x109
Rubicon Programs
About: We equip and empower our participants to develop the economic mobility to move out of poverty. No one service can address the many challenges people living in poverty face — success comes from participation and achievement in four areas: Assets, Income, Wellness, and Connections.
Website: http://rubiconprograms.org
Volunteer: Tax prep workshop (training will be provided).
Address: 2500 Bissell Ave., Richmond
Email: N/A
Phone: 510-235-1516
Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments
About: We believe that every person has the right to live in peace. Every day we provide shelter, support, and educational opportunities for individuals and families so they may end the cycle of abuse, heal, and have the freedom to reach their potential.
Website: http://save-dv.org
Volunteer: Volunteers must complete 40 hours of training to become a domestic violence advocate. For more information go to http://save-dv.org/you-can-help/volunteer.
Address: 1900 Mowry Ave. Suite 201, Fremont
Email: info@save-dv.org
Phone: 510-574-2250
Safe Time Host
About: We are a volunteer organization that recognizes the potential of human kindness and the space available in underutilized homes.
Website: http://safetimehost.org
Volunteer: If you have one or more unused rooms in your house or apartment, you can volunteer as a Safe Time host. We will present a well-vetted, safe, and compatible client for you to read about, meet, and then welcome as your temporary guest.
Address: N/A
Email: info@safetimehost.org
Phone: 510-524-5525
Samaritan House
About: Samaritan House is the largest truck-to-table food distribution agency in San Mateo County. Other free services include financial assistance; shelter and housing assistance; free medical and dental clinics; free clothing, shoes and backpacks with school supplies for children; personalized case management; and more.
Website: http://samaritanhousesanmateo.org
Volunteer: Chop vegetables in our kitchen. Sort clothing at our Kids Closet. ¿Puedes ayudar como traductor? If you have a medical or dental background, you can help at one of our two medical clinics.
Address: 4031 Pacific Blvd., San Mateo
Phone: 650-347-3648
San Francisco-Marin Food Bank
About: San Francisco-Marin Food Bank's mission is to end hunger in San Francisco and Marin through its pantry network, home-delivered grocery program, nutrition-education classes and CalFresh enrollment.
Website: http://sfmfoodbank.org
Volunteer: Volunteer at a pop-up or partner pantry, in the warehouse, providing bilingual support or delivering fresh groceries.
Address: 900 Pennsylvania Ave., San Francisco; 2550 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael
Email: info@sfmfoodbank.org
Phone: 415-282-1900
San Francisco Night Ministry
About: Since 1964, SF Night Ministry has walked the streets and operated a telephone counseling line in the middle of the night, every night of the year, providing compassionate, non-judgmental, non-proselytizing, inter/multi-faith spiritual and emotional care and referral services to anyone in need.
Website: https://sfnightministry.org
Volunteer: Many of our volunteer opportunities can be done from your own home. We are building out the SF Night Ministry. We can use just about any skill supporting our beloved nonprofit ministry with a renewed mission and purpose.
Address: 1031 Franklin St., San Francisco
Phone: 415-935-7862
Shelter Inc.
About: Shelter Inc. provides low-income and homeless families and individuals with housing and resources they need to become self-sufficient.
Website: http://shelterinc.org
Volunteer: Provide and serve meals at the emergency family shelter in Martinez. To sign up, please go to www.signupgenius.com/go/409044badad2fa3fd0-provide.
Address: 1333 Willow Pass Road, Suite 206, Concord
Email: shelter@shelterinc.org
Phone: 925-335-0698
Shepherd's Gate
About: Shepherd’s Gate is a Christian nonprofit that offers a long-term program tailored to the needs of woman and children that are suffering from homelessness, domestic violence and addiction. Programs include job-skills training, financial education, addiction recovery classes, nutrition and health lessons, parenting classes, nursery and after school programs, and case management
Website: http://shepherdsgate.org
Volunteer: Year-round volunteers needed for child care, administration, and facility maintenance. Campuses in Brentwood and Livermore.
Address: 1660 Portola Ave., Livermore
Email: jgandara@shepherdsgate.org
Phone: 925-443-4283
Simply the Basics
About: The Mission of Simply the Basics is to provide for people, communities, and nonprofit organizations their most basic needs with Dignity so that they can focus on greater goals.
Website: http://simplythebasics.org
Volunteer: Volunteers of one to 100 people at any location can volunteer with Simply the Basics. Other activities include hosting a hygiene drive or becoming an ambassador. Contact Simply the Basics to learn more.
Address: P.O. Box 591453, San Francisco
Email: admin@simplythebasics.org
Phone: N/A
Social Advocates for Youth
About: Social Advocates for Youth offers short-term, emergency and affordable housing as well as mental health counseling and career-readiness programs to Sonoma County’s vulnerable and at-risk youth.
Website: http://saysc.org
Volunteer: We are in critical need of prepared meals for youth utilizing our shelter. These youth are working to stabilize their lives, and we are supporting them in their efforts, including providing basic necessities like a warm meal and a safe, comfortable place to sleep. We are currently requesting prepared meals to feed 20 youth. To sign up for a Dream Center meal delivery, please visit: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/z99lod
Address: 2447 Summerfield Road, Santa Rosa
Email: N/A
Phone: 707-544-3299
Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
About: Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County offers shelter, food and support to people in need. Our community center and service centers (offering showers and laundry) have also reopened.
Website: http://svdp-alameda.org
Volunteer: Assist in the dining room/kitchen, at the help desk and more.
Address: 2272 San Pablo Ave., Oakland
Email: volunteer@svdp-alameda.org
Phone: 510-638-7600
Sonoma County Homeless Action!
About: Homeless Action! Sonoma County is an all-volunteer run and the only local independent homeless advocacy organization in Sonoma County which is not beholden to funders. We are responsible only to the homeless people in our community. Our members, both housed and unsheltered, have life experiences that bring passion and dedication to our work.
Website: http://homelessaction.net
Volunteer: We need volunteers to be involved in many tasks from facilitating weekly meetings, information research, homeless outreach, website maintenance, email list and social media administration, cooking, food preparation, delivery, and a various office tasks.
Address: c/o Peace & Justice Center of Sonoma County 467 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa
Email: info@homelessaction.net
Phone: 707-742-3733
St. Anthony Foundation
About: St. Anthony’s provides meals, medical care, clothing, shelter, addiction recovery services, job training, social services and technology access to people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Website: http://stanthonysf.org/volunteer
Volunteer: Sign up for volunteer shifts here: https://www.stanthonysf.org/shifts/ Do you have technology skills that you’d like to share with our guests? We’re currently looking for individual tutors and guest associates for the Tech Lab.*Please note that we require all volunteers coming on-site to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (last shot was given two weeks prior to shift).
Address: 150 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco
Email: volunteer@stanthonysf.org
Phone: 415-241-2600
St. Joseph's Family Center
About: St. Joseph's Family Center operates a large food distribution pantry and hot meal program.
Website: http://stjosephsgilroy.org
Volunteer: Help with pantry operations and hot meal prep and serving, office intake and special events.
Address: 7950 Church St. Suite A, Gilroy
Email: vickym@stjosephsgilroy.org
Phone: 408-842-6662
St. Mary's Center
About: St. Mary's Center is a community of hope, justice, and healing serving Seniors and Preschool Families in West Oakland. We support Seniors (55 years and up) to become and remain housed through transitional housing, navigation, case management and social services. Our Community Center hosts a daily hot lunch and frequent social/recreational activities. Preschool offers full-day childcare and Head Start.
Website: http://stmaryscenter.org
Volunteer: www.stmaryscenter.org to volunteer or get involved.
Address: 925 Brockhurst St., Oakland
Phone: 510-923-9600
St. Vincent de Paul Society
About: The St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco was established in 1860 on a simple principle: assist those who need help the most. Whether it be through financial support, emotional or spiritual guidance, or by providing basic necessities such as food and shelter, we strive to offer our clients with a sense of hope during their darkest hours.
Website: https://svdp-sf.org/
Volunteer: Volunteer at the Division Circle Navigation Center In Memory of Brian Quinn, The Riley Center for Survivors of Domestic Violence, and the Multi-Service Center South Homeless Shelter.
Address: 1175 Howard St., San Francisco
Email: n/a
Phone: 415-977-1270
Stand! For Families Free of Violence
About: Stand! provides prevention, intervention and treatment programs to stop domestic violence in Contra Costa.
Website: http://standffov.org
Volunteer: Provide peer counseling on the crisis line, support children's activities in the emergency shelter, become a speaker’s bureau community advocate, support administrative projects.
Address: 1410 Danzig Place, Concord
Email: volunteer@standffov.org
Phone: For programs/services: 888-215-5555; for volunteer opportunities: 925-603-0175
Sunnyvale Community Services
About: Sunnyvale Community Services is an independent, nonprofit emergency assistance agency in the heart of Silicon Valley. SCS’s mission is to prevent homelessness and hunger in our local community. SCS is designated as one of seven Emergency Assistance Network agencies who together are the safety net in Santa Clara County. Our agency assists residents in Sunnyvale and the neighboring Alviso community in San Jose, as well as homeless people throughout Santa Clara County.
Website: http://svcommunityservices.org
Volunteer: We have limited on-site volunteering.Please note that proof of vaccination is required.
Address: 725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale
Phone: 408.738.4321 ext. 246
Swords to Plowshares
About: Swords to Plowshares helps build self-sufficiency for veterans in need, particularly those who are homeless or living in poverty.
Website: http://swords-to-plowshares.org
Volunteer: Various opportunities available; please contact for details.
Address: 1060 Howard St., San Francisco; 2719 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Email: n/a
Phone: 415-252-4788, 510-844-7500
Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp.
About: TNDC develops community and provides affordable housing and services for people with low incomes in the Tenderloin and throughout San Francisco to promote equitable access to opportunity and resources.
Website: http://tndc.org
Volunteer: Volunteering is currently on hold. If you'd like updates, please fill out the volunteer form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf01Wm-h4OEO8K4I
Address: 201 Eddy St., San Francisco
Email: info@tndc.org
Phone: 415.776.2151
The Gubbio Project
About: Every day the Gubbio Project provides our houseless guests with daily provisions, supplies, and chaplaincy necessary for those living on the streets.
Website: http://thegubbioproject.org
Volunteer: Most volunteers work in our sanctuaries as assistant hospitality monitors, where our guests rest and sleep. Volunteers may also accompany our guests as servers in our breakfast program, by preparing or handing out lunches at the close of our day, or through help with periodic mailings and special events. We will work with you to find a match for your availability and interests.
Address: 1661 15th St., San Francisco
Phone: 415-861-5848
The Living Room
About: The Living Room operates as transitional housing for women and children. (Daily services aren't open at the moment).
Website: http://thelivingroomsc.org
Volunteer: Help with the kitchen team, distribution team, garden team, maintenence and repair, or special service projects.
Address: 328 S. E St., Santa Rosa
Email: info@thelivingroomsc.org
Phone: 707-579-0138
The Salvation Army
About: The Salvation Army, a human services faith-based organization, helps to mitigate poverty through practical support, spiritual comfort and a holistic, critical safety net to people in need.
Website: http://sanfrancisco.salvationarmy.org
Volunteer: Volunteers will serve the homeless, work with seniors, do seasonal events, participate in afterschool programs.
Address: 4000 19th Ave, San Francisco
Email: n/a
Phone: 415-585-8877
Trinity Center
About: Trinity Center serves homeless and working poor adults in Walnut Creek. Services are offered from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and include providing food, breakfast and hot lunch, showers and laundry, clothing, mail and telephone access, group activities, referral services, and help with benefit applications. They operate an overnight winter shelter (Evening Program) for Trinity Center members every night from December through March.
Website: http://trinitycenterwc.org
Volunteer: We provide a vital public health benefit and are focused on the Day Shelter Critical Needs Program. As a result of COVID-19, many of our volunteer opportunities are being re-evaluated. We will soon be offering new, meaningful opportunities to join our mission.
Address: 1888 Trinity Ave., Walnut Creek
Email: info@trinitycenterwc.org
Phone: 925-949-8712
Tri-Valley Haven
About: Tri-Valley Haven is a leading provider of safety-net services in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore. The Haven works to create sustainable solutions to homelessness and hunger through thrift store, shelter and food pantry services for low-income families and individuals.
Website: http://trivalleyhaven.org
Volunteer: Thrift store volunteers sort donations, organize displays and provide customer service. Food pantry volunteers stock shelves, rotate food, create food bags and assist staff with food pickups.
Address: 3663 Pacific Ave., Livermore
Email: shadab@trivalleyhaven.org
Phone: 925-449-5845, ext. 2711
Urban Angels SF
About: Urban Angels SF works to sustain the unhoused of San Francisco while they are in transition from living on the streets to safe permanent housing. Their volunteers deliver food, water, clothing and supplies such as face masks and hand sanitizer, and help guests access essential services. They also support homeless children with donations of school supplies and toys.
Website: https://www.urbanangelssf.org/
Volunteer: Go out on angel runs, coordinate programs, or support administration and operations.
Address: 5228 Diamond Heights Blvd., San Francisco
Email: nb3@UrbanAngelsSF.org
Phone: 415-952-0711
Wardrobe for Opportunity
About: Wardrobe for Opportunity helps low-income people find and keep jobs and build careers.
Website: http://wardrobe.org
Volunteer: Stylists, donation sorters, fundraising committee members, data entry and build-a-career mentors needed.
Address: 570 14th St. Suite 5, Oakland
Email: kimberly@wardrobe.org
Phone: 510-463-4100, ext. 216
WeHope
About: WeHope is an emergency shelter for unhoused, homeless and at-risk adults in East Palo Alto and surrounding San Mateo County and Santa Clara County communities. This organization also operates a Safe RV Parking Program in Palo Alto as well as Dignity on Wheels, a mobile hygiene unit. Dignity on Wheels serves San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Alameda County and San Francisco providing showers, laundry facilities, restrooms and case management.
Website: http://wehope.org
Volunteer: Help with client dinners, laundry, fundraising events and more.
Address: 1854 Bay Road, East Palo Alto
Email: n/a
Phone: 650-330-8000
Welcome Home Project
About: At the Welcome Home Project, we know that all families need more than just a roof over their heads to turn a house into a home. We help San Francisco-based homeless families who are transitioning into permanent housing through an innovative collaboration between the San Francisco Association of Realtors Foundation, local nonprofit organizations, government agencies and the business community.
Website: http://welcomehomesf.org
Volunteer: Contact the Welcome Home Project to learn about volunteer opportunities.
Address: 301 Grove St., San Francisco
Email: foundation@sfrealtors.com
Phone: 415-431-8500, Ext.1125
West Valley Community Services
About: West Valley Community Services, Inc. is a non-profit, community-based agency that has been providing direct assistance and referral services to the west valley communities of Santa Clara County for over 45 years.
Website: http://wvcommunityservices.org
Volunteer: Sorting food and serving clients in the food pantry, helping to check in clients at the front desk, picking up donations of food from partner grocery stores, providing administrative or IT support, planting or harvesting vegetables in the Community Garden, serving as an interpreter for clients during case management sessions, driving adults 55+ as part of the RYDE program, supporting fundraising and community events, helping at special events such as the annual Back to School Clothing Program, Thanksgiving Food Baskets and Holiday Gift Program.
Address: 10104 Vista Drive, Cupertino
Phone: 408-255-8033 x303
Winter Nights Shelter
About: We protect homeless families by providing shelter in a clean, safe, and warm environment and help families break the homelessness cycle by assisting them toward self-sufficiency and into stable housing.
Website: https://cccwinternights.org
Volunteer: Volunteers provide meals and homework help, read with children, go on outings, make crafts, play games or other activities.
Address: 404 Gregory Lane #7, Pleasant Hill
Email: info@cccwinternights.org
Phone: 925-414-3883