Family Support Center

For the past fifteen years, First United Methodist Church has sponsored a room at the Family Support Center. This has involved maintaining the appearance of the room, through painting of walls, or furniture when needed, replacing mattresses, blankets, pillows as necessary and seeing that each member in the room receives a personal Christmas gift during the holidays.

The Family Support Center is a Multi-service Shelter for Children and their Families.  The Center is the largest homeless shelter of its kind between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oregon border. Located in Santa Rosa at 465 A Street, it serves as a safe, temporary home for children and their families. Up to 130 people are served each day.

To address the issues, that cause homelessness due to “crisis” poverty, shelter residents are offered a comprehensive approach to help change their lives: assessment, goal setting, counseling and a set of critical services and supportive activities.

On-site Services include Resource advocates, assigned to specific clients, work as case manager to encourage and assist with job readiness, employment searches, housing applications, training program, saving accounts, and a variety of linkages to community services.

Evening childcare is provided by volunteers, so parents can pursue classes, training and support groups.

Coach 2 Career is a job development and life skills program for homeless adults. After the program coordinator assesses job readiness and facilitates computer training, volunteer mentors guide self-motivated clients during their difficult quest to launch a career path with good pay and benefits.

The on-site Health Clinic, open twice weekly, is available to the public as well as residents. This resource is vital to protect the health of residents and the community.

The Sunflower Gardens, a community garden, thrives through the care and labor of residents, neighbors and the Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks. The garden provides seedlings to parks throughout Santa Rosa, a source of pride for shelter residents. Food and flowers are donated to the shelter and other homeless programs.

First United Methodist Church is proud to be a sponsor of the Family Support Center.