InnVision/Urban Ministry, now InnVision the Way Home (has absorbed Urban Ministries of Palo Alto , “UMPA” in 2006) - http://www.innvision.org FINANCED
974 Willow Street
San Jose, CA 95125
Phone: 408-292-4286
InnVision/Urban Ministry, now InnVision the Way Home (has absorbed Urban Ministries of Palo Alto , “UMPA” in 2006) - http://www.innvision.org FINANCED
Founded in 1973, InnVision got its start when members of nine downtown San Jose churches became alarmed that more and more people were sleeping in downtown doorways. Determined to help, they formed the San Jose Urban Ministry – now InnVision – and started handing out blankets, dishing up hot food and making housing referrals.
InnVision the Way Home is dedicated to empowering homeless and at-risk families and individuals in “finding the way home,” by offering various levels of housing and day programs in a safe and supportive environment that promotes self-worth and independent living. InnVision addresses the multiple needs of people in transition, including emergency shelters, transitional/supportive housing, food, clothing, showers, laundry, healthcare, job training, classes, children's programs and access to telephones and computers. The InnVision approach to break the cycle of homelessness is innovative and comprehensive and it has earned a Charity Navigator 4-star rating.
InnVision the Way Home is now the Silicon Valley’s leading provider of housing and services for homeless families and individuals. We are a non-profit corporation with an annual budget of $11 million, over 100 dedicated staff members, more than 2,000 volunteers, and 35+ years of success stories. InnVision programs reach throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, at 20 different sites, serving more than 16,000 men, women, children and mentally ill adults each year.
InnVision programs in the Palo Alto area are:
1. Opportunity Center
33 Encina Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
650-853-8672
88 units of permanent/supportive housing for families and single adults.
MultiService Drop-In
Bredt Family Center - services specifically for families - both resident & non-resident. These services include adult education classes and workshops, child development activities, computer/Internet access, health care, case management, and information and referral.
Adult Services Center - Day services for single men & women, includes basic needs, case management, assistance with CA ID/DLs. M-F, 8 am - 4pm.
Food Closet - 425 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, 650-325-3663
Open Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 3:30pm
Distribution of canned goods, fresh produce, dairy products and bread to very low-income residents of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, & Menlo Park.
Family Harvest - Monthly grocery distribution for families, 2nd Wed ea. month, 5 - 7pm. Registration required, 650-853-8672.
Opportunity Health Center, a Free health clinic. By appointment only.
650-853-0321, http://www.opportunityhealthcenter.org
2. Breaking Bread & Hotel de Zink (both 650-853-8672, both former activities of Urban Ministry of Palo Alto, "UMPA")
Emergency Shelter - A 15-bed rotating-shelter, hosted by Palo Alto area faith communities.
Hot meals - Served daily at Palo Alto faith communities (every Tuesday evening at Grace Lutheran) and some Saturday noons at Covenant Presbyterian (involving Grace youth volunteers). In this past year, over 500,000 hot meals and over 165,000 nights of housing were provided.
3. Clothes Closet (former UMPA) Distributes free clothing, sleeping bags, backpacks, shoes, winter gear, and toiletries. Wed, 11 am - 3 pm. 650-853-0321
4. Clara-Mateo Alliance (CMA) and Elsa Segovia Center
Both at 795 Willow Road, Building 323D, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (On grounds of PA VA Hospital)650-853-7066
The Clara-Mateo Alliance (CMA) provides safe shelter and structured, supportive programs for homeless individuals, couples, and families from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties and the surrounding communities. For both families and singles, there is a 90-day emergency shelter program (60 beds), as well as six-months of transitional housing (6 units) for those who have stabilized, potentially have found work. Aside from providing emergency shelter and transitional housing, meals, & case management, CMA offers a wide range of supportive services: information & referral, housing search assistance, 12-step programs, and ongoing support to maintain self-sufficiency.
For residents, the shelter helps with obtaining an income, arranging for disability payments or pension moneys, counseling for alcohol & drug abuse, along with our primary mission of providing support in obtaining stable/permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
The Elsa Segovia Center (ESC) is a one-stop day service center resource for homeless and low-income women, children and families, located at the same site, and offering laundry facilities, showers, meals, food, clothing, and access to many other support services. It opened in January 2002 in honor of Elsa Segovia, a homeless immigrant from Ecuador who died in January 2000 at the age of 64 in a hit-and-run accident after 20 years of life on mid-peninsula streets. Although homeless, Elsa was involved in her community through her church and lived a self-sufficient, productive life.
The center also provides classes for parents, activities for children, free dental & health care, and a range of support services including counseling, budget-management training, ESL classes, nutrition classes, physical fitness groups, 12-step support groups, and other services, all offered in collaboration by local agencies.
To support clients in seeking employment the center has a computer lab for updating resumes, a job-placement service, The Clothes Closet with outfits suitable for job interviews (as well as seasonal clothing) and an Image Center where clients can get manicures, pedicures and haircuts. The Image Center is staffed with volunteer cosmetology students from the College of San Mateo. Such services help boost self-esteem and un-stigmatize the homeless population.
Nonprofit agencies such as Mayview Health Clinic and El Centro de Libertad have offices in the health-care department, offering mental-health counseling, family therapy, alcohol and drug counseling, and domestic violence classes.
The Family Room resembles a spacious nursery school with a play area, a reading corner, and tables for children to do artwork or have a snack. A playground is located right outside.