Building Futures with Women and Children

Housing programs - Building Futures' housing services include bessie coleman court, a 52-unit permanent supportive housing Community for formally chronically homeless survivors of domestic violence. All residents living at bessie coleman court receive case management and access to a range of services including support groups, Community gatherings, clothing and household items, and life skills training. Building Futures also runs rapid rehousing subsidies and wraparound services to literally homeless families. The housing Community support program assists chronically homeless individuals connected with housing with tenancy support services including assistance with goal planning, budgeting, connection to and maintanance of services, relationships with landlords, transportation, self-advicacy, and connection to mental health services, benefits, income, and health care. In fy2020-21, Building Futures' housing programs served 1,125 people (627 households).

Domestic violence services a spectrum of services including a 20-bed domestic violence shelter where residents receive shelter, food, counseling, case management, referrals to housing programs, Community and mainstream benefits and services, primary dental, medical, and mental health care; financial literacy, and personalized advocacy and assistance. Residents also receive meals, shower and laundry facilities, and 24/7 staffing to ensure safety. The agency also provides a 24-hour domestic violence crisis line and Community outreach services including safety planning, counseling, support groups, court accompaniment, education, and other needed services. Twice annually, the agency delivers the California 40-hour domestic violence counselor training. Services to dv survivors also include connection to Building Futures' domestic violence coordinated entry access point and housing program. In 2021-22, sister me home domestic violence shelter served 71 Women and 61 Children. 154 domestic violence survivors participated in support groups, and over 50 Community members were trained as domestic violence counselors.

Homeless services Building Futures operates two emergency shelters for Women and Children experiencing homelessness: the 30-bed san leandro shelter, and the 25-bed midway shelter. Participants are connected to the shelters through alameda county's coordinated entry system. Services include shelter, case management, referrals to housing programs, Community and mainstream benefits and services, primary dental, medical and mental health care, financial literacy, and personalized advocacy and assistance. Residents also receive meals, shower and laundry facilities, and 24/7 staffing to ensure their safety. In fy 2021-22, the two shelters provided 347 Women and Children (148 housholds) with 12,433 bednights. The agency also operates winter warming shelters in alameda and san leandro, providing overnight shelter and two meals. Street outreach programs in alameda, san leandro, and oakland connect people in need to one a housing resource center, where they are provided with housing problem solving, crisis assessment, and enrollment in one of Building Futures' coordinated entry system access points in san leandro, alameda, or oakland.

Other services: Building Futures serves as fiscal sponsor to the interfaith homeless network/aprilshowers. The group provides services to people experiencing homelessness on the first, third and fifth sunday of each month. The april showers event provides a welcoming safe place to receive showers, new underwear and socks, a hot lunch, coffee and pastries, clothing, a bag lunch and bottled water, haircuts, and referrals and information for health care, social services, housing, jobs, and transportation.