Fund for Homeless Women Awards $144,000

The Fund for Homeless Women of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) awarded $144,000 to seven faith-based and nonprofit organizations in December. Grants will support direct emergency assistance to homeless women as well as meals, support services, temporary shelter and transitional housing. The amount awarded was $50,000 more than originally anticipated due to the groundswell of support the fund is receiving from community members.

The fall 2014 Fund for Homeless Women grantees are: Cathedral of San Carlos on behalf of the Gathering Place, Community Human Services, Interim, Inc., Pass the Word Ministry, Shelter Outreach Plus, St. Mary’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, and St. Vincent DePaul on behalf of Outreach Unlimited.

These grants are in addition to the $50,500 distributed in the spring which helped establish the One Starfish Safe Parking Program as well as the Gathering Place for Women at San Carlos Cathedral. The Gathering place, operated by Loaves and Fishes Ministry volunteers, provides a safe environment and hot lunch for women who are homeless on the Monterey Peninsula. Attendance ranges from 50-90 women to receive meals and support and there is a waiting list for volunteers.

The Friends of Homeless Women group of committed volunteers meets regularly and is working to build the fund with community support

Those interested in joining the group can contact Michael Reid at, (831) 915-7799 or email reidcdsp@yahoo.com. Those wishing to support the Fund for Homeless Women can donate securely online at www.cfmco.org/fhw.

This field of interest fund of the CFMC was established in 2012 to support programs and services for homeless women in Monterey County. The fund’s initial grants are focused on increasing access to shelter and safety for women who are homeless and in danger of harm each night on the Monterey Peninsula.

Fund for Homeless Women Fall 2014 Grantees:

Community Human Services: $2,000
For emergency assistance (vehicle repairs, education, health services) for young homeless women through CHS’s Safe Place Program in downtown Monterey

Interim, Inc.: $15,000
For transitional housing and mental/support services

Pass the Word Ministry: $5,500
To expand existing supportive services including rental assistance and shared transitional housing

San Carlos Cathedral, Loaves & Fishes Ministry: $46,000
To support the “Gathering Place for Women” to provide a safe environment, emergency assistance, hot lunch and case management for homeless women in Monterey

Shelter Outreach Plus: $50,000
Transitional housing and day program along with transportation assistance in Marina

St. Mary’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church: $5,000
For emergency assistance (motel lodging, bus and train tickets, auto repair) for single homeless women in Pacific Grove

St. Vincent de Paul (on behalf of Outreach Unlimited): $21,000
For the I-HELP program to provide temporary shelter

Total Granted: $144,000