Fresh Start is a respite and service center for those who are among the homeless and at risk of becoming homeless. In addition, Fresh Start serves both the unemployed and the working poor. The beauty of Fresh Start is that everyone is equal and all are respected.
·Phones that can be used to search for housing & jobs, scheduling of medical appointments & reconnecting with family
·Three showers
·Washer & dryer
·Personalized case management
·A living room for visiting, and two rooms and an outside area for communal meals
·Clothing
·Advocacy and assistance in accessing county, state and federal benefits
·Legal Clinic
·Medical Clinic
·HIV Testing
·Job Seekers Assistance
·Alice’s Garden (providing fruits and vegetables for our lunches)
·Food Pantry (primarily canned foods)
Non-Shelter Amelioration: Living outside is difficult. We provide tents, sleeping bags, tarps, water, food, and other items necessary to keep people healthy and warm while living outside. Police agencies tell us that our work in this area lessens the impact of homelessness on the community and cuts down on petty theft.
Advocacy/Legal Action: In defense of the constitutional rights of homeless Americans, especially pertaining to those situated in encampments. This includes assistance relating to the completion of claims versus governmental agencies for the illegal taking and destruction of the private property of those who find themselves homeless.
Court-Mandated/Community Service: Participants are able to perform volunteer service at Fresh Start in lieu of jail times for many court-related issues. This service is designed for the individual and may include NA/AA meetings, literacy classes, living skills, and budget management, or anger management classes, if needed.
Union Dues: We assist out of work former union members to reconnect with their unions. We will assist with the payment of back union dues and related costs (e.g., tools, work boots, and transportation).
Kids in School: Keeping homeless children in school by advocating on their behalf with the school district to make certain state laws/guidelines that apply to homeless children are followed. We also assist with school supplies, books, field trips and school clothes.
Independent Living: Several participants who received section 8 vouchers or who live in subsidized housing could not live independently without substantial support services. We provide those services.
Major Services:
·Legal Assessment Workshop (quarterly)
·Legal Clinic (quarterly)
·Medical Clinic (weekly)
·HIV Testing (monthly)
·Employee Counseling and Employer Contacts
·Transportation Services
·Optical Assistance
In the years we have been in operation, it has become apparent that one of the major reasons for the success of Fresh Start is our consistency in providing services. Participants say that they “do not have to tell their story over and over again to strangers, dredging up a lot of pain in order to get help.” No one is “blamed”; nor are participants judged.
We thank you for taking the time to become acquainted with Fresh Start.
Fresh Start lives due to the friendship and support of many people in our community and through the generosity of others who support our work and the manner in which it is conducted.
Thanks to our many supporters* and the generosity of San Francisco Radio Station KGO Thanksgiving Charities Drive and grantors (especially, St. Paul’s Episcopal Walnut Creek)
*private donors, grantors, unions, churches, corporations, Car Donation Services, and, of course, Creek Kids Care.
