• 408.738.4321
  • 725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA
  • DONORS
    • How to Donate
    • SCS Donation Wish List
    • Planned Gifts & Bequests
    • School Supplies & Backpacks
    • Holiday Campaign
    • Donation Drives
    • Downloads
  • VOLUNTEERS
    • Volunteer Overview
    • Adult Individuals
    • Adult Groups
    • Students 16+
    • Community Leader Program
    • Other Ways to Get Involved
    • Volunteer Sign Up
    • Donation Drives
    • Downloads
  • GET HELP
    • Need Help?
    • Client Services
    • Food Aid
    • Financial Support
    • Backpacks
    • Holiday Center
    • Downtown Streets Team
    • Alviso Residents
    • Downloads
  • ABOUT
    • EVENTS
      • Events Overview
      • Holiday Boutique
      • Annual Auction
      • SCS Open House
    • DIRECTOR’S CORNER
      • Blog
      • Resources & Reports
    • MEDIA
      • SCS in the News
      • Newsletters
      • Videos
      • Downloads
    • ABOUT US
      • Our Services
      • SCS Leadership Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Major Donors
      • Employment Opportunities
      • Financials
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Success Stories
  • 408.738.4321
  • 725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA

GIVE

en English
zh-TW Chinese (Traditional)en Englishtl Filipinoru Russianes Spanishvi Vietnamese

Director’s Corner

 

From Homeless to Hopeful

November 1, 2015

Two years ago, Patrick and Sandra had to move out of their Sunnyvale apartment when the rent went up more than 25 percent. For a while they tried staying in motels, but that was also too expensive, so eventually they set up camp in a local park in Sunnyvale. They officially became homeless on their wedding anniversary. “I served two tours of duty in the Air Force. I never thought my wife and I would be homeless,” said Patrick.

Patrick and Sandra had been living in the park for a month when Sunnyvale Community Services’ Case Manager David Hernandez approached them. Gradually, Patrick and Sandra trusted our staff. SCS provided food and sleeping bags and secured a motel voucher funded by Santa Clara County during the cold weather. With secure shelter, SCS helped the couple work on their goals to find stable housing. SCS linked them with Downtown Streets Team (DST). With DST helping the couple manage their appointments, SCS helped the couple find an affordable home. At every step, Patrick and Sandra consistently followed up with their case managers, filled out applications, went to meetings, and did everything they needed to do to secure an income and find a permanent home.

“I served two tours of duty in the Air Force. I never thought my wife and I would be homeless.”

Thanks to Patrick’s veteran status, SCS enrolled the couple in the new Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program funded by the Veterans Administration. SCS staff was with them when they signed their lease and walked over the threshold of their new home.

Patrick and Sandra are still active with SCS. The couple signed up for the senior food program and “Challenge Diabetes,” a wrap-around program through a partnership with El Camino Hospital District and Second Harvest Food Bank that helps people like Patrick prevent or manage diabetes.

Now that Patrick and Sandra have a home, they are doing what they can to give back. “Now it’s time for me to help others—it’s their turn now—people who are just like me who need a little help,” he said.

We are grateful to the community for your continued support and generosity.


Marie Bernard
Executive Director, Sunnyvale Community Services

Director’s Corner

  • How well did you sleep last night?
  • Broadening our Support, Inside & Out
  • Everyday Disasters
  • On the Streets Where We Live
  • It’s Hard to Learn When You’re Hungry…
  • We Are All Part of the Safety Net
  • From Homeless to Hopeful
  • No Child Dreams of Being Homeless…
  • Tough Choices
  • Raising Sunnyvale’s Bottom Line!
  • What Recovery?
  • Povery that Spans the Generations
  • Getting Real
  • From Head to Toe
  • One in Four are at Risk of Hunger
Resources & Reports
CONTACT INFO

725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
info@svcommunityservices.org
Main: 408.738.4321

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday
9:00 - 11:30 AM | 1:00 - 4:00 PM

DONATION HOURS

Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
1st / 3rd Saturdays: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Please bring your donation to the side (warehouse) door. If it is not open, please ring the bell and someone will come and open the door.

Important: Please note that we do not accept used items, or packaged food donations that are opened or past their expiration date. Thank you!

SCS
Wish List

Sign Up
to Volunteer!

Join Our
Email List

SCS
Annual Report

Who We Are

badges-charityNav
badges-guideStar
badges-greatNonprofits
badges-calNonprofits

Founded in 1970, Sunnyvale Community Services is an independent, nonprofit emergency assistance agency. Our mission is to prevent homelessness and hunger in our local community. We provide financial aid, food, and other support that prevents larger problems with more expensive solutions.

Donors

  • How to Donate
  • SCS Donation Wish List
  • Planned Gifts & Bequests
  • School Supplies & Backpacks
  • Holiday Campaign
  • Donation Drives

Volunteers

  • Volunteer Overview
  • Adult Individuals
  • Adult Groups
  • Students 16+
  • Community Leader Program
  • Other Ways to Get Involved
  • Volunteer Sign Up

Get Help

  • Need Help?
  • Client Services
  • Food Aid
  • Financial Support
  • Backpacks
  • Holiday Center
  • Downtown Streets Team
  • Alviso Residents

EVENTS

  • Events Overview
  • Holiday Boutique
  • Annual Auction
  • SCS Open House

About SCS

  • About Us
  • Our Services
  • SCS Leadership Team
  • Board of Directors
  • Major Donors
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Financials
  • Awards & Recognition
  • Success Stories

MEDIA

  • SCS in the News
  • Newsletters
  • Videos
  • Downloads
  • DIRECTOR’S CORNER
    • Blog
    • Resources & Reports

Contact Info

725 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
T: 408.738.4321 | F: 408.738.1125
info@svcommunityservices.org
donate@svcommunityservices.org
volunteer@svcommunityservices.org

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 11:30 AM  |  12:30 PM - 4:00 PM

Donation Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
1st / 3rd Saturdays: 9:00 AM - Noon

Connect with us

BoD Resources   |   Legal   |   © 2017 Sunnyvale Community Services. All rights reserved.   |   Site design : Bright Bird Creative

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy