Site to rotate with St. Joseph’s, Twin Towers
It’s cold outside, and many people who are homeless need a warm place to sleep, a bite to eat, and a cleansing shower. Alameda’s Warming Shelter opens today, Friday, December 15, at Christ Episcopal Church (Christ Church), and will remain open nightly from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m., with space available on a first-come, first served basis.
The shelter, will provides meals and showers as well, and will rotate locations with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Twin Towers United Methodist Church, according to the following schedule:
- Christ Episcopal Church, 1700 Santa Clara Avenue: December 15 – 26, 2023; January 7 – February 18, 2024; March 3 – 15, 2024.
- St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1109 Chestnut Street: December 27, 2023 – January 6, 2024.
- Twin Towers United Methodist Church, 1411 Oak Street: February 19 – March 2, 2024.
Community effort
The shelters are a community effort, both in terms of donations and volunteer help. Episcopal Community Services provides overnight staff, the City provides two-thirds of the funding required to keep it going, Christ Church raises the remaining one-third of the funding from donations and coordinates meals and showers. Next Level Painting prepped the shelter at no cost.
Monetary donations are welcome and appreciated as well. You may donate online (select “Give to Homeless Ministries”) or mail a donation to Homeless Ministries, Christ Episcopal Church, 1700 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda, CA 94501
Volunteers help provide dinners and breakfast bags for Warming Shelter guests. It’s a popular effort during the Christmas season, but slots are available after the holiday. Sign up here to get involved.
Volunteers are also needed to operate showers from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Fresh socks, underwear, and other amenities are available. Well-behaved pets are welcome. Limited onsite storage of belongings while showering is provided.
Shower volunteers are needed to help check in guests, offer clothing and toiletries, and monitor shower time. To sign up, contact [email protected]. Frequently used supplies are also needed. Click here for supplies list.
The shelter isn’t open during lunch hours, but breakfast and lunch are provided at The Village of Love at 431 Stardust Place. The Village of Love offers a warm, safe, welcoming, and accepting space to relax inside during the day. In addition to breakfast and lunch, hot coffee and beverages are provided, along with snacks, free Wi-Fi access, computers and phones to use, TV and movies.
Christ Church offered thanks to all who have supported the warming shelter, including Alameda Welfare Council, Bank of Marin, Alameda Family Services, Chris Tam & All Good Living, Alameda Food Bank, Kelly Scott, Village of Love, Joey Harrison, Alameda CARES team, St. Vincent DePaul Society, St. Joseph’s Basilica, Twin Towers United Methodist Church, Building Futures/Rainbow Laundry Program, Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter, Alameda Meals on Wheels, Share Pizza Kitchen, Peets Coffee, and World Centric.
Homeless Hotline
If you are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, call the Alameda Homeless Hotline at 510-522-HOME (4663) Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the evening or on weekends, call 2-1-1 to access resources county-wide.
