HomeFirst

Thank you for recognizing HomeFirst alongside these incredible organizations committed to addressing homelessness. We're honored to be part of such a dedicated community working to support our unhoused neighbors in the Bay Area. Together, we’re taking strides towards ending homelessness and making a real impact!

A few days ago, a new volunteer hosted a cooking workshop at one of our interim housing sites! 🌮🌯 Our participants learned how to make tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. These cooking workshops aren't just about delicious meals—they're therapeutic too, fostering community bonding and boosting confidence. 🍴💖 DM or email us at volunteer@homefirstscc.org if you're interested in hosting a workshop of your own! #VolunteerImpact #Community #CookingWorkshop

Kelly Vazquez, Chief Program Officer, was named 40 Under 40 by SVBJ! Since 2014, Kelly has been an integral driving force within HomeFirst. She worked her way up through the ranks, starting in frontline services as a Case Manager and progressing to Program Manager (2015), Director of Veteran Services (2017), Vice President of Permanent Housing (2021), and now Chief Program Officer (2022). Kelly's logic, data, and evidence-based practices drive her strategic decision-making. She is always focused on the North Star of ending homelessness while never losing sight of the human element of homeless services. Congratulations, Kelly!

Last week, HomeFirst staff attended the 2024 National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Washington, D.C., hosted by the National Alliance to End Homelessness.   The days were packed with focused workshops and conversations on research, data, legislation, and post-Grants Pass planning. The plenaries were overflowing with inspiration from speakers like Dr. Kwane Stewart, Helen Cruz, and Jawanza James Williams. Thanks to the National Alliance to End Homelessness for creating a learning and connecting environment. #NAEH2024 #EndHomelessness

How to make cool of a HOT situation - Ice Cream! Last Thursday, two of our interim housing sites hosted ice cream parties for our participants! It offered a nice break from the climbing temps and a chance to socialize. Comment below if you have more fun ideas or activities to do in this hot Bay Area weather! #IceCreamParty #SummerFun #BeattheHeat 

🌟 Reflecting on a year of impact! 🌟FY2024 was a journey of growth and achievement across our Santa Clara and Sonoma County programs. Check out this small snapshot of our many accomplishments! Each milestone represents a stride in the direction of ending homelessness. Thank you to our incredible team and community for making it all possible! #FY2024Recap #CommunityImpact #SantaClaraCounty #SonomaCounty

#HeatAdvisory #StayHydrated #StayCool #CoolingCenters #SonomaCounty

Join us in celebrating the incredible journey of Dameca Bailey, who is marking 12 wonderful years with HomeFirst! Dameca's story is one of dedication and passion, beginning as a temporary SSVF outreach employee and growing into her current role as our esteemed Director of Housing Stabilization. With a BA in Social Work, Dameca's bright personality and genuine care for our unhoused neighbors have touched countless lives. Over her 12 years at HomeFirst, she has pushed herself to embrace challenges, ask insightful questions, speak at conferences, and explore new departments, always striving to make a positive impact. Dameca also serves on HomeFirst’s DEI Council and received the council’s inaugural Emerging Leader Award in 2023, truly embodying the DEI principles central to our agency's mission. In addition to her work with the DEI Council, Dameca is one of the co-leads for HomeFirst's Professional Development ERG. This role highlights her dedication to empowering the future leaders of our company. Congratulations on 12 years, Dameca! Your remarkable success and rise through the ranks serve as an inspiration to us all. We are incredibly fortunate to have you as part of the team!

Many of our outreach staff worked through their weekend, braving extreme temperatures to ensure the safety of the unhoused community. Our team checked on individuals in encampments, especially the most vulnerable, distributed water, handed out heat safety cards sharing the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, provided information on cooling stations, and transported people to those locations. We're incredibly proud of their commitment to the community we serve! #HeatWaveResponse #CommunitySupport #StaySafe #StayCool

While tomorrow marks Independence Day and our admin offices will be closed, our shelters and interim housing sites operate around the clock, 365 days a year. Many of our dedicated team members will work through the holiday, reflecting their unwavering commitment to ending homelessness and ensuring uninterrupted support for those in need. #EndHomelessness