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County of Santa Clara Awards Proceeds from Sale of Children’s Shelter to Local Nonprofits

County of Santa Clara Awards Proceeds from Sale of Children’s Shelter to Local Nonprofits

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF.—Today, the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors awarded
$1 million in proceeds from the sale of the former County’s Children Shelter to two local nonprofit organizations – Rebekah Children’s Services and Bill Wilson Center in support of their demonstrated history of providing services to vulnerable area youth.  The awards were made possible because Senator Jim Beall authored legislation that allowed the County to retain the funding it had received under Proposition 86 towards the cost of building the Children’s Shelter.  The caveat was that the funds were to be used towards housing for youth.  

"How a society treats its children -- whether they are rich or poor, orphaned or neglected -- is a hallmark of its values. Santa Clara County's re-purposing of its $1 million grant received under Proposition 86 to build more housing for homeless youth is a testament to our community's keen understanding that its legacy is its children,” said Senator Jim Beall, D-San Jose. “I am very glad to have played a part in this worthwhile cause by securing the grant through SB 347.''

On May 13, 2014, the County engaged the services of the Housing Trust of Silicon Valley (HTSV) to reach out to potential grant applicants for the Homeless and Runaway Youth Capital Facilities Grant Program. The HTSV coordinated outreach, review and evaluation of proposals and recommended the two organizations. 

“It is gratifying to have funds from the sale of the Children’s Shelter used to locally to upgrade facilities for homeless youth,” said Supervisor Ken Yeager, District 4.  “Having a place to call home supports these youngsters to live stable lives, often in the face of great difficulty.”

These capital facilities funds are a combination of small grants and 10-year forgivable loans tied to annual performance.  The small grants covers furniture and fixtures such as the replacement of 25 worn and damaged beds in use since the early 1990s at Rebekah Children’s Services and a secure fencing structure at Bill Wilson Center.  Major expenditures will cover facility rehabilitation and renovation, and are to be funded by forgivable loans of which a one-tenth portion will be forgiven each year the facilities continue to operate.  

“Every year Bill Wilson Center serves over 300 homeless teens with the goal of reuniting teens with their families,” said Sparky Harlan, Executive Director, Bill Wilson Center.  “The rehab monies awarded by the reallocated state funds will provide a much needed face-lift to our 20- year-old homeless youth shelter. We are grateful for the County's support in helping us prepare to serve homeless youth for many years into the future.”  

“Providing shelter for local children is the best outcome possible for these funds,” said Supervisor Mike Wasserman, District 1.  “From Palo Alto to Gilroy, hundreds of homeless and orphaned children will benefit by receiving needed housing and support services.”

The award to Bill Wilson Center will cover a number of renovations, including replacing a broken central air system, building new bathrooms, and adding sturdy new furniture. 

"Rebekah Children's Services is extremely grateful and honored to be the recipient of the 2015 grant from Housing Trust Silicon Valley,” said Executive Director Christophe Rebboah.  “This generous grant of $395,000, underwrites the renovation of our Residential Group Home Cottages which serves our most vulnerable children and youth who are in desperate need of shelter, mental health services and individualized care within the Santa Clara County.  It is on their behalf that we humbly accept this grant, so that Rebekah Children's Services can continue to meet the social, emotional and physical well-being of all children and youth we are privileged to serve."

“This is an example of what is possible when the stakeholders at every level are involved,” said Kevin Zwick, Chief Executive Officer Housing Trust of Silicon Valley. “Our concerted efforts result in a win for our children.”

 

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Media Contact: Gwendolyn Mitchell Laurel Anderson, Office of Public Affairs, 408-299-5119; Sandra Murillo, Housing Trust Silicon Valley, (408) 436-3450, ext. 228

Posted: May 19, 2015