MISSION & HISTORY

The mission of Building Futures with Women and Children is to help women and children in crisis become safely and supportively housed, free from homelessness and family violence.

Building Futures was originally created as an overnight winter relief shelter, known as San Leandro Emergency Shelter, at St. Leander's Catholic Church in 1986. In 1988, the organization incorporated as a non-profit organization, completed the renovation of its 30-bed emergency shelter, and renamed it San Leandro Shelter.

In 1996, BFWC opened Sister Me Home, a nine-bed domestic violence safe house in San Leandro. The same year, a no-cost lease was awarded for property at the former Alameda Naval Air Station. Two years later, the capital campaign began for Bessie Coleman Court, 52-units of housing on site.

In 2000, the safe house was increased to its present 20-bed capacity, and the 24-hour, toll-free crisis line was launched. In recognition of the expanded services of organization, the new name of Building Futures with Women and Children was adopted.

In 2001, BFWC took over the management of the reopened 25-bed Midway Homeless Shelter, Alameda's only homeless shelter. In July of the same year, Bessie Coleman Court broke ground.

Eight months later, in March 2002 Bessie Coleman Court opened its doors to its first residents.

In November 2009, BFWC was named the lead agency for the newly created Mid-County Housing Resource Center in San Leandro. The HRC is dedicated to providing the resources necessary to prevent homelessness and provide rapid rehousing for those who do not have it.

Through the years, Building Futures Women and Children has developed a broad range of emergency and support services to Alameda County's most at-risk-families - battered women and their children. Building Futures does not refuse services to any woman because her problems are too difficult or her chances too slim for achieving self-sufficiency.

For more information on our programs, see:
Homeless Services
Domestic Violence
Housing Services

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