You Can Make A Difference
Even with the second highest median income in the state, many in Marin County are just a paycheck away from homelessness. As recently as 2005, Marin had at least 1,236 homeless people; approximately half were women. Can you imagine if you were one of these women desperate to turn her life around only to be left on the streets with your children?
Gilead House has been a successful transitional residential home in Marin since 1999. We have assisted over 35 mothers as well as their children with a supportive living environment, mentoring, and individual attention to gain stability and promote self-sufficiency. The children have benefitted from the nurturing, safe environment as their mothers learned skills essential to building successful lives for their families. Families that had been broken and desperate are returning to their community with hope and pride in their ability to navigate life using the skills gained during their year at Gilead House.
As every household does, Gilead House has a long list of budgetary needs. You can make a difference in the lives of our families by giving a tax-deductible donation to Gilead House today. Your support allows us to provide housing, food, transportation and Life Skills teachers.
We encourage you to consider the following options for support:
• A one-time donation
• A monthly donation for one calendar year
• A monthly donation for three calendar years
• Matching funds through your employer
• Donation to the Capital Campaign
• Donation to the Transportation Fund
Transportation Fund
Reliable transportation is an issue for ninety-five percent of the women who have been in our program. In order to meet the requirement of having employment, the moms must have a way to reach their jobs. The Gilead House Transportation Fund was established to help reduce the stress and anxiety caused by the cost of the seemingly constant need for car repairs, missed car payments and the need for basic transportation, i.e. bus, rail. The fund exists to help alleviate, not eliminate, the transportation problems. This means that the fund was not established to outright purchase cars as a gift for the moms, but to help Gilead House in its role as educator and compassionate helper for these women in need. The monies are used with caution as well as care in helping the women to help themselves.
It is possible to designate your donation to Gilead House
for use specifically by the Transportation fund.
A Difference By Volunteering...
Positions/Time Commitments
Mentoring a Mom
For many reasons, only women are accepted for this position. We ask that the mentors are able to be available for their moms at least one hour a week, have short conferences with the Family Advocate on a regular basis and participate in the educational/support meeting once a month.
Fundraising
This is an "as needed" position. The hours required will be determined by the volunteer's availability and Gilead House's current need.
Writing (newsletter & grants)
All with experience are welcome in this position. There is an ongoing need for grant writing. Help with the newsletter can be on a one-time basis or ongoing, depending on the volunteer's availability.
Prayer Team
The Prayer Team opportunities are available for those who would like to meet with the team on the third Monday of each month and those who would like to participate through email contact.
Tutoring
There are often needs for tutoring for the children and for the moms. There would be a time commitment of an hour per week for an agreed upon period of time.
Nutritionist
There are several opportunities for a volunteer nutritionist: as a Life Skills teacher on a one-time (hour) or on-going basis; and as a counselor for the families who have health issues or need lifestyle adjustments.
Credit Counseling
This is an ongoing need for many of the residents and could be a one-time advice opportunity for a Life Skills class or multiple sessions with an individual. Getting credit problems resolved is a very important part of our program.
Legal Advice
Many of the residents come to us with legal issues that need to be resolved in order for them to move forward. The time commitment would be based on the individual's need and the volunteer's availability.
House Repairs
This position is definitely on an 'as needed' basis! Just with any house, almost every skill is needed from time to time. You could be a real life-saver in this volunteer position.
Financial Mentoring
Most of the women who come to Gilead House need some form of financial education; many have never had a bank account or credit card and have no idea what a monthly budget is. This could be a one-time, one hour volunteer opportunity for a Life Skills class or an on-going position with an individual.
Babysitting
There are numerous opportunities for babysitting: in the evening during the weekly Life Skills classes, a Saturday morning for quarterly educational workshops, and other sporadic events. This is a great way for middle and high school kids to get Community Service hours!
Life Skills Teachers
The Life Skills classes provide the broadest opportunity for those who would like to volunteer an hour of their time on a one-time basis or an on-going basis. We need those who can teach everything from sewing on a button to changing the oil in your car! Methods of de-stressing make for great classes as do parenting skills and budgeting tips. Be creative!