History
While researching areas of active, meaningful involvement in their community, several members of the BayMarin Community Church in Marin County, California, found that there were more than 1,200 homeless children living in their county! The majority of these children were under the care of a single mother. The year was 1997, and the number of homeless children and their moms has increased each year.
After many months of research, planning and fund-raising, Gilead House became a reality.The name Gilead actually refers to a region in ancient Israel which was famous for its production of a healing ointment known as "The Balm of Gilead." This area was also set aside as a place of refuge and healing. The name seemed to describe perfectly the home that was being offered to the families in need. Rather than an institutional setting, a rented four-bedroom house in the hills of Novato was chosen to provide a home in a ‘normal’ neighborhood that was safe, clean and warm: the first step toward the positive self-image needed by the mothers and their children. It has been the first real home environment that some of the kids have ever known!
The first three families moved into Gilead House in October of 1999. Since that time our Board, Executive Director, Family Advocate, House Manager, Mentors and countless volunteers worked tirelessly to fine-tune the program which enables our resident families to strive for stability, both economic and personal. To date we have served almost sixty women as well as their children and have seen dramatic changes in individual lives. Our network of church, business and individual partners has grown dynamically over the years and lends support through generous gifts of time, money and talent.
The year 2009 will be a milestone in the history of Gilead House as we embark on the construction of our own home in a downtown Novato neighborhood! Our new facility will allow us to serve six families at a time. To read more about our plans click here.