Community volunteers working on a grassroots vision to establish
the Compassion Center, a year-round homeless shelter that could be
potentially located at 8425 Monterey St, say things are moving
along.
Community volunteers working on a grassroots vision to establish the Compassion Center, a year-round homeless shelter that could be potentially located at 8425 Monterey St, say things are moving along.
“A lot of people are inquiring. I hear from a lot of people who say, ‘this is a good thing,’ ” said Jan Bernstein-Chargin, board president for the project.
In the past weeks, Bernstein-Chargin says project leaders have formed a board of volunteers, opened an account with the Gilroy Foundation, secured a P.O. Box, set up a Facebook page and “cause,” filed articles of incorporation with the State of California and registered the domain names gilroycompassioncenter.org and gccsoco.org. The latter isn’t live yet but will be soon, she said.
The facility would target chronic homelessness in Gilroy by getting people back on their feet and on the road to becoming stable, contributing members of society, Bernstein-Chargin explained. It would offer a centralized resource office called a One-Stop Center staffed with case managers and representatives from various social agencies.
Board members are now in the process of forming an independent, nonprofit corporation, writing their bylaws, business plan, securing insurance and forming volunteer committees on fundraising, marketing, programs, operations, facilities, construction and administration.
Bernstein Chargin said they’re tentatively planning an event for July 20, which will include providing one-stop services and gathering information from the homeless in South County regarding their needs.
Those wishing to donate may do so through the Gilroy Foundation. Visit gilroyfoundation.org or call 842-3727. To get involved with the Compassion Center, email gi********************@***oo.com.
