GRACE SOLUTIONS
Creating a healing community
GRACE SOLUTIONS
AT A GLANCE
Grace Solutions is committed to providing help to the unhoused in our community with respect, dignity and compassion. Our services include emergency and interim shelter, meals and showers in a welcoming family like atmosphere.
OUR STORY
Grace Solutions operates out of Grace Baptist Church, who has served the unhoused and the most vulnerable of our community for decades.
After establishing a full capacity emergency winter shelter program in 2016 and in addition a smaller year long shelter in 2017, the next logical step was to form a separate non profit in order to maintain and expand services.
Grace Solutions, a separate entity from Grace Baptist, became a 501c3 in late 2017. We have since been able to expand our shelter and reopen our drop in shower program.
With additional funding, we hope to open a clothes closet and hire a social worker to serve our guests and those in need.
PROGRAMS
WINTER SHELTER
Saving lives in cold rainy weather
From Jan.-April we provide temporary emergency shelter for up to 50 men and women, totaling over 250 individuals annually. Guests stay overnight, receive a hot dinner, breakfast, bag lunch and a shower.
HOPE PROGRAM
One Step at a Time
During Summer and Fall our HOPE Program serves up to 30 unhoused individuals, providing temporary interim shelter and a 1:1 mentor who helps support the guests' own life plan. Goals such as stable housing, financial stability, personal well-being, job searching and empowerment training are covered.
DAILY DROP-IN SHOWER PROGRAM
For guests and all unhoused
Showers are available for guests and for anyone who lives on the streets, in their cars, or those with housing but without showers.
We are currently near completion of a massive renovation that will greatly expand our shower services and will include laundry. A mobile shower truck has been used in the interim.
POSITIVE OUTCOMES
WINTER SHELTER
With 82% unsheltered in Santa Clara county (the highest in the nation) and with the annual death rate of the unhoused dramatically increasing each year, we
* are literally saving lives
* are in our 7th season and have served over 2000 unduplicated guests
* ensure that staff and guests work in collaboration with each other, rather than from a place of hierarchy
HOPE PROGRAM
The majority of our guests are able to
* find a higher paying job
* find housing
* receive better medical care
* reconnect with family
* create a greater level of stability
Key to this is by matching a community partner to accompany the HOPE guest in their pursuits.
DAILY DROP-IN SHOWER PROGRAM
Grace Solutions provides showers to the unhoused on a drop in basis.
* This gives what most take for granted: basic hygiene, health and dignity
* We average 120 showers/week
TESTIMONIALS
What They’re Saying
Dana
Dana, a guest in our winter shelter, was recently laid off from his job. He says he feels respected by everyone here, like he's part of a family. It is safe, clean and free from the typical drama in most shelters. He is grateful for having a place where his basic needs are being met and he can focus on getting work.
Jackie
Jackie, a volunteer, shared that the winter shelter program provides a safe space for many people who are grateful for the community. It provides more than just shelter from the weather - it supports a sense of connection and stability for many during these uncertain and challenging times.
GET INVOLVED
We are so happy you’re interested in getting involved with Grace Solutions. We could not do this work without many volunteers, donors and partners. Anything you are able to give, makes an enormous difference. No amount of time, effort or funds is too small.
We look forward to welcoming you into the Grace Solutions Community. Let's see what we can accomplish together!
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME &
IN KIND DONATIONS
MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
The Gift of YOU
It is up to each of us to care for the well being of our community. We welcome individuals, organizations, faith communities, schools, universities and business collaborations to work with us towards achieving that vision. We specifically need help making and serving dinner to our guests. Donations of items, such as blankets, pillows and towels are always needed. Get in touch with any questions about how you can help.
Help Us Soar
For a new and very small non profit, we are running very ambitious programs. The scope of our projects require a lot of funds to operate, mainly on staff. Please consider making a one time or recurring donation through our PayPal account so that we may continue and expand this much needed work. Corporate matching is welcomed and encouraged as is holding fundraising drives through your organization, school or work.
Our Tax ID# is 31503
You can also send a check made out to Grace Solutions. Mail to Grace Solutions Attn: Phil Mastrocola 484 E. San Fernando St. San Jose, Ca. 95112
Co-creating an alternative future
We would not have been able to achieve our goals without working in collaboration with key community members. If you are an organization, faith community, school, university or business, we hope that you may consider becoming an "official sponsor" of Grace Solutions. This commitment would entail supplying the funds or required volunteers for a specific program or time frame. The security offered by an official sponsor keeps us going.
KEY PARTNERS
We work collaboratively with several partners including schools, universities, housing advocates, faith and other organizations to provide services that we otherwise would not be able to do on our own.
We offer our sincere appreciation to the following entities.
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
Grace Solutions operates out of Grace Baptist Church. They supply the space, logistics and support of our very ambitious programs. Their commitment and vision to the cause and faith in our programs are deeply appreciated. https://www.graceinsanjose.org/
WINTER FAITH COLLABORATIVE
Winter Faith Collaborative is a network of faith communities in Santa Clara County whom offer overnight and daytime shelter and safe car parks. Grace started sheltering because of the Collaborative's support. https://faithcollaborative.wordpress.com/
WESLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
A constant help for our entire 5 seasons of sheltering, Wesley UMC provides delicious and nutritious meals all year round once a week with a spirit of commitment and joy. We recently began partnering on a weekly neighborhood food distribution located at their church. Grace Solutions coordinates the food drop-off from local grocery stores.
ETHICAL CULTURAL SOCIETY OF SILICON VALLEY
The Ethical Culture Society of Silicon Valley has provided healthy meals to our guests on a regular basis since the beginning of our sheltering. We appreciate their collaborative approach of making meals for our guests.
ON ROUTE 22
On Route 22 provides empowerment classes for our female guests in our HOPE program. In a collaborative supportive environment, goal setting and exploration of feelings are covered.
MARTHA'S KITCHEN
Martha's Kitchen provides daily prepared hot meals for our winter shelter. The meals are well balanced, nutritious, using quality ingredients. Their help has been invaluable.
If you would like to become a key partner with Grace Solutions, please get in touch with us.
We welcome your support!