Tim Time...

A message from the Executive Director

The future. What does it hold for you and me? What does it hold for the thousands of homeless men, women and children living in Contra Costa? Is there a crystal ball somewhere that has
a window on the events to come? Has anyone invented a telescope that can see into the next year?
As I’m writing this, it’s really cold and wet outside. The other day my thermometer at home said it was 28 degrees! When I was a kid, on cold, rainy Saturdays my folks would let me watch old black-and-white science fiction movies with creepy aliens and goofy, fake spaceships, some filmmaker’s vision of what the future might look like.
What does the future look like for today’s homeless Contra Costans? Their immediate future is probably like this—living daily with the reality of being cold, wondering when the next meal or warm bed will be available and praying that, somehow, their children
will be safe. One of the amazing qualities about homeless families is that they rarely give up hope. They hope and pray daily for a better future for themselves and their children, a future where they will have a warm, safe home, have food in their cupboards and a good job.
In this month’s newsletter, you will find the usual stories about our dedicated volunteers and a highlight of one of our wonderful corporate sponsors. We also included a survey that will only take you a few minutes to complete. This survey is the first step in SHELTER, Inc.’s strategizing for the future.
Over the next few months, we will be charting SHELTER, Inc.’s near term future and your survey response can help us determine how and where we dedicate our resources. Our work is successful and meaningful only in partnership with you, the community, whether “you” are an individual, small business, faith group, school, civic group, foundation, corporation or government representative. We need to know what you think because the future is up to all of us.
The future will happen, whether we plan for it or not. Help us determine how we will address family homelessness and affordable housing in Contra Costa! Help us choose a future where we can continue to provide hope for thousands of less fortunate Contra Costa residents.
As always, on behalf of our clients, staff and Board of Directors, thank you for your continued support.

Tim O’Keefe