St. John's Program for Women and Children assists families in transitioning from crisis to self-sustainability. Program participants begin their journey in the structured environment at the shelter, developing the vision, hope, road map and the tools to break the cycle of dependence. In the next step, at Plates Cafe, they build the work ethic, skills and references to achieve long term employment. The third step, Greenway Village, provides them with the housing and ongoing support to progress towards living independently. The final step culminates in the participants becoming self-sustaining, supporting their families without government assistance. Unlike other programs that focus only on shelter, or on training, or on housing, St. Johns program is UNIQUE and comprehensive in its nature, guiding program participants through the whole JOURNEY providing much greater value to the program participants. Ultimately, St. Johns is unlike any other program. It is an INVESTMENT in the long term goal that single mothers with children will become independent and positive contributors to our community.

The Shelter

St. John’s Shelter Program for Women and Children is Sacramento’s only shelter which is exclusively dedicated to supporting homeless women with children. St. John’s strives to advance women from a point of crisis to a position of self-sufficiency in their lives. Since 1985, the program has provided a safe and supportive haven to more than 25,000 displaced homeless women and children.

Originating as an emergency shelter, today St. John’s offers a 90-day program focused on reintegrating homeless women with children into our community as self-sufficient and productive citizens. The program is rooted in one-on-one case management and provides comprehensive services to its residents. Residents develop a Progress Plan with weekly and monthly goals, as well as community service requirements. Residents are also required to attend weekly classes and workshops on topics such as job skills and training, parenting, fitness and nutrition, budgeting and financial management, basic computer skills, domestic violence counseling, mental health counseling, and drug and alcohol treatments programs. St John’s Shelter also offers a GED training program for its residents and alumnae.

St. John’s also offers an After-Care Program, which was developed to assist women and children on their road to self-sufficiency after leaving the shelter and completing the 90-day program. The After-Care Program offers a continuation of training, classes, and counseling to help ensure that the program’s graduates successfully reintegrate into our community. Graduates receive continued job training and placement services, assistance in furnishing homes, transportation assistance, case management assistance, and the support of a wide network of successful alumnae.