Dream Center success factors

1. Led with need and experience2. Kept community involved3. Need and community input informed next

steps

1. Lead with need and facts

• Make very clear the need• Prove the experience of organization• Research the issue nationally and locally,

including solutions

NEED

There are 1,128 homeless youth aged 12 to 24 years old

in Sonoma County

California has high poverty rate

$16,640

$29,626

EXPERIENCE

SAY was founded in 1971

SAY serves all of Sonoma County

• 2,000 youth annually county-wide• Since we were founded we have served

35,500 youth and families in our County• SAY does three things: – Housing– Counseling– Jobs

SAY Housing – since 1991

SAY has been operating housing services since 1991

Dr. James E Coffee House Teen Shelter, Ripley Avenue• Serves runaway and homeless teens ages 12 – 17

Mary and Jose Tamayo Village, Yulupa Avenue• Serves former foster children and homeless youth ages 18 -24

Stepping Stone, Russell Avenue• Serves former foster children ages 18 - 21

RESEARCH

Best practices inform Dream

2. Involve the community

• Prepare for opposition• Galvanize support via public relations• Make regular, continued contact

Lead the message

The Dream Center IS NOT a:

-Homeless shelter-Walk-in emergency shelter -Halfway house-Soup kitchen-Drug treatment-Center for out-of-county

youth

The Dream Center IS

• affordable housing• services to help former

foster children and homeless youth get the skills they need to – get and keep jobs– further their

education – pursue their dreams

Dream Center defined

• SAY’s Dream Center will offer health and wellness services, employment training and affordable housing.

Community feedback incorporated

• Size• Phasing• Background checks• Sex offender database

checks• Off-site intake• Increased, on-site interior

recreation• Exterior social recreation

no later than 9PM

• Guest policies• Good neighbor policies• On-site cameras• Overnight on-site

security• Community engagement,

volunteering, and mentoring opportunities for neighbors

SAY addressed community concerns

• Safety• Police calls• Size• Property values• Sustainability

Learn More… Take a Tour

Tour SAY’s Tamayo Village Housing or the Teen Shelter

Tour Tamayo Village on Fri, 4/18, at 12 noonTour Coffee House Teen Shelter on Tues, 4/15, at 12 noonRSVP to cat@saysc.org

Out of respect and privacy of our tenants, please do not attempt to tour the Property at any other time or trespass onto the property.

3. Next Steps

• The need and research led us to the National Conference on Ending Homelessness

• Quarterly community meetings at Dream Center

• Future partnerships and advocacy