How the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara Propelled DignityMoves’ Success in Tackling Homelessness
DignityMoves, a key organization in partnership with Santa Barbara County and Good Samaritan Shelter, continues to receive tremendous community and philanthropic support in its mission to reduce homelessness and provide essential services. This support has been crucial in advancing their efforts to offer emergency housing solutions to those in need.
What Role Did the Women’s Fund Play in Supporting DignityMoves?
In 2022, the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, one of the most respected and established local organizations, recognized the innovative approach DignityMoves was taking to address homelessness. Their initial support of $75,000 provided significant credibility and positive public attention. The Fund was particularly interested in DignityMoves’ combination of Interim Supportive Housing Villages, utilizing land donated by the County, and offering extensive supportive services through partnerships with organizations like Good Samaritan.
How Does DignityMoves’ Interim Housing Model Work?
To date, DignityMoves has developed three interim housing communities in Santa Barbara County: Santa Barbara Street Village, La Posada Village off Hollister Avenue, and Hope Village in Santa Maria. These small homeless shelters offer a total of 243 beds and have the capacity to serve over 350 residents per year. The model’s effectiveness lies in its use of County land and modular construction to expedite the typically laborious process of building new housing in Santa Barbara.
This approach of using donated funds for construction and County money primarily for supportive services has ensured a high success rate in transitioning individuals from temporary housing for the homeless into permanent residences.
Why is DignityMoves a Natural Fit for the Women’s Fund?
DignityMoves aligns with the mission of the Women’s Fund, which focuses on addressing critical needs for women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County. Since 2004, the Women’s Fund has invested over $1.9 million in housing assistance for unsheltered neighbors, reinforcing affordable housing initiatives in the area.
The Santa Barbara Street Village was completed on time and on budget, serving a substantial proportion of unsheltered women living downtown. This year, the Women’s Fund supported the childcare center for the upcoming DignityMoves family village in Santa Barbara with a $125,000 grant. This grant was part of a record-breaking $1.125 million distributed to 10 local nonprofits.
Front door of Santa Barbara Street Village, DignityMoves
How Are These Efforts Transforming the Community?
The Women’s Fund has backed a series of nonprofit projects, all aimed at moving unsheltered neighbors off the streets and into permanent housing. SB ACT navigators helped identify individuals who would benefit from DignityMoves’ temporary housing programs. By partnering with Good Samaritan, DignityMoves enables residents to become “document ready,” fostering a new sense of optimism and hope.
For the Women’s Fund, these grants are an ongoing investment in the Santa Barbara community. The tangible impact aligns with their model of “changing lives together,” demonstrating the effectiveness of DignityMoves’ approach as it is replicated in other communities across California.
Get Involved with DignityMoves
Since the opening of the first community village in downtown Santa Barbara, DignityMoves and its partners have been dedicated to uplifting the lives of people experiencing homelessness in Santa Barbara County. With assistance from organizations like the Women’s Fund, providing enough housing for everyone is becoming a reality.
To support these efforts, consider reaching out to DignityMoves through their contact page to learn more about how you can contribute to this impactful work.
FAQ
What is DignityMoves?
DignityMoves is an organization focused on reducing homelessness by building interim supportive housing communities and offering extensive support services in partnership with local entities like Good Samaritan Shelter and Santa Barbara County.
How does DignityMoves’ interim housing model work?
The model utilizes County land and modular construction to expedite housing development, supported by donations and County funds for services. This approach helps transition individuals from temporary housing into permanent residences.
What is the role of the Women’s Fund in supporting DignityMoves?
The Women’s Fund has provided financial backing and credibility, recognizing DignityMoves’ innovative solutions for addressing homelessness. They have supported projects like the Santa Barbara Street Village and contributed to childcare centers for new family villages.
How can I support DignityMoves?
You can support DignityMoves by visiting their contact page to explore volunteer opportunities, donations, and advocacy efforts.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Chris Davis/Citlali Erazo; (805) 403-3170