2024 End of Year Newsletter

Dear CSN Friends & Family,

Community Support Network is pleased to be able to report that our innovative supportive housing programs are being highlighted across the United States as model programs to resolve homelessness for transitional age youth and adults. With new funding and growing community support, CSN is expanding in groundbreaking, partnership supported ways, allowing us to serve more people in the community with both housing and the holistic wraparound care needed for long term success.

This month, we are kicking off the newest program, Keep People Housed, in collaboration with other providers. The goal is to predict potential homelessness, preventing people and families from entering the cycle entirely.

CSN’s transitional age housing and trauma-based care programs are growing and improving, and we have expanded to provide safe and supportive housing to 10 transitional aged youth who were housed by local organization SAY prior to its bankruptcy. The primary measures of success for this population include maintaining housing, increased income and/or education, and using positive coping skills. This last year our outcomes have been incredible! 100% of our youth maintained a stable living situation, 83% increased income and education, and 100% used learned positive coping skills.

In October, we onboarded Jenny Belway as our first Community Development Director. Under her leadership we plan to create an endowment for long-term sustainability, new, diversified funding sources, and a stronger community connection. CSN is grateful for the generous support of the community that is allowing us to meet the needs of the homeless and marginalized individuals that we serve. Now, more than ever, we appreciate your support in helping us connect individuals in need with model programs.

As we all move into the holiday season, CSN wants to share our deep appreciation with each and every one of you. Without the love, support, and abundance that our community generously shares with CSN, we could not provide the compassionate supportive housing that we do. It is truly noble to step up and support the youth whose own families could not. The skillful intervention required to create a brighter future for former foster youth is effectively done because of you. We appreciate you.

We are grateful for the community of people who have helped us put on and attended the Boots & Vines event in June, and to the Martinelli family for hosting this amazing community event. We are also grateful to Sweet T’s for donating their amazing food and helping us serve the guests. Now, more than ever, the wisdom within each of us that knows how to build and maintain healthy communities is called to front and center. Thank you for helping us make sure former foster youth and others who have survived trauma are supported by a community that cares.

Sincerely,
Tom Bieri, Executive Director

CSN Program Announcements & Updates

Leader in Transformative Care

CSN’s Housing and Wellness Program has been a leader in the transformative innovative CalAIM Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports Services. CSN recently added to our housing capacity two master leases, each with room for three residents. The program allows CSN to introduce individuals to stable housing who may not have the opportunity otherwise. The residents pay rent, purchase their own supplies and are responsible for keeping their home clean and functional. When they leave the program in good standing, they are provided with a favorable rental history to assist when applying for their new home.

To date we have successfully housed 20 people at these properties, 18 of whom have since moved into permanent independent housing, are employed and stable. This is a unique opportunity to meet the needs of the population in a new and proven successful way.

Getting A Second Chance: One TAY Client’s Story

Most of the individuals experiencing homelessness who are served by CSN report very challenging trauma histories. The following stories were written by youth we recently housed.

Struggling with the long-term effects of trauma they were exposed to in childhood, many individuals experience debilitating hopelessness and pain.

CSN understands that the first stage of recovering from trauma is establishing safety.

AS is a resident of our TAY apartments:

“My success is that I’m still alive. I thought I was going to lose everything, and my life was over when SAY closed but then CSN came out of nowhere and was just my lifeline or whatever you want to call it.

Ever since then I’ve been more secure and confident in my ability to persevere and continue on living.

I’ve only missed two of the weekly meetings, seeking safety meetings run by CSN’s Youth Housing Director, since they started. I get a lot of insight from them. The weekly meetings are very good.”

Keep People Housed Collaborative Program Launched

Preventing homelessness is one step closer to ending it—so let’s keep people housed in the first place. Together with local partners, we’re providing essential support for individuals and families at risk of homelessness.

Once the cycle of homelessness starts, it can be challenging to return to stable housing. Eviction records and financial losses can follow families for years or decades, preventing stability. So, Keep People Housed (KPH) steps in to solve a housing crisis that could lead to homelessness. KPH provides emergency financial assistance, legal representation, and more to prevent homelessness before it starts.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, we’re here for you! Visit the Keep People Housed page for more information.

Save The Date: June 7, 2025

Ticket Sales Open January 1, 2025!

Live music & gourmet food—the 7th Annual Boots & Vines Fundraiser benefits Community Support Network and the work provided to youth and adults in Sonoma County experiencing homelessness.

Hosted in the heart of the Martinelli Pinot Vineyards, the evening will provide breathtaking views of Sonoma County while world-class Surf and Turf (cooked onsite by our own Sonoma County famous When Pigs Fly), Sweet T’s sides, and Martinelli wines will be served. A live wine big board, live auction, and dancing are just a few activities to fill the night with fun, while supporting a great cause!