Assist-a-Shelter - Assistance League - San JoseAssistance League

Established 2012

Not all families are benefiting equally from the upturn of the economy, so the need for community assistance for some has increased. Homeless shelters and family assistance centers are full, stretching their ability to feed, clothe and offer support to the many people who use their facilities.

At one of the city’s temporary shelters, Family Supportive Housing, Assistance League of San Jose volunteers prepare and serve meals to the residents. Volunteers also provide the children in this facility with home-baked cookies, enrichment programs and special events holiday events.

At CityTeam, another temporary shelter, Assistance League of San Jose volunteers sort and display new and usable clothing along with household items for distribution to San Jose’s residents in need.

Parisi House on the Hill, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility for young mothers with children five and under, is the latest Assistance League of San Jose project added to the Assist-a-Shelter program. The residents are recipients of children’s books, baby layettes, ALSJ teddy bears, quilts, toiletry bags, and gently used clothing. Click here for a virtual tour of Parisi House on the Hill.

During the pandemic we are still providing dinner once per month at Family Supportive Housing Shelter. Our members cook at home and deliver the meals to the shelter. We are also delivering homemade cookies for staff and residents twice per month. We were able to continue to provide children activities such as a virtual petting zoo via Zoom. In person petting zoo activities have resumed, though Assistance League members will not be present.

Halloween store at Family Supportive Housing - volunteers with costumes

Assistance League of San Jose has been delivering packages of toiletries to CityTeam. View the video above for more information on how these donations help the homeless.

Learn how Parisi House on the Hill changed a mother’s life.

Thank you so much for your time and energy in making dinner and cookies for our shelter families. Your dedication and support are greatly appreciated. Our mission at Family Supportive Housing is to guide families from homelessness into self-sufficiency. Thank you again for helping our organization reach that goal. You make a difference!

Liz Ramirez, Community Resource Manager

Thank you all at ALSJ for the great homemade cookies! The cookies are used for dessert after dinner, and in our sack lunches we make for the families. We will also start offering them as a snack during our Homework Enrichment online tutoring. We so appreciate ALSJ’s support. Stay safe!

Christi Moyer Kelly, Family Supportive Housing, Inc

Thank you and ALSJ for all of the kits you’ve donated recently! So many men and women will be blessed!

Sara Juran, Development Project Manager, CityTeam

Thank you for your donations and the support we receive throughout the year from the Assistance League of San Jose. This year alone your group has provided us with diapers, toiletries, teddy bears, holiday treats, quilts and other items in need. Every item we have received creates a lasting moment that greatly impacts the lives of our mothers and their children. We’re so lucky to have Assistance League as part of our Parisi House Family!

Pat Mitchell, Executive Director, Parisi House on the Hill

On behalf of the staff and families of Family Supportive Housing, we would like to thank you for your generous donation of new books and toys. Your donation will ensure the 35 families have a comfortable stay during their 90 days at the shelter. More importantly, they know that there are people in our community who care for them. Please know that your generosity and support make all the difference!

Jeena Banwait, Volunteer Coordinator, Family Supportive Housing, Inc