Saint John's Program for Real Change

Organization Description

There is no easy way to escape living in crisis.  Since our founding on the steps of St. John's Lutheran Church in 1985, we've challenged many homeless mothers with children to grapple wiht that difficult truth.

And not everyone can.  It takes a certain type of woman to stand up to everything that's ever damaged or broken her and take full, complete control of her life.  It's difficult.  It's painful.  And again, it's not for everyone.

Saint John's is for women who wants to make the leap.  Who will fight the pervasive influence of homelessness, poverty, and abuse.  Who will make an empowered decision to rise up and become a productive community member.  Who understands, unequivocally, that the decision to create a better life - for herself and for her family - rests entirely on her.

Program Information

Saint John’s Program for Real Change operates the largest residential program for formerly homeless women and children in the Sacramento.Our mission is to unleash the potential of women and children in crisis by breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence, one family at a time. Since 1985, we have provided more than 30,000 formerly homeless women and children with the tools to truly break the generational cycle of poverty. Through our up-to-18-month program, we empower mothers to rise above devastating circumstances and achieve job-readiness and self-sustainability.

Health & Safety

All (100%) of the women we serve live below poverty level and are dealing with multiple and complex issues that are barriers to employment and their ability to become self-sustaining: 86% suffer from addiction, 61% are victims of domestic violence, 65% have a criminal history, 39% struggle with mental health conditions, 65% do not have a high school diploma and 100% lack a stable work history or have never held a job. When children arrive at Saint John's, their school attendance is erratic, most have changed schools two to three times a year. The vast majority have higher-than-normal Adverse Childhood Event (ACE) scores. A small number of our residents have tested positive for COVID over the past 12 months. We have followed our stated protocol to isolate and protect other residents and have been successful at keeping positive cases to a minimum.

We require all volunteers to wear closed in shoes while volunteering.

Students are supervised by the staff member in charge of any area. For example, our chef oversees all kitchen volunteer, our childcare staff oversees volunteers in childcare, etc.
Additional requirements and/or considerations
  • Background Check (e.g. fingerprinting/livescan, driving record)
  • Fingerprinting or Livescan is Required
Address 
2443 Fair Oaks Blvd., #369
Sacramento, CA 95825
United States
General Phone 
(916) 453-1482
Website:
http://saintjohnsprogram.org/
Program(s) 
Service Learning
Organization type 
Human, Social, or Employment Services (Faith-based)
Focus Population(s)
Families
Focus Area(s)
Food & Housing Security
Hours of operation 

We are open for volunteers 7 days a week, 9 am - 6 pm.

Maximum students 
10