CAREavan Program Provides Home For Family Experiencing Homelessness

From Community and Recreation Services: A local family who have been living out of their car for over a year will have a home just in time for the holidays.

The Martin family (we’re using a different name to protect their privacy) lost their home over a year ago, and have been living out of a car ever since. Although Mr. Martin works two jobs, it wasn’t enough to cover living expenses for the family of six.

The family became part of CAREavan, a program created by Union City's Community and Recreation Services Department to give homeless families a safe place to park their cars and sleep for the night. The program, which also offers access to facilities, laundry, showers, and meals, was started in partnership with the Union City Kids’ Zone, Union City, and several nonprofits and churches in May 2016 to help similar families who have children attending school in NHUSD.

When a mobile home owned by Union City recently became available, city staff realized this could become a permanent home for the Martins. The Central Park West home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, making it large enough to accommodate the two parents and four children.

The mobile home needed some upkeep, so recent graduates from the Cypress Mandela program volunteered their time and training to repaint, install new flooring and cabinets, renovate the bathrooms, and more. Program volunteers spent over 10 days in total working on the Central Park West home.

Kids’ Zone and Compassion Network have contributed home goods, furniture, and household supplies, as well as nonperishable food to stock the kitchen. Other community members who wished to stay anonymous donated additional furniture and home goods.

Thanks to these generous donations, the Martins will have a fully furnished home with affordable rent--and they'll be receiving keys to their new home on Saturday, December 24, just in time for the holidays.

Major funding was provided by the City of Union City, and by Home Depot.
Labor was provided by Cypress Mandela and the City of Union City's Community and Recreation Services department.
Home goods, furniture, and household supplies provided by Kids’ Zone and Compassion Network.

Cypress Mandela graduates Pedro and Emilio donated their time and skills to give a homeless family a new home

Clare, Mary, and Nora prepare the kitchen for its new family

Photos courtesy of Community and Recreation Services