how to start a homeless shelter in California?

Question

I would like to start a shelter to help homeless women get on there feet but I don't know where to start and I don't have any capital or a place to house them. I want this foundation to help them in every way possible. I have many ideas on what this shelter will do for them and for me but I don't know where to start

Answer 1

Well you could try starting by calling your city hall. Talk to them to see if they can steer you in the right direction. Maybe they can give you the number of somebody to contact.

Or, actually, go to a homeless shelter and straight to the director and ask him/her! That would be your best bet.

Good luck!

Answer 2

First off, you need to be an expert in running or funding a shelter. If you have no experience, no one is going to fund you for this endeavor.

Start by volunteering at nonprofits that serve the homeless - this can include homeless shelters, "career closets", domestic violence shelters, soup kitchens, career development centers, YWCAs and faith-based programs (activities organized by mosques, temples or churches). Learn about how they do what they do, and become an expert yourself. You may find that the best focus of your energies is in helping to expand these existing efforts.

In addition, one of the best things you can do is to get a degree yourself -- an undergrad degree (four years) in sociology, psychology or nonprofit management, for instance, an associates degree (two years) in accounting, or a certificate (six months to one year) in nonprofit management. This gives you the experience and credibility to start or to be employed by an organization that serves homeless women.

In short, it's nice that you want to do this -- but now, you need to put yourself into the position to REALLY do this. Your passion isn't enough -- you need to have skills and experience that make a donor say, "hey, this person knows what she's doing, and I know that if I support her, she's going to make a difference!"