“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11
Shepherd’s Gate exists to meet the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of women and children suffering from homelessness, addiction and domestic violence through the love of Jesus Christ, equipping them to lead lives of faith, hope and love, and to reach out to others in His name.
Shepherd’s Gate specializes in providing safe places where women and their children can discover healing and freedom from life-controlling trauma issues through the power of Jesus Christ. (Single adult women and mothers) Together with community partners, we are committed to empower and equip women to transform their lives with a lifetime commitment to recovery.
Shepherd’s Gate helps women and children escape abuse, addiction, sex trafficking, and homelessness. We are so much more than a shelter. Through the support of friends like you, women and children have safe shelter, meals, and a long-term 12-16 month Christ-centered residential program that helps in every area of their lives: physical, spiritual, emotional, parenting, education & career, legal, financial, family reunification, etc. Plus we have a full program for children so they too can find healing and thrive in life. We are one of the few programs for older children. With the help of donors, foundations, churches and corporations, this program is completely free for women that are in critical need.
Generous donors completely support this program and that is why it is totally free for every woman and child that enters.
Many of us look at a problem like “homelessness” and think: this is way too big for me. California native AliceAnn Cantelow looked at it and thought: I’ll do what I can and trust God to do the rest. Shepherd’s Gate began in 1983 out of AliceAnn’s tiny 2-bedroom home and since then has helped over 15,000 women and their children find hope and healing.
AliceAnn started small: she had a calling on her life to help families from her own 2-bedroom home near Sunol, CA. But she knew there were so many more women and children that still needed help.
In 1984, AliceAnn purchased a larger home in Livermore with the help of a few other couples in the community. This 3-bedroom home provided women and children with up to 30 days of safe shelter. She officially formulated Shepherd’s Gate as a 501c3 non-profit.
Shepherd’s Gate was forced to turn more than 500 women and children away due to a lack of space. AliceAnn and her team began plans to build a 3-acre Shepherd’s Gate campus in Livermore. They wanted to move beyond 30-day stays to provide long-term care for more women and children.
In 1996, AliceAnn retired, and now another act of obedience was required. Steve and Carla McRee sensed God calling them to guide this nonprofit through what they knew would be a challenging period of growth.
In May of 2000, the first phase of the Livermore campus opened, providing a home for up to 25 women and children. By 2005, a second Residence Hall and 5 graduate cottages were added, bringing the full capacity to help 70 individuals. Our Alumni transitional cottages were made possible with the help of HomeAid of Northern California and Shea Homes.
In 2004, Signature Properties custom-built Shepherd’s Gate a 7,600 sq. ft. home in Brentwood, CA for only one dollar. This allowed us to open our second campus in January of 2006. Shepherd’s Gate began with AliceAnn’s small act of obedience 30 years prior, but our efforts on behalf of homeless women and children continue today because countless other friends, volunteers, and donors have also said “yes” to God’s call.
In 2018, Carol Patterson became the new Chief Executive Officer of Shepherd’s Gate. Carol’s expertise in nonprofit ministry, finance, and operations positions her to be a visionary leader for our organization. However, her tremendous passion for homeless and abused women and children in the Bay Area is her most important asset. She has been called by God to advance the organization just like her predecessor.
In 2020, we launched a 3 phase plan to expand our Brentwood campus. Phase 1 was completed in June, 2021 with a new learning & career center, after school program, and two additional offices for case management. This was made possible with the help of Signature Properties and HomeAid of Northern California. We are in the planning stage for Phase 2 to add transitional cottages for our alumni, and Phase 3 will add an onsite playground for the children.
CEO
Carol Patterson began serving as the CEO in January of 2018. Previously, Carol served as Vice President at Cityteam for over 17 years where she focused on homelessness and addiction across the United States. Her expertise in nonprofit ministry, finance, and operations have positioned her to be a visionary leader to advance the organization. She is a hand’s on leader that serves alongside an amazing team that God has called to Shepherd’s Gate.
However, it is Carol’s tremendous passion for homeless and abused women and children in the Bay Area that is her most important asset. She brings a deep faith in Jesus Christ to help more women and children transform their lives. Carol continues Shepherd’s Gate’s mission and advancement to expand our programs to meet the ever growing needs in our community.
Did you know that your gift could be doubled for an even greater impact? Many companies have matching gift programs for financial donations or volunteer hours. Search your company below for more information. Here is Shepherd’s Gate 501 c3 nonprofit number for our company paperwork: 94-2902803. We are so grateful for your support!
