Having a safe place to sleep is only the first step to breaking the cycles of poverty, abuse, addiction and homelessness. Through the whole woman approach, Shepherd’s Gate residents receive help for all aspects of their lives. This long-term approach helps them thrive in their new lives and build a strong future for their children!
Overcoming abuse, addiction and homelessness is never truly over. Thanks to partners like you, the Alumni Program offers continued care such as Bible studies, relapse prevention classes, career counseling and more. Our alumni group meets weekly to encourage each other and to continue their progress.
In fact, over 80% of graduates have permanent housing, jobs or are in college, are active members in their church and continue to live a sober life.
The Alumni Program wouldn’t be possible without the support of partners like you!
Most of the children here come to us having experienced horrific trauma. But through the support of partners like you, they experience God’s love. By focusing on all aspects of each child, they can overcome the pain of abuse and neglect.
At Shepherd’s Gate, we know it takes more than a few nights of food and shelter to truly change a life. In order to help women and children escape cycles of addiction, homelessness, and abuse, and to find lasting change, we must care for the whole person. The residential program offers a comprehensive approach to addressing the physical, spiritual, emotional, educational, and social needs of the woman so that she can learn the skills needed to live independently in the community.
The Short-Term Program addresses the immediate needs of the woman and introduce her to recovery and life at Shepherd’s Gate through Life Skills and recovery classes.
The Road to Freedom Program is designed to help women break free of the destructive cycles from their past and find healing and restoration.
Women who have obtained employment, are working to establish a savings and reduce their debt are eligible for an additional 6 months in our transitional cottages on campus.
It’s important that our Alumni continue their life long learning and recovery for themselves and their children. Our Alumni groups meet once a month on campus to support each other and be inspired by guest speakers.
“I know I made the right decision to come to Shepherd’s Gate. It completely changed my life.”
—Shepherd’s Gate Resident
Thanks to partners like you, the women and children have all of their basic needs met. That includes meals, safe shelter and clean clothes.
The residents complete Bible studies and classes to learn about God’s love for them. Learning about His love key to helping them change their lives.
Equipping the women for live after they graduate is key to helping them thrive. Residents complete life-skills classes such as parenting, budgeting and money management. They also have access to job-skills classes and continuing education so they can be independent once they’re on their own.
Many of the children at Shepherd’s Gate have experienced horrific trauma. Similar to the women’s program, the Whole Child program addresses all aspect of each child’s recovery so they can overcome their painful pasts.
Overcoming addiction and healing from abuse is difficult. Your prayers and support encourage them as they walk through the process step by step. The Christ-centered Road to Freedom program helps them conquer their pasts so they can build a new future! We support Celebrate Recovery, AA, NA, Al-Anon, SMART and the 12 Step process created by Alcoholics Anonymous. Each women has the ability to have a sponsors and spiritual mentor from within the community.
Just as each woman is unique, so is their journey to recovery. Personalized care with a caseworker helps guide them through the process. No one ever has to walk alone. They have someone supporting them and holding their hand as they work to change their life.
We meet the essential needs of each women and children so that they can focus on their recovery without having to worry about where your next meal will come from, or where they will sleep tonight. All their physical needs will be met when they enter the program. Some women come with just the clothes on their backs.
This program is 100% free to those we serve. Individual donors, foundation, churches, and companies support this vital program so we can freely provide our services to those in critical need.
Our campuses in Livermore and Brentwood both reflect our belief that a welcoming, home-like environment helps women and children feel loved and secure as they heal.
Shepherd’s Gate is a Biblically-based program that incorporates Biblical principles into daily living. When women begin to understand God’s love and grace towards them, amazing things start to happen in their lives. Many women come to us with no faith or religious background at all but want to take those first steps towards discovering who God is in their lives.
We believe in the life-transforming power of the love of Jesus Christ. Bible studies, devotionals, prayer, and worship are the foundation of the program.
In the later state of the program, women will focus on the Learning & Career Center to help them build a future. Each woman has identified goals for their live – achieving a GED, going to college, obtaining job related certificates, computer skills, and employment researching.
In the Learning & Career center they will achieve certificates in computer skills, Microsoft Office, Google Suites and Office Communications. These certificates will prepare them to advance in their careers.
Volunteers from multiple backgrounds help teach courses what will assist our women in their careers. Some volunteers provide individual tutoring to help women that need additional help in reading and math skills.
The children at Shepherd’s Gate are provided trauma-informed care from ages newborn up to 18 years old. (up to 18 years old for girls and 12 years old for boys). Our children receive individualized case management services, referrals, and education. Our facility is equipped with a children’s play therapy room, computer stations, and age approiate outdoor & indoor play areas (different setup at each campus).
When children arrive at Shepherd’s Gate, our primary focus is to help them feel safe and address their basic needs. Many of our children have not had a bed to sleep in, clean clothes, showers, three meals a day, or medical, eye and dental appointments. With the help of donors and volunteers, we are able to meet these needs on a daily basis.
The onsite nursery provides a safe and structured environment for our little ones as they learn letters, numbers, Bible stories, identifying their feelings, and how to trust again. When a child feels safe and loved, they can thrive.
Our school-aged kids participate in the Afterschool Program where they receive tutoring, group processing, online education advancement, field trips, and Bible Studies. We also work with professional resources for pet therapy, music therapy, art therapy and play therapy to help children process their personal trauma experiences so they too can find healing. They learn basic life skills and computer education to equip them for a successful future. School-aged children attend the local schools in the area (kindergarten to high school). During COVID, our children have distance learning class time on-campus in the Afterschool Program.
We also partner with the Hazelden Betty Ford Center to provide family support for those affected by addiction. Their specialized children’s counselors provide education and ways to develop coping skills for our children. Recovery is stronger when all family members understand the nature of addiction and are involved in the healing process.
Our staff works closely with Child Protective Services and the family court systems to reunify children with their mothers. On average, 12 children a year are reunified with their mothers through the family court system. For more information regarding legal case management – please visit our legal assistance area of the website.
Some women are working within the legal court system to regain full or partial custody of their children. Through local legal partners, child protective services, and the court system, we provide an environment of support to reunify mothers with their children. We primarily work with the family court systems & Child Protective Services in Alameda County, San Francisco and Contra Costa County but we also work with any court system in California or out of state.
We also provide a safe living environment where children can come for supervised visits with their mothers on-campus – hours, days, weekends, or summer vacations while they work through legal custody arrangements.
Some women might need legal assistance for other reasons such as DUI, restraining orders, drug court, etc. We work with outside legal assistance to help our women resolve their individual cases.
Our Road to Freedom program supports women as they learn how to face life’s challenges in a healthy way. With the help of sponsors, women work their way through a 12-Step program designed to help them break free of the destructive cycles from their past, and find healing and restoration. We focus on Bible-based recovery studies and support: Celebrate Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Relapse Prevention.
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!
