Program Description:

Rancho Santa Fe Women’s Fund awarded Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego (CCDSD) a grant to provide services to women who are unhoused through Rachel’s Program. With $75,000 in grant funding, CCDSD aimed to provide women with 1,041 nights of service through Rachel’s Program. A night of service would not only include safe shelter but also access to basic need fulfillment like showers and meals, as well as case management and housing assistance from Caseworker Coaches.  Entrance into Rachel’s Program also helps women become connected to more services, either through referrals by case managers or through internal referrals to other programs under CCDSD.

Results:

In the funding year, Rachel’s Program served 1,188 women with over 12,000 supportive services.  Each service was recorded by caseworker coaches and each woman who received services through Rachel’s Program was entered into the County’s intake service, HMIS.  The $75,000 awarded was divided among the aspects of Rachel’s Program: the night shelter, the day center, and the 24/7 shelter. Funds were pooled within each service area and spent on operational priorities where funding gaps existed, allowing the program to continue serving women with gold-standard care. Rachel’s operations are supported by multiple public grants, which keep the buildings operational. 

Future Plans:

CCDSD is dedicated to ensuring that Rachel’s Program is funded and able to continue service.  Rachel’s Program is expanding this fall to provide 210 beds to women and women with children who are experiencing homelessness.  This is a project funded by the San Diego Housing Commission, in a strong, sustainable partnership.  Generous donors continue to support Rachel’s Program thanks to strong community recognition and an understanding that the program serves the community beyond supporting women who are unhoused.